Model year record

2019 Subaru Forester

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,157 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V263000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
408,271
Reported to NHTSA
2021-04-15
Owners notified
2021-05-17

Defect description

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.

Safety risk

Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-21.

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V856000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)

Component
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
51,613
Reported to NHTSA
2019-12-02
Owners notified
2020-01-31

Defect description

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.

Safety risk

An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V065000

Steering: electric power assist system

Component
Steering: electric power assist system
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
10,417
Reported to NHTSA
2019-02-06
Owners notified
2019-02-07

Defect description

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.

Safety risk

Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet. Subaru has notified dealers and they will inspect the steering gearbox, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUC-88.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Visibility/wiper3717,800 mi
Unknown or other1516,158 mi
Electrical system1448,700 mi
Engine11712,247 mi
Power train436,500 mi
Visibility: windshield3315,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking3012,660 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings2612,660 mi
Fuel/propulsion system243,500 mi
Service brakes2417,000 mi
Vehicle speed control246,000 mi
Structure: body234,389 mi
Air bags2013,099 mi
Steering1610,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control1280,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)101,000 mi
Suspension7102,911 mi
Engine and engine cooling6122,000 mi
Lane departure: blind spot detection6
Lane departure: warning6
Seat belts610,500 mi
Visibility617,600 mi
Wheels65,000 mi
Back over prevention: warnings5
Lane departure: assist510,000 mi
Seats52,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic534,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal521,000 mi
Exterior lighting3100 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2600 mi
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery: thermal management: sensor/thermostat260,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate21,345 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut2
Tether, lower anchor (on car seat or vehicle)2
Back over prevention: rearview system braking1
Equipment: electrical121,419 mi
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)1500 mi
Lane departure114,000 mi
Lane departure: lane keep: steering assist147,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission136,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: internal: gears127,000 mi
Structure: body: hood1

The 2018 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2020 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.