2019 SUBARU Forester Problems & Complaints
Real owner complaints and problems reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). View common issues by component.
821
Complaints Reported
Complaints by Component
VISIBILITY/WIPER
346 complaints
I started my car and turned on the windshield wipers and fluid to clear the windshield. Within a few seconds of wiping the windshield, I heard a pop and a crack directly down the center of the windshield starting at the top developed along the line of the eyesight system and rearview mirror mount. There were no known rock chips and I had not experienced any debris hitting this section of the windshield. This appears to be a stress crack.
Jun 07, 2024
Windshield spontaneously cracked without any known impact or damage. Vehicle was not in motion at time. Sitting at stoplight heard a ping and then noticed crack across bottom of windshield affecting visibility. No other vehicles were near enough or in motion that debris could have been at fault.
Jan 09, 2024
Went to a daycare to do a tour at 9am, parked my car and was gone for about 30 minutes and when I came back, there was a large crack (8inches) that starts from the bottom of the middle windshield. There was no indent or nothing that could have caused this.
Jan 06, 2024
The visor will not stay in place and drops into my visibility while driving, blocking partial view of the road. Subaru has had this issue for years and has not fixed the issue with their visors.
Jul 30, 2023
On 6-11-23, while parked in a private driveway, the front windshield of our 2019 Subaru Forester spontaneously cracked. This 20-inch crack ran diagonally from the upper left corner down toward the center of the dashboard. We are not aware of any impact that may have caused such a crack. The day was overcast, drizzle rain, ambient temperature was about 66 degrees F.
Jun 12, 2023
+ 341 more complaints for this component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
95 complaints
The auto stop/start feature occasionally causes the entire vehicle to totally shut off. This happened 3 times 2 years ago and I was to it was a low battery. On 10/4/25, the car is stopped at a red light on a four lane highway and when my wife stepped on the gas to start, the vehicle totally shut off. After panicking, I helped her turn the electronics on in order to start the flashers, then move the vehicle from drive to park, and then restart the vehicle. With cars moving at 55 miles an hour toward a green light we were very concerned about getting hit from behind. Luckily, we were not hit. The Subaru dealer then suggested the problem might be the ECM and they charged us $203 for a software update. It is not clear what causes this total vehicle shutdown but it is a significant safety issue that puts the vehicle and occupants at risk. I hope the Subaru engineers have identified and fixed this issue in future models.
Oct 10, 2025
Cracked windshield - Subaru windshields are weak and crack easily. I've been driving 45 years, never had a cracked windshield. I bought a new 2019 Subaru Forester and have had 3 cracked windshields. Ridiculous and dangerous. They need to be recalled and pay for replacements. The first crack happened about 1 1/2 years after purchase, I took to dealership for replacement and paid ~$1,200. Then second crack was a star crack, and I had it sucked out/fixed (~$250). And now, vehicle is 5 years old 45k miles on it and has a huge crack in the middle of the windshield in front of the passenger side.
Jul 07, 2025
Since I purchased the vehicle, I have experienced recurring problems with the starter system, affecting the car's performance and reliability. Despite receiving regular maintenance and being evaluated at the authorized Subaru dealership in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the issue remains unresolved. I was informed that even if I replace the part with a new one, the failure could continue, as the component is still being manufactured under the same part number. As a preventive measure, I also replaced the battery to rule out a possible cause, but unfortunately, the problem persists. This is particularly concerning because the car has shut off in the middle of traffic, at intersections, and while waiting at traffic lights, which poses a serious safety risk to me and other drivers. I understand that this issue may be common among other vehicles of the same make and model, and I respectfully request that it be investigated as a potential case for a technical service campaign or safety recall. Additionally, I ask that my case be reviewed for a goodwill repair, as the issue has been present since early in the vehicle’s use—even if the standard warranty has expired. I look forward to your response and to a fair and timely resolution. I sincerely appreciate your attention and assistance in this matter.
Apr 30, 2025
cracked windshield
Dec 23, 2024
The rear window glass imploded while on the freeway. This created a loud bang noise and sent small pieces of glass throughout the passenger cabin creating a substantial distraction.
Jul 16, 2024
+ 90 more complaints for this component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
71 complaints
Subaru Forester 2019 January - February of 2025: issue initially presented as the hatch beeping, indicating that it was not closing fully. The hatch would not pop back up as if something was in the way, just remain down & continue beeping. The car would then not start, with only the hatch beeping noise (beep beep beep) going off. When I drove it, it kept warning me that the hatch wasn't shut completely. After I parked it in the garage, the next morning it would be dead. The issue was supposedly resolved in February of 2025 as I replaced the battery on my own and replaced this part: 29182AA060. Schomp Subuaru reported no issues with their diagnostic tests. November 30th - December 2025: I started the car just fine. When I opened the trunk and closed it, it gave me three beeps and wouldn't fully close, even if I pushed it shut and locked it. The next morning, the car would not start - the battery was dead. The tow company also could not jump start the car. As the car was being towed, the hatch alert was the only thing working/beeping. Even when not trying to use the hatch. I have used the car every single day up until this issue started. I have not left the keys in the car. The car is now back at the dealership. The unreliability of this can/has left me and my passengers stranded and cold. The dealership found no issue the last time this occurred even though there was a class action lawsuit about this exact issue, but somehow my car was not considered included. I cannot have Subaru tell me that there is no issue again.
Dec 02, 2025
My 2019 forester touring. The sound system will randomly raise to extremely high volume. It’s an extremely loud, distorted, static version of what you were listening to. You cannot turn it down with the volume control with knob or power it off. It is unresponsive and you must wait 5-10 seconds for the sound to go back to normal. Not knowing when it’s going to happen scares the heck out of me. I’m afraid to drive off the road or cause an accident when being startled in this way. This has been happening since one month of my owning the car. (Ordered it, got it October of 2018] I’ve had it to the dealer numerous times and called Subaru of America. I was told if the problem doesn’t duplicate at the dealer nothing can be done. I only have 24k miles on it. It’s not safe! I now a have grand baby to drive. I also wear a hearing aide now which I cannot drive with as it’s way worse with the high volume the problem produces.
Sep 04, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, there was an alarm heard before several unknown warning lights illuminated and the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to 35 MPH. The contact shifted to neutral to restart the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and waited for a while before continuing to drive. The eyesight, brake light, automatic transmission, oil temp, and several other warning lights illuminated intermittently. The failure occurred a second time on the same day. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer whenever the lights were illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Feb 04, 2025
The issue started last year over a period of several months when my car kept stalling at a traffic light. After stopping on a red light my car stalled. I had to shut off the car then restart to get it going. Had the battery replaced and problem was gone until this week. Car stalled at the traffic light again (in the middle of busy downtown and being the 1st car at the intersection), but this time it wouldn't restart and battery light turned on when attemped to restart. Called Subaru road assist and requested jumpstart service. While waiting for road assist to arrive, attempted to jumpstarts with a manual jump starter, but didn't work. Attempted with the jumpstart cables, but still didn't work. Subaru assist arrived and was able to successfully jumpstart my car. The Subaru tech assessed my battery and showed 75% battery life. Drove home on the freeway for about 25 miles. The next day drove to and home from work (25 miles reach way) with no issues. The following day, my car wouldn't start from my home. Jumpstarted with the manual one and brought it to the shop a few miles away. Got to the shop and turned off the engine. When turning on again, it wouldn't start.
Jan 14, 2025
As I was driving, every warning light came on, my car emitted a high pitched alarm and the car stopped working. This happened twice. I had to put my car in park. Turn off the car and turn it back on to make it driveable. I took it to the dealer and was informed that the battery and starter required replacement. The battery was covered by an extended warranty (I paid $100 or 20% of the cost), but the starter was not covered by any warranty since my car has 41K miles and is 5 yrs old. I contacted Subaru and they agreed to pay $800 towards the $1209.13 repair. My Subaru Case # 241016-1801159. I believe my starter failed because of the automatic start/stop engine feature. I asked the dealer if the starter failure could have been detected during a regular maintenance and they said no.
Oct 23, 2024
+ 66 more complaints for this component
ENGINE
35 complaints
At a stop light, auto stop engaged. When foot put on gas, engine died and every warning light the car has appeared on the dash board. It took several tries, but I did get the car started again. Took to dealer who confirmed the incident and replaced the starter at 38, 126 miles. The fuel pump relay was also replaced. After this incident, the cancel auto stop/start button was used most of the time when driving the car. 10 months later, forgetting to engage the cancel button, and the auto stop/start working, the car once again died at an intersection. We were able to get it restarted and it went back to the dealer. They again confirmed that the starter was faulty and once again replaced it and the fuel pump relay. This occurred at 44,770 miles. Thankfully, In both incidents, we were stopped at intersections with traffic lights. The first was in a left turn lane surrounded by cars on a hill. I was able to engage the parking brake before I rolled back into anyone. The second incident was at a flat intersection. Others were stopped around us and no one was approaching us with speed. My concern is that this will occur when waiting to make a left turn at an intersection and the car would roll forward into traffic. Another concern is if highway traffic is stopped and then starts moving again. If the car stalls and won't restart, traffic around you would go forward and traffic behind them would approach your stalled car at speed. Someone is going to be killed from this problem if they haven't been already.
Sep 09, 2025
When I first noticed that my car wasn’t heating properly, it was in May 20 24 when I purchased the car and Carvana dropped it off to my place of residency. When I notified someone of this issue, they told me it probably just needed coolant. I did as instructed and noticed that I was adding in coolant frequently. On February 19, 2025 I returned home one evening and noticed that smoke coming from my car and coolant was leaking from underneath. I called roadside assistance in order to get my car towed and into service at the Subaru dealership. After inspection, the mechanic noticed that there was oil inside the coolant suggesting that there may be an issue with the head gaskets then warned me not to drive my car because there could be further issue with the engine as a result of the head gasket being blown.
Feb 24, 2025
When I break and stop the car power is reduced, at times it stalls out and be hard to start again when starting back up in traffic. This is also starting to happen in my other Forrester of the same year.
Dec 12, 2024
While driving, the engine stalled and many dash lights came on. The thermo control valve was the cause. There was no warning and fortunately I was able to park off of the roadway. The car was towed to the nearest Subaru dealership at a cost of $223.00. The car was repaired under the extended warranty, but I am out the towing fee. Had the defective part been recalled, I would not have experienced this engine failure.
Sep 16, 2024
On [XXX], while driving back home in the evening, the car started to make noises, that became quite loud very fast. I was able to drive to my home, less than 3 miles away, but I could not restart the car anymore. No warning lights were on. It was around [XXX] pm and I was afraid of what might have happened it the car became disabled. The next morning, the car was towed to the MileOne Herb Gordon Subaru Dealer in Silver Spring, MD. I was informed that the rod crankshaft bearing had failed. The engine short block had to be replaced. It is unbelievable to me that a car that had less than 58,000 miles and have been properly maintained will have such a catastrophic failure. The cost to fix this failure: $10676.39 since it is out of warranty for time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Aug 23, 2024
+ 30 more complaints for this component
VISIBILITY
32 complaints
See attached document for complaint.
Aug 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while entering the vehicle, she noticed that the new windshield that was installed 11 days prior, was cracked. The contact stated that the windshield was previously replaced due to the same failure. The contact was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Apr 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, unattended, he noticed that the front windshield had cracked without impact. The contact called the local dealer, where it was determined that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and assisted with the repair. The approximate failure mileage was 32,123.
Mar 04, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the front windshield had been replaced two times and the failure had reoccurred three times within the year. The vehicle was taken to the dealer the first two times the failure occurred. The contact stated each time the dealer replaced the windshield but could not determine the cause of the failure. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Oct 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, she noticed an L-shaped crack on the driver's side windshield starting at the base of the windshield going upwards the top of the windshield. The contact stated that the temperature was not a hot or humid day when the windshield cracked. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Jun 02, 2023
+ 27 more complaints for this component
POWER TRAIN
11 complaints
CVT Transmission failed and not repairable. 6 months out of warranty but under mileage for warranty at 37,000 miles. Fairly new vehicle that is useless w/o $9,000 for a replacement transmission. Exact same defect in 2018 and older models that Subaru is covering repairs and extended warranty for those years.
Jun 18, 2025
Subaru Transmission is wonky! Makes noise... Feels unsafe... sent to shop... they say it needs a new transmission
Jun 10, 2025
On April 16, 2024 the Thermo Control Valve on my 2019 Subaru Forester failed while I was going 70 mph in the middle lane of rush hour traffic. All of the warning lights came on at once as my engine stalled. I lost all mechanical power and was barely able to make it off the highway without getting hit. There was no prior warning that the Thermo Control Valve was bad. I had the car serviced at a Subaru dealership three weeks before the incident and was told that everything looked good on my car. The dealership replaced the Thermo Control Valve under extended warranty coverage. I have a second 2019 Subaru Forester that also falls in this group of vehicles, but Subaru will not replace the Thermo Control Valve until it fails.
Apr 27, 2024
Check engine light came on and gave code P26A6 which came back the thermal control valve which is a well known issue with this make and model vehicle.
Jan 25, 2024
Power Control Valve malfunctioning at 26,000 miles. Causing all safety features (auto braking & lane departure) to be shut off.
Jan 22, 2024
+ 6 more complaints for this component
STRUCTURE
11 complaints
The power lift gate closes on people when trying to open it.
Oct 04, 2024
The pneumatic manual liftgate rear door holders by HANI PRECISION CO are defective. From one day to the other, these stopped working for absolutely no reason. I am extremely concerned about having my skull crushed if the temporary stick I am using to hold it comes down when door is in use. I can no longer open the rear lift hatch door because these two pneumatic holders no longer work. My family have purchased at least 10 Subaru vehicles. Not ever have we ever have experienced this issue. The Subaru Forester was purchased in 2019 and current mileage 34,157. This is the second issue I have encountered with this car. The first was defective tires that required replacement after 15k miles. After having not one but two problems with this Subaru, I will NEVER purchase another vehicle from Subaru. They are providing DEFECTIVE parts despite the cars costing close to $30k. They have lost this customer for life.
Jun 11, 2023
Moonroof Cracks in the same spot randomly. 4 times now. Same exact area. No impacts.
Aug 11, 2022
Small star chip on top driver's side, about 2 minutes after that. Large 16" crack appeared on passenger side
Oct 29, 2021
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRUNK OPENED UP, LOCK IS TOTALLY NOT WORKING AND HAD TO DRIVE WITH A OPEN LATCH. THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER A RECALL AND STILL ITS BAD.
Apr 19, 2021
+ 6 more complaints for this component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
10 complaints
I have reported this before but it never went anywhere. When at a red light or in a traffic slowdown, the car will activate the auto start/stop system. Three times in the past 2 days, the car would not turn back on and required me to turn the car off and back on again. You can imagine that this leaves me in a dangerous situation because the cars behind me see a green light and get ready to move, or they see traffic clearing up and they get ready to move. I am forced to turn my car off and back on again in the middle of a 4 lane highway or on a busy city street. I get cursed at and nearly rear ended each time this happens. I did an internet search and there are entire threads dedicated to this exact problem with this subaru model and year. There should be a recall. It is very unsafe
Nov 17, 2025
Car has died 10+ times in the last 2 weeks. Will not hold a charge and it’s getting to the point that my car is dying in the middle of the road, during heavy traffic. That or the car will just not start unless jumped
Sep 24, 2025
I own a 2019 Subaru Forester. Approximately 5 months ago, I experienced a failure in the auto start-stop feature. My car intermittently shuts down when stopped at traffic lights or in the middle of an intersection. Subaru conducted a diagnostic assessment to address the issue, but they couldn't identify any problems. This has happened about six times within the last five months. They claim to have never encountered this issue before. The temporary solution is to turn off the car and restart it, which is not safe when it occurs in the middle of an intersection. Following my dealership's recommendation, I replaced my battery with a standard EFB battery, However, the same issues persisted. Notably, the problem consistently occurs after driving on the highway for approximately 60-80 minutes and then coming to a stop at traffic lights. It is evident that the issue is not related to the battery. This issue raises significant safety concerns, especially when making left turns after coming to a stop at intersections. The sudden shutdown of the vehicle in the midst of an intersection can pose a substantial safety risk to both the driver and other road users. It not only creates a hazard in terms of traffic flow but also increases the likelihood of accidents and collisions. Given the critical nature of this safety concern, it is imperative that the problem be promptly addressed and resolved to ensure the safety of all road users.
Oct 30, 2023
Over a dozen times now, when at a traffic light, the automatic on/off feature turns the cars engine off. When you take your foot off the brake to reactivate the engine, there is an EyeSight Disabled warning and the car stalls and fails to turn off. You have to turn the car completely off to restart it. I have previously brought the car into a Subaru dealer for servicing after this happened. It has continued happening since then.
Jul 11, 2023
The Thermo Control Valve has stopped working It causes the engine to overheat while drive. The windows fog up in the cold making it hard to because the defrost does not work Yes by an independent service center No No the engine light came while I was drive.
Dec 16, 2022
+ 5 more complaints for this component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
10 complaints
See attached document for complaint.
Jun 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and became inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic for diagnosis or repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.
Oct 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space very slowly, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, and crashed into a concrete pole. The air bags had not deployed during the crash. There were no warning lights illuminated prior to the failure. The contact stated that his wife suffered a fractured sternum, and he had lower back muscle strain with severe spasm. A police report was not filed. The contact and his wife sought medical attention at the local hospital. The vehicle was towed to a collision center, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 25,700.
Oct 24, 2022
2019 Subaru Forester 2.5L JF2SKAEC0KH576270 I use cruise control most of the time in all of my cars. Tapping the inc/dec button in my Subaru changes speed in 5 mph increments. This is very dangerous because my other cars use 1 mph increments. My use case is on long climbs I like to slow down my car 1 or 2 MPH as it works harder. When I double tap the Subaru it drops by 10 MPH instead of the expected 2 MPH. I want Subaru the update the PCM firmware to allow the user to switch to compatibility mode where single tap is 1 MPH and Long tap is 5 MPH.
Aug 03, 2022
When parking the vehicle has experience unexpected acceleration. this issue has occurred 2 times in the last few months and thankfully I did not hit another vehicle or person. I called the dealer but unfortunately they informed me that unless this happens with a tech in the car they will not replace anything
Jun 21, 2022
+ 5 more complaints for this component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
10 complaints
I purchased this vehicle brand new in 2019, and since them i have had to replace my windshield once in January of 2023 (piece of gravel on highway), then in February of this year, my passenger front window busted out .. nothing hit it, it just blew out while i was driving. Weather that day was 53. Then Friday, another windshield crack near eyesite device. This will require another full replacement. At this pace, i cannot afford to keep this car. Before i purchased this car i searched long and hard for the safest vehicle i could find and Subaru always came up on top. Now that i'm an owner having to dish out of pocket every few months for glass replacement, i'm starting to rethink my purchase. I've done research and have found thousands of the same complaints online.. Its a shame that the company is not taking any steps to improve this huge design flaw!
May 20, 2024
Car was sitting outside for the day (with camera observing it). Windshield had no issues when the car was moved to the street in the morning. Windshield was cracked from driver side bottom corner all the way past the half way point and about half way up the windshield. Review of camera video confirmed that no one or thing touched the car during the day. Suspect that the windshield is defective.
Mar 19, 2024
Vehicle was parked in a private single-home garage near Houston, TX. While parked overnight the windshield cracked spontaneously. Crack is ~18 inches long and goes to the bottom edge of the glass around the middle of the windshield.
Jul 03, 2023
Front window has a hairline crack inside glass about 6 in. long. There is no impact point from a rock or object, it just suddenly appeared.
Apr 09, 2023
A crack appeared in my windshield on the passenger side starting from the bottom side slanting towards the middle of the passenger's vision. I do not recall anything hitting my windshield. In researching a replacement cost I read a lot of complaints from Subaru customers who had to replace their windshields, some several times, because of thinner glass used by Subaru. Several reports included the 2019 Subaru Forester with low mileage. I have a photo as I plan to have it repaired soon. I have not yet contacted my Striver dealer nor Allstate insurance agent. Please note: I loaded my 6mb photo but had to delete it to be able to continue.
May 25, 2022
+ 5 more complaints for this component
ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
9 complaints
Auto start/stop shut off engine at drive thru line. Locked up brakes and could not get it to unlock and restart car. It has happened on a number of occasions. After multiple attempts trying and letting it sit for a couple of hours, somehow got it to unlock and start. Thank goodness we haven’t gotten into an accident
Apr 04, 2025
The check engine light came on and all of the eyesight components on the car were disabled as I was traveling down the highway at 70 mph (this included the adaptive cruise control, the lane departure warning, forward collision warning, etc). In addition, the engine thermostat light came on and the heater and defroster stopped working. It was cold and rainy and the window started to fog up and I was unable to clear it without a functioning defroster. This was definitely a safety issue and I had to stop driving. The car was taken to a subaru dealer today and diagnosed with faulty thermo control valve. The technician told me the car should NOT be driven in this condition due to the problem being in the engine coolant system. This is a known issue on the 2019 Forester, and other Subaru models as well, and has a TSB originally issued in Sept 2021. (#09-80-21) My car has 70K miles and therefore is just out of the warranty period. I will have to pay over $1500 to replace this part and because it is a safety issue I have no choice but to pay for the repair. It is a part that is known to be defective and I am requesting that a recall should be issued before others are also put in potential danger and/or forced to pay large sums of money to get it fixed.
Nov 03, 2023
Thermo Control Valve malfuncitoned, causing check engine light to come on. Car only has 72k miles on it, so dealership (McDaniels Subaru, Columbia. SC) said they couldn't repair under warranty. Even though car has 100K powertrain. To get to this part you have to remove intake manifold, so I don't see how it's not considered part of the powertrain. While Check Engine light is on, NONE of the safety features of this car function. From Internet research, this part is going to fail, (part has been redesigned due to this), it's just a matter of whether it fails within your warranty period or not. Mine was not.
Sep 08, 2023
Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am writing to report a safety issue with my 2019 Subaru Forester, which I believe may affect many other Subaru vehicles as well. Specifically, I have experienced a problem with the thermo control valve, which has caused the EyeSight safety features to be disabled and potentially poses a safety risk. I first became aware of this issue when the EyeSight safety features on my vehicle were automatically disabled due to a malfunction. I brought my vehicle to a Subaru dealership for an inspection, and they determined that the thermo control valve was faulty and needed to be replaced. It was alarming to learn that many other Subaru owners had experienced the same issue, and some had even experienced engine failure as a result. The EyeSight system is a driver assistance technology developed by Subaru that uses cameras and sensors to monitor the road and surrounding environment, alerting drivers to potential hazards and providing automatic braking support if necessary. This technology has been recognized as one of the most advanced driver assistance technologies available, and is designed to help prevent accidents and reduce the severity of collisions. The EyeSight system includes features such as adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and sway warning, which work together to provide a comprehensive safety package for drivers and passengers. These features are critical in keeping drivers safe. I am concerned that this issue may be more widespread than initially thought, and that it may pose a safety risk to drivers and passengers of affected Subaru vehicles. The faulty thermo control valve can cause the EyeSight safety features to be disabled, which can lead to reduced safety performance, accidents, and potentially harm to drivers and passengers. Sincerely, Davide Alves
Jul 11, 2023
When I turn the car on it flashes check engine eyesite failure which then turns off the ability to use cruise control, crash detection, lane assist, ext. we called Dick Hannah Subaru and the code came up as P26A5 engine coolant bypass valve A position sensor. They said a thermo valve needs replaced and they’ve seen that happen a lot in 2019/2020 Subarus
Jul 05, 2023
+ 4 more complaints for this component
AIR BAGS
8 complaints
The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving and merging onto the highway in the rain approximately 62 MPH, the contact’s vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle that was driving erratically. Due to the impact, the vehicle spun out of control approximately 3-4 times and the vehicle bounced off the concrete highway sound barrier. The vehicle continued to spin out of control and struck the barrier wall on the passenger’s side before coming to a stop. The contact stated that the rear driver’s axle fractured and ended up on top of the wheel, and the wheel was flat on the ground. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy upon impact or during the crash. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact and his wife were transported to the hospital and were both treated for whiplash, body pain, and pain to the head and neck. The contact also had a throbbing headache from the crash. The contact and his wife both received CT scans that showed no signs of injuries. The other driver also spun out of control and struck the metal guardrail located in the middle of the highway. The contact stated that the other driver had not received medical attention at the scene. A Police Report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision yard where it remained. The insurance company had not inspected the vehicle; however, the contact expected that the vehicle would be deemed a total loss. The contact stated that the driver who caused the accident was cited by the Police for causing the crash. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,400.
Dec 12, 2025
Starlink notification to the dealership that there was a problem with the airbag system. The “seat bottom” that contained the the passenger detector sensor was defective and the entire airbag system is disabled.
Dec 21, 2023
SRS warning light illuminates after honking of horn (horn activator on central steering wheel). After turning off the car and then restarting, the warning light is not visible, but then the warning light recurred after honking horn again during driving. Appointment for evaluation at dealer scheduled.
Apr 30, 2023
2019 Subaru Forester was stopped with left directional signal on to make a left turn. Waiting for oncoming traffic to pass. Vehicle was hit multiple times from the front, back AND side. Airbags did NOT deploy. Driver of the vehicle which hit us said he was “distracted” when he hit us and that it was his fault.
Jun 01, 2021
WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THIS STARTED INTERMITTENTLY YESTERDAY, ON MY 4TH DAY OF OWNING THE NEW CAR! THE SUBARU ALERT SYSTEM ALSO NOTIFIED ME THAT SOMETHING WASN'T WORKING AND THAT IT WOULD REQUIRE A SERVICE CALL.
Sep 26, 2019
+ 3 more complaints for this component
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
6 complaints
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated, and the vehicle immediately decelerated to 56 MPH. The failure was intermittent but had occurred several times over 5 years. The contact had to manually turn off the Forward Collision Avoidance system to avoid the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Nov 21, 2025
Check engine light is on and the heater control valve needs to be replaced. This part is on back order because so many vehicles need to have this replaced and it turns off all the safety features of the vehicle. This is unsafe, faulty and putting loyal Subaru drivers in a vulnerable position. This part needs to be a manufacturing recall as to replace out of pocket is close to $2,000 and only effects the AC but impairs the safety of the driver.
Sep 25, 2023
We were driving our vehicle westbound on U.S. Route 24, between Fairbury, IL and Chenoa, IL on Saturday, July 15, 2023 around 7:00 PM. We were travelling at approximately 55 to 60 mph when the brakes engaged suddenly and brought us to an almost immediate stop. This happened so quickly that it destroyed out transmission, cv joints and brakes. Had we not had out seat belts on, I feel certain that we would have been ejected. If a vehicle had ben behind us, I have no doubt that it would have collided with us. Immediately following the incident, the vehicle, which was now immobile, displayed the Eyesight warning on the instrument panel.
Jul 25, 2023
As a result of code P26A3 (engine coolant bypass valve), the cars Eye Sight system is turned off as well as lane departure, reverse automatic braking, and pre-collision braking system. While code P26A3 may in fact refer to a serious problem with then engine, there is no reason why a safety system should be shut off!
Jul 23, 2023
First problem was eyesight was not engaging. Had diagnostics run and they said there was no problem. That problem continued. Second problem was when I was sitting at a red light. When the light turned green and I started to go, Eyesight engaged and totally shut the car off. It had to be placed in Park and restarted. Dealer said they have never heard of this. Internet says it's a problem. I had contacted Subaru headquarters after 1st incident. They paid for diagnostics, but would not respond after I contacted them to say it continued. Dealer and headquarters blew me off.
Jun 05, 2023
+ 1 more complaint for this component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
6 complaints
most of the safety quiet. motor cut out, eyesight quiet working, check engine light came on service person said the diagnostic showed a code p2682 engine coolant bypass valve control low. steering light came on. No prior warnings. happened while driving at speed limit on interstate.
May 29, 2024
On November 30th around 5:30 PM on [XXX] my wife struck and killed a 6 point buck. Thankfully a SC Highway officer was coming in the opposite direction saw the accident and aided my wife in getting out of the car as he had seen a fire in the engine compartment area. Shortly thereafter the car exploded and was engulfed in flames and totally destroyed. Neither the patrol officer nor the tow operator can remember an auto fire resulting from striking a deer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Dec 05, 2023
This is a follow up from previous complaint 11525953 dated 6/8/2023. My subaru forester stalled again on 8/2 at an intersection after 15 minutes of driving, and then again on 10/4 at an intersection after 45 minutes of highway driving. There are no warning signals or any indication of engine problems. I replaced the air filter in June hoping that might solve the issue.
Oct 15, 2023
On our way to a vacation in NJ, we were driving on the expressway and a deer jumped over the rail into the hood of the car. The car immediately started to smoke ( dark black). We got out of the car, retrieved two luggage bags, and the car burst into flames. All within 60 seconds of hitting the deer. About five years ago, same thing happened to my daughter driving a Subaru WRX…. Twice in the same family….no recall?
Aug 10, 2023
vehicle stalled for no reason causing a dangerous situation, dashboard had 'eyesight' come on, possible crash avoidance feature ??
Jul 26, 2022
+ 1 more complaint for this component
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
6 complaints
While driving, the car would occasionally experience deceleration despite pressing the gas pedal. It would suddenly pick up speed and continue normally. Moreover, the car stalled twice, and on both occasions, it wouldn't restart. The first time, it took a while to restart, and I initially suspected bad gasoline. The second time, it took about five minutes. Given these symptoms, I suspect that the fuel pump could be causing these issues.
Apr 08, 2023
No response when gas pedal is pushed. Intermittent. Very dangerous when pulling out into traffic. Very serious safety hazard.
Oct 23, 2022
We were driving to our summer vacation destination, which was about a 2-hour drive from where we currently live, when it happened. We had been driving for about an hour now and I was in the left lane going approximately 60 MPH when out of nowhere all of the warning lights flashed on my dashboard, including the "check engine light". Then, within seconds I went from about 60 MPH down to 30 MPH down to 10 MPH with no control of the acceleration. I quickly and safely had to pull over to the right lane, which was a bit challenging. Thankfully, I managed to pull off to the side of the road avoiding cars that were zooming past me. At the time, I had no idea what had happened. I tried to depress the gas pedal, but nothing happened. So then I decided to turn the car off. I opened the hood of the car to see if it was something obvious, but didn't see anything. I went to go turn the car back on, but it wouldn't start. We were left stranded on a fast highway. I had to call a tow truck to take my 2019 Subaru Forester to the closet Subaru dealership.This all happened on a Sunday when most places are closed. I receive a call a few days later stating that it was a fuel pump failure and pressure valve malfunction and some of the parts are on backorder. It's been a little over two months now and I still don't have my car back. I keep calling about every 2 weeks for an update, but they keep pushing back the ETA of the part arrival. Last time I called, they stated there was no update and they don't know when the part will come in. Looking back, there were no warning signs that could have lead me to believe that I had a fuel pump problem. I took my car to all of the scheduled maintenance and completed the one recall I had. My car ran great and nothing was wrong with it until that day on the fast highway. I was thankful that we were able to pull off to the side of road in a matter of seconds safely with cars going 60 MPH.
Sep 25, 2022
On 9/11/2021, i was pulling into a vacant parking spot. I backed into an open area and applied the brakes and shifted from reverse to forward, The car accelerated full open, initially the brakes did not stop the car, I pulled to the left trying to avoid hitting the auto in front of me. I hit the auto on the left bumper, the car continued to race full open while my foot was on the brake, we moved forward five foot or so and then the car stopped. The air bags did not deploy. The auto that we hit was not occupied and there we no injuries. note; we have not yet made a police report but will soon, so the line is now marked no. we have looked on line and similar incidents have been reported going back 20 years' we are waiting for Monday to have the car towed from our house to ther repair shop, no estimates yet. but the entire front is pushed in.
Sep 12, 2021
CAR STALLS SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING FROM ONE STREET INTO ANOTHER STREET, ABOUT ONE TIME IN TWENTY.
Jan 05, 2021
+ 1 more complaint for this component
SERVICE BRAKES
5 complaints
The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving on a main road at 30 MPH upon approaching a red light the contact attempted to slow down by depressing the brake pedal, however the vehicle would not slow down, the contact proceeded to swerve to the right and in the process crashed into a lamppost and power pole with the entire front end of the vehicle. There was property damage to both the lamppost and the power pole, and the vehicle came to a stop upon impact. The airbags were deployed. The vehicle was going 30 MPH at the time of the crash. The vehicle was towed to a local junk yard. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact was injured, and she was seated in the driver's seat. No one outside of the vehicle was reported to be injured. The contact sustained injuries to her chest, abdomen, and shins. Medical treatment was required for the injuries. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Jul 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while stopping, the contact went to park in a parking lot and the vehicle had launched forward while the foot was still on the brake pedal which caused the contact to crash into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was going 1 MPH. No warning light was illuminated. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealership. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to tow her vehicle to the nearest dealership for diagnosis. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000. The VIN was not available.
Sep 12, 2023
THERE IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN THAT YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF. WE HAD EYE DROPS STORED IN THE SUBARU CONSOLE IN THE NOOK BY THE PARKING BRAKE BUTTON. WHILE WE WERE DRIVING, THE WEIGHT OF A PURSE MUST HAVE PUSHED DOWN ON THE DROPS CAUSING IT TO ACT LIKE LEVER AND PULL UP ON THE PARKING BRAKE BUTTON. THE BRAKES ACTIVATED WITH THE CAR COMING TO A VERY ABRUPT STOP. THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING US (TOO CLOSELY) REAR ENDED US. $15,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO A 2019 SUBARU. SUBARU IS NOT THE ONLY MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE PARKING BREAK BUTTON IN THE CONSOLE WHERE IT IS A CONVENIENT SPOT FOR EYE DROPS, CHAP STICK, OR MAKE-UP.
Feb 25, 2021
I HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO INSTANCES OF PHANTOM BRAKING, SIMILAR TO REPORTS I'VE READ ABOUT NISSAN ROGUES. ONCE IN JULY, AND ONCE LAST WEEK. IN BOTH CASES I WAS DRIVING AT LOW HIGHWAY SPEED ON A SUNNY AFTERNOON. THE CAR'S "OBJECT DECTECTED" WARNING FLASHED AND BEEPED, AND THE CAR BRAKED AUTOMATICALLY, FOR NO REASON. I SUSPECT BRIGHT SUNLIGHT AND/OR A SHADOW ON THE HIGHWAY WAS TO BLAME
Sep 18, 2019
TAKATA RECALL, WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER FROM A SUBARU DEALER IN BERLIN VERMONT. IT DEVELOPED AN EXTREMELY LOUD SQUEAL WITH UNDER 2000 MILES. THIS WAS A RESULT OF DEFECTIVE BRAKE MATERIAL ON THE RIGHT REAR INNER BRAKE PAD BREAKING LOOSE FROM THE BRAKE PAD AND LODGING BETWEEN THE ROTOR AND DUST SHIELD. I TOOK PHOTOS OF SAID DEFECT (KEPT THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT) AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, I GAVE THEM THE DEFECTIVE MATERIAL WHICH WAS CRUSTED ON THE SIDE OF THE PAD LINING. THEY BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND TOLD ME IT WAS ROAD DIRT. FORTUNATELY I TOOK PHOTOS OF THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT AS WELL AS THE BRAKE PAD. THEY GAVE ME THE CAR BACK WITHOUT CHANGING THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS. THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE PAD HAD A BUILD UP OF THIS CRUSTED OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE MATERIAL FROM BRAKE MANUFACTURE ON THE SIDES OF IT. THIS MATERIAL APPEARED TO HAVE A LAVA CRUSTY TYPE TEXTURE AND IS OBVIOUSLY NOT BRAKE PAD MATERIAL. THE MANUFACTURED BRAKE PADS ARE CURRENTLY ON THE VEHICLE. I CAN NOT UPLOAD PHOTOS ON THIS COMPUTER, DO HAVE PHOTOS HOWEVER. THIS WOULD OBVIOUSLY HAVE SOME EFFECT ON BRAKE LIFE AND AND PERFORMANCE AS A FOREIGN SUBSTANCE IS BEING INTRODUCED INTO THE SERVICE BRAKE COMPONENTS. I HAVE THE ACTUAL MILES WHEN THE DEALER BROUGHT IT INTO THE SHOP AS WELL. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER.
Dec 27, 2018
STEERING
5 complaints
When stearing car it is hard to steal stering will not come back after rounding corners it's almost like there is no power steering sometimes it's there and next it's not
Jul 13, 2025
WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM ENGAGES IN A WAY THAT AFTER LEAVING AND COMING BACK TO VEHICLE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO RELEASE TO START THE CAR BACK UP AGAIN. MY WIFE HAS BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES WHERE I HAD TO COME AND ASSIST IN RELEASING THE STEERING WHEEL BY ADDING THE FORCE AND WEIGHT OF MY BODY TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER TO RELEASE IT AND BE ABLE TO START THE CAR UP. THE DEALER(800 455 0701) PROMISED TO CONTACT SUBARU AND GET A RESPONSE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE. NO RESPONSE. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER NOTED THAT THEY HAVE HUNDREDS OF CALLS PER YEAR ON THIS ISSUE. THE POTENTIAL OF GETTING STUCK IN A UNSAFE AREA ( EMERGENCY NEED TO TRAVEL, STUCK ON THE HIGHWAY, SNOW STORM REQUIRES TEMPORARY STOP, LATE EVENING PARKING AREA, REMOTE COUNTY PARK OR STATE PARK OR FEDERAL PARK) ARE ALL POSSIBLE AND COULD BE DANGEROUS. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.
Jan 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. ROY ROBINSON SUBARU (6001 33RD AVE NE, MARYSVILLE, WA 98271, (360) 659-6237) WAS CONTACTED AND A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V065000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,210.
Sep 03, 2019
STEERING FLOATS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH. IT IS EXTREMELY SENSITIVE AND TWITCHY REQUIRING CONSTANT DRIVER CORRECTION. DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN A CONSISTENT PATH IN TRAFFIC LANES DUE TO CONSTANT CORRECTION.
Jun 29, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ANGLED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LITHIA RENO SUBARU (LOCATED AT 2270 KIETZKE LN, RENO, NV 89502, (775) 800-5534) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS DETECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Jun 25, 2019
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
5 complaints
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine PCV had failed, causing catastrophic damage to the engine. The contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V856000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); and the engine was replaced as part of the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 122,000.
May 06, 2025
See attached document for complaint
Aug 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while his son was driving at approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's son stated that the vehicle was emitting smoke from the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that his son pulled off the highway and stopped the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the positive crankcase ventilation valve (PCV) had separated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised by the dealer that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V856000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) which was already completed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Jun 04, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the temperature control valve (TCV) to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000. The consumer had to get the vehicle repaired due to this TCV valve issue all the security systems were not functioning causing safety issues.
May 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, where it was diagnosed that the thermal control valve was faulty. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the thermal control valve was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 09-80-21 (Thermal Control Valve – Design Change) however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
May 01, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5 complaints
An electrical failure of the auto start/stop feature led to an unavoidable accident. I came to a stoplight, going slightly uphill, and the car shut off as designed. Releasing the brake re-engages the starter to continue driving, however when I released the brake, the car’s electrical system went haywire and the car immediately rolled BACKWARDS, damaging the car behind me. I took it to Subaru and the mechanic said the battery was low, but the car is designed NOT to initiate the start/stop feature, to prevent this from happening. They acknowledged that the accident was not my fault, but provided no further assistance. I was found at fault in the accident despite having no control over the scenario.
May 23, 2024
Battery keeps on dying and doesn’t hold charge. Vehicle has less than 8000 miles on it. 3 weeks ago my vehicle was parked in my garage for one week while I was on vacation and the battery was dead and needed to be jump started. Last week My vehicle was in the garage for 8 days and would not start again and needed to be jump started. Then 4 days had passed since the vehicle was jump started and this morning would not start again. Each time it was parked in my garage with nothing running inside, but the battery keeps failing. I have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow to review.
Mar 28, 2022
SINCE OWNING CAR SINCE DECEMBER 2018, I HAVE NOTICED INTERMITTENTLY THAT THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN MANUALLY WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTONS IN THE BACK. ALSO SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT OPEN WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTON ON LEFT SIDE OF DASHBOARD. THERE IS A RELEASE MECHANISM ON THE INSIDE REAR DOOR PANEL BUT IT IS DIFFICULT TO REACH BECAUSE I HAVE TO CRAWL INTO THE REAR OF CAR FROM A SIDE DOOR. I ALSO NEED A METAL TOOL TO OPEN PANEL. I THINK SUBARU NEEDS TO ADD A KEYHOLE ON THE OUTSIDE OF HATCH SO I CAN USE MY KEY TO OPEN IT IN EMERGENCIES.
Oct 27, 2019
THERE ARE ACTUALLY THREE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE BIGGEST ISSUE, AND POTENTIALLY THE MOST DANGEROUS, IS THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUTTING ITSELF OFF - NOT STALLING. THE PROBLEM OCCURS MOST OFTEN WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHTS, BUT HAS OCCURRED IN OTHER SITUATIONS AS WELL. ALL FUNCTIONS IN THE VEHICLE STOP, A LOUD, CONTINUOUS BEEP BEGINS AND THE DASH INDICATES AN 'EYE SITE' ERROR. APPARENTLY, WHEN THE EYE SITE FEATURE HAS AN ISSUE, IT RESPONDS BY RENDERING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. SO FAR, RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO PARK AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE RESETS THE FEATURE AND RESTORES FUNCTIONALITY. THE PROBLEM IS, HOWEVER, HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. THE SECOND ISSUE IS A LOUD, RAPID CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASH. IT ALSO OCCURS RANDOMLY AND WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO HINDER FUNCTIONALITY, BUT IT CAN BE INCREDIBLY DISTRACTING. FINALLY, AS OTHERS HAVE REPORTED, THE REAR HATCH ALSO RANDOMLY SHUTS ITSELF OFF AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO PROMPT TO OPEN. SUBARU'S RESPONSE TO THESE ISSUES HAS THUS FAR BEEN THE EQUIVALENT OF A SHOULDER SHRUG.
Oct 25, 2019
REAR GATE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WHETHER USING KEYLESS FOB, REAR GATE DOOR BUTTON OR DASH BUTTON. HAD TO HAVE CAR BATTERY DISCONNECTED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN RECONNECTED IT TO GET THE REAR GATE DOOR TO WORK.
Feb 21, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
5 complaints
Start / stop feature. Multiple incidents. Continuing issue. Stop at a light or in traffic. The car turns off. Let off the brake the car completely looses power sometimes or dies. Need to move shifter to park to restart. When the vehicle dies completely. Unable to move shifter of use hazards. This has happened on the highway at stop lights leaving me stranded in the middle of the road with no vehicle power. Or having to restart. Battery, starter and Alternator have been tested and are good. Safety issue.
Mar 09, 2024
My 2019 Suburu Forester battery will not hold a charge. Whenever I want to use it, my husband must jump the Forester with cables from his car's battery. I am careful not to park it for long and use it for trips to dentist, doctor, and other necessities. We bought the Suburu Forester brand new off the car lot in 2019. The car has under 3k miles of use--it looks in perfect condition. We've changed batteries but that did not solve the start up problem. It is a safety hazard depending upon where I have to stop the car. The "incident" is one of many recurrences. After 7 days of nonuse, parked in my garage, the car fails to start.
Feb 21, 2024
Three times in the last week or so, coming to a stop, in traffic, the car throws a warning about the EyeSight not working and it shuts the car off. The first time I was still rolling and had not come to a stop. The other two times I was just barely stopped and it happened. It would be horrible if it happened while driving fast. You have to put it in park and hit the start button to turn the electrical off and then hit the button again to start the car. Windshield is clean. No visible obstruction to the camera system. Clear weather every time. No rain. Daytime driving.
Oct 21, 2023
1 . TERMAL CONTROL VALVE 2. TRAVELING OUT OF STATE AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 3. WARNING LIGHT (CHECK ENGINE WAS ON) 4 CONFIRMNED BY DEALER 5. ALL LIGHTS ON DASH BOARDS ON
Sep 26, 2023
2019 subaru forester failed thermo control valve. There are literally 1000s of complaints on this issue and SOA refuses to issue a recall. Subaru has issued a bulletin to replace the faulty design with redesigned part. When this fails the car goes into limp mode and all lights come on. Very dangerous and quote frankly completely irresponsible that subaru refuses to recall this failure. I am out of warranty and it's minimum 2k to fix. I have a 2019 vehicle parked that I can't get Inspected and can't afford to fix because Subaru of America is trying to save money. Just a matter of time before this causes a tragic accident before they own up to recall.
Sep 20, 2023
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4 complaints
- *Incident 1 (2023):* While driving, my vehicle suddenly stopped while in drive gear, accompanied by a high-pitched alarm and multiple engine service lights. It took over 30 seconds to shift into park and restart the vehicle. The incident occurred at an intersection, and I was fortunate to avoid any collisions. - *Incident 2 (September 2025):* The same problem recurred on two separate occasions- AFTER CERTIFIED REPAIRS. The vehicle came to a complete stop while driving uphill at a decelerated speed, and also while stopped at an intersection. In both instances, the gear was in drive, and the vehicle shut down completely, displaying engine service lights. *Previous Repairs:* - *TCV Replacement:* The Thermo Control Valve was replaced under warranty due to a faulty issue affecting the EyeSight system. - *Battery Replacement:* The battery was replaced under warranty in 2023 after the initial incident. Whats concerning is that my dealer said to have found an “after market” appliance hooked up. This said feature was placed by certified subaru dealership when vehicle was purchased. This said item was never identified as to causing the said issue. Which raised even more safety concerns.
Oct 03, 2025
50k Mileage Mark: When the vehicle turned off at the stop light to save gas, the car stalled. I had to frequently put the car back in Park, and restart the engine. Since then, I had to turn off the “auto turn off” function for fear of the car stalling on the road. This has caused unnecessary anxiety and fear while driving, harming my psychological wellness. Since the 50k mark this has happened about 10 times. The most recent issue was this month
Sep 24, 2025
Defective/failed thermal control valve. Valve failed while I was driving, resulting in safety systems (e.g., lane keep assist, pre-collision braking). Looking this up, this is a known issue to Subaru.
Nov 06, 2023
On January 1, my wife was returning home from a grocery run when our 2019 Forester’s dashboard suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree--Check Engine, EyeSight, Anti-Lock Brakes, Anti-Skid, and blue Temperature lights all came on simultaneously. The Forester did not lose any appreciable power but the heater stopped working and was only blowing cold air. My wife was only a couple of miles away and brought it straight home. I checked under the hood but had no idea what was going on, so I drove it over to my local Autozone for a scan, and it came back with the 'P26A3' Code, as well as 'P3300,' and 'P2100' (Throttle Control Motor-Circuit Open). I brought our Forester back home, did some online research, and discovered that this code typically indicates a thermal control valve assembly (TCVA) failure. Our vehicle's 60,000-mile powertrain warranty had just expired but fortunately, we live near a reputable repair shop which was able to take the Forester in the next day, confirm the codes and TVCA failure, and then make the repair. Further research revealed that this appears to be a widespread quality control problem and typically costs affected owners between $1,100 and $2,000 to fix beyond the expired standard 35,000 mile /60,0000 mile powertrain warranties. In fact, there is a Subaru Forester Owners thread that runs over 33 pages with 654 posts from other owners throughout the world reporting the very same failure over the past year, nearly always between 50,000 and 70,000 miles. (https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/2019-thermo-control-valve-assembly-and-warranty-merged-thread.823510/) This past week, a friend of mine who's an old school mechanic, took the old TCVA apart and discovered that coolant had actually leaked into the part's internal electronics and shorted them out, causing the failure. He was amazed that the short circuit did not damage my Forester's computer. It's certainly a design and manufacturing defect and a recall should be issued by Subaru.
May 10, 2023
SUSPENSION
4 complaints
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact was informed by his wife that while driving over bumps in the roadway at various speeds, there was a rattling sound coming from the vehicle, and the driver brief lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who discovered that the rear stabilizer bracket bolts had detached from the suspension and needed to be replaced. The contact discovered that prior to owning the vehicle, the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V263000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall was no longer applicable to the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired by the dealer. The failure mileage was 102,911.
Jul 29, 2025
I was driving up hill making a curve, suddenly the car went out of control slide all the way to the left. the car ended it up hitting some rocks, I was lucky that nobody got hurt, just my car was damage. I towed my car to a collision center, and I learned that THE REAR STABILIZER BRACKET WAS DAMAGE which was a recall WRD-21. this issue was address and suppostly was fixed by Subaru dealers but OVER TIME MAY LOOSEN AND INCREASE RISK OF A CRASH. Probably I will never find out if THE REAR STABILIZER BRACKET WAS MALFUNTION AND COUSE THE ACCIDENT. But I wanted to report it. Hopefully NHTSA looks into this issue.
May 24, 2023
I just received Subaru Safety Recall WRD-21 issued May 2021. It says there is a DEFECT that can cause a crash. It says “overtime, due to initial variation in rear stabilizer bracket dimensions, the rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and possibly detach”. I purchased my Subaru Forester Touring model 2-2-2019. On 7-20-2020 with only 19;413 miles I experienced a very loud rattle in the rear. My local dealer in Albuquerque, NM found that both rear stabilizer bolts were very loose and about to fall out. They retorqued them to specification and checked for a recall. Of course they found none and said someone at the factory probably didn’t torque to the correct value. Now I receive this WRD-21 notice. I called Subaru customer service to find out why this defect is fixed by a simple retorquing of the bolts. Based on their own statement the loosening is caused by a manufacturing error in the stabilizer bracket dimensions. Simple retorquing in my opinion will not fix the defect but only fix the symptoms and probably the bots will become loose again over time due to the imperfections in the stabilizer bracket dimensions as they admitted. Subaru told me all recalls are approved by the NHTSA before it is sent out. So some engineer at NHTSA must have analyzed the problem and their proposed solution and approved it. I disagree with the approval and believe the bolts will loosen again under normal use. Many Subaru owners buy the Forrester model for off road use on rough roads. I fear it will happen to me again. I request NHTSA re-examine this recall and require Subaru to issue another recall to perform a permanent fix to this admitted safety defect in their product. Please me know your decision at [XXX] [XXX] Bernalillo, NM. [XXX] Or at [XXX]
Jun 04, 2021
EXTREME SWAY WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE YESTERDAY GOING FROM LINDALE, TEXAS TO DALLAS, THE WINDS WERE MODERATELY HIGH. HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HAD AN EXTREME SWAY AND WAS VERY EXTREMELY TO SAFELY MAINTAIN. *TR
May 06, 2020
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
4 complaints
While driving on a highway outside Milford, CT my vehicle is check engine light suddenly illuminated. I had a sudden loss of power, no heat, and the engine temperature was unable to read. Engine temperature was not accurately reporting and showed it as being cold as indicated by blue light warmup light. My eyesight, pre-collision system, and sport mode was disabled due to the engine light being illuminated. The vehicle was seen at a Subaru dealer, who diagnosed the issue to be the thermo control valve. Dealership informed me that it was unsafe to drive and I risk complete engine failure, overheating, and or fire if I continue to operate without required repair. As a result, I was stranded overnight, three hours away from home. Repair was completed on [XXX] at cost of $1830. I learned at the dealership that this is a known issue, in 2021 Subaru replace the plastic components of this part with aluminum due to similar issues experience by many customers. Customers are reporting vehicles going into “limp mode” and even engine damage. I learn that there is a class action lawsuit regarding the same issue, which can be reviewed here: [XXX] Please help to recall vehicles and push Subaru to repair/refund. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Mar 02, 2024
The problem seems to be a faulty Thermo Control Valve Assembly. When I started the car, the dashboard lit up with several warning signs including the check engine light and 6 or 7 other warning lights. I also received texts and emails from Subaru saying to have my vehicle serviced ASAP. My 2019 Forester only has about 16,000 miles on the odometer. Continuing to drive would cause damage to the engine and potentially the car could abruptly stop on its own. Our car has been in the service department of our dealership for five weeks. I just received a call this morning that we had to return the loaner rental today, but that the thermal control valve is not expected until mid- or late-October. (It is now September 20.) I researched several Subaru blogs, and it seems that many others are having the same issue with their Foresters. Our dealership has five automobiles in their service department waiting for this part (and this is only one dealership). I also researched the Subaru service bulletins and see that they have a newly-designed thermo control valve assembly (same part number as the old one but a different date etched into the part). Apparently this has been an issue known by Subaru since at least September 2021 when their service bulletin came out. It seems that with so many owners having the same issues, there should be a recall and part replacement without cost to the owners.
Sep 20, 2022
The problem cited below is on a 2019 Subaru Forester with 20,101 miles. The 'check engine' light came on when I started my vehicle as well as all the ADAS warning lights came on. All ADAS were inoperable. The car was drivable so I cautiously drove it to a Subaru dealership. While driving, I noticed the engine never warmed up. Running a cold engine causes an emissions problem and may be a violation of an EPA standard. The problem was diagnosed by the dealership as a faulty Thermo Control Valve Assembly, Part Number (21319AA010). Upon researching the problem on www.SubaruForester.org, I discovered over 240 similar postings about the same complaint on the same model car. I consider this to be a Safey issue with a potential of significant engine damage causing engine failure as well as making all the ADAS inoperable. Subaru of America is aware of the extent of this problem and should be made liable for recalling these vehicles and fixing this safety problem. The vehicle is currently (since Aug. 23, 2022) at the dealership awaiting a back-ordered part. I am currently negotiating with Subaru to have the part repaired under the 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty. Please look into this issue since so many other owners of this vehicle are having this same issue. Thank You.
Sep 03, 2022
My 2019 Subaru Forester Sport only had 41,000 and the thermal control valve on it failed. The engine is running really cold and sometimes without warning certain safety feature shutoff as a result. There were no warning signals before it failed but when it went out the check engine light came on as well as about 5 other warnings. I had it diagnosed at Young Subaru in Ogden, UT. After doing some research I found that this specific part recently underwent a design change due to this malfunctioning. I’ve found several other Subaru owners that are having the exact same issue where the safety features are completely disabled as a result of this poorly manufactured part. This part needs to be recalled asap before it can continue to cause more damage to the engines or the people who drive these vehicles
May 27, 2022
WHEELS
3 complaints
I had a tire rotation at my Subaru dealer in 12/2024. Two weeks later I had a flat and could not break two lug nuts. Tire repair dealer found that the lug bolts had been stripped. I had the remaining lug bolts examined by the dealer and a 3rd was found stripped. All three had to be replaced. I underwent tire rotation on 12/11/2025 and dealer found a fourth lug bolt stripped which needed replacement. I was assured this was not the fault of the mechanics and was instead told that this was a manufacturer problem with the lug bolts. If this is true, there are a host of Subaru's out there with lug nuts that cannot be user removed to repair a flat. Although when stripped, the lug nuts are apparently firmly attached, does this represent a wheel / tire failure issue? Thanks for your attention.
Dec 25, 2025
TPMS TIRE PRESSURES DO NOT APPEAR ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE PRESSURES ARE IN THE COMPUTER, BUT NEVER APPEAR ON THE SCREEN. THE DRIVER DOES NOT KNOW WHETHER TPMS INDICATES A FUEL ECONOMY ISSUE, OR AN EMERGENCY. THE "LOW TIRE PRESSURE" DISPLAY SHOWS A LARGE BOX ON THE DISPLAY. THAT SHOULD HAVE A NUMBER AT EACH CORNER INDICATING THE TIRE PRESSURE, IN GREEN FOR OK, YELLOW FOR SLIGHTLY LOW, AND RED FOR EMERGENCY. THIS WOULD HELP THE DRIVER EVALUATE A TIRE PROBLEM AND DECIDE HOW TO DEAL WITH IT SAFELY. TPMS HAS LIT UP WHEN I'M IN THE LEFT LANE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. DO I HAVE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER ASAP, OR CAN I FILL THE TIRES WHEN I GET HOME? WITH THE CURRENT SYSTEM, I DON'T KNOW. THIS COULD BE FIXED WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE, NO HARDWARE CHANGES NEEDED.
Feb 22, 2020
I RECENTLY HAD MY TIRES ROTATED FOR THE FIRST TIME AND THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT ONLY 3 OF THE 5 LUG NUTS WERE TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION. THE OTHER TWO WERE ONLY "FINGER TIGHT"
Oct 31, 2019
STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER
3 complaints
In May 2025, I had the passenger-side mirror on my 2019 Subaru Forester replaced at a licensed Subaru dealership. I was told the replacement part would be factory-original and matched to the vehicle’s VIN, which specifies a dark metallic grey exterior. After the repair was completed, I noticed that the mirror casing was the wrong color — a visibly lighter grey than the rest of the car. While the mirror is functional and undamaged, the color mismatch may affect how other drivers perceive the vehicle, especially during lane changes or turns. In certain lighting or weather conditions, the inconsistency could potentially cause confusion or misinterpretation of the car’s shape or position. The dealership acknowledged that the wrong part color was used based on my VIN, but refused to replace it without full repayment. There were no warning lights or error messages associated with the issue. The part is still installed on the vehicle and available for inspection. I am reporting this as a consumer concern regarding improper VIN-matched component replacement, which may pose a minor but notable risk to the awareness and safety of other drivers.
Jun 04, 2025
The front windshield developed a crack for no reason.
Apr 19, 2022
MY 2019 FORESTER PREMIUM, 6 WEEKS OLD AND <200 MILES ON IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT. IT WAS COLD OUT THAT NIGHT. WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR I TURNED IN THE HEATED WINDSHIELD AND REGULAR HEAT IN THE CAR. MOMENTS LATER AND WHILE STILL PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE WINDSHIELD HEATING ELEMENT HALFWAY UP TO THE TOP. BROUGHT IT TO THE AUTO GLASS PLACE NEARBY, WHERE IT WAS NOTED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT NO IMPACT POINT WAS PRESENT. HE DOCUMENTED THIS ON MY WORK ORDER / RECEIPT. THE WINDSHIELD WAS ON BACKORDER FOR 3 WEEKS BUT WAS FINALLY INSTALLED.
Aug 29, 2019
ENGINE,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
3 complaints
Thermo control valve failure, P26A3 code, eyesight safety assistance warning light ,check engine light, pre collision braking light, lane assist light.
Mar 24, 2024
4 days ago my Check Engine light came on. In my car, when this happens, it disables all Eyesight features - collision warning, lane departure warning, etc. Work hours being what they are, I drove home that night and back to work the next day with it on. I managed to get it scanned when it popped a code for the Coolant Bypass Valve. Searching that code online lead me to DOZENS AND DOZENS of forums, posts, stories of the same code popping up on other 2019-2020 Subaru's. They all had to take it in for a hefty repair. It also led me to a Service Bulletin issued last year, which showed that Subaru had rebuilt the TCV so it could withstand corrosion, unlike the previous version. So naturally I took it into my local dealership to have it looked at, and sure enough - the TCV needed to be replaced. WHY HASN"T THIS PART BEEN RECALLED YET??? Given there is no thermostat on my cars dash, I would have no clue whether my car was overheating due to this faulty valve, until its too late. It seems like this is a big potential safety issue that Subaru needs to address, and someone needs to force their hand.
Oct 06, 2023
TCV valve failed and as a result RAB and Eyesight were disabled. The TCV has a known defective design and there is a bulletin about it. MC-10208664-0001 https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10208664-0001.pdf
Nov 02, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
3 complaints
There have been multiple incidents where the automatic collision braking system has almost caused me to be in an accident. Although it can be turned off, you must remember to do it manually each time you turn the car on. The dealership has not offered a choice to have this dangerous feature permanently disabled. In this incident, traffic in front of me started to slow down significantly, and I started to make a lane change into the left lane which was open. In the middle of the lane change, the brakes slammed on, which meant if anyone was approaching in the left, they would have to quickly slam theirs on to not rear end me. It is honestly very scary to find yourself suddenly not in control of your vehicle when a human is better able to interpret a constantly evolving situation than a computer system. Case in point, the last time I was scared half to death, the brakes slammed on while I was driving unobstructed as a car pulled out from a store far ahead of me into the lane to my right. I was in the middle lane. At no time was the car crossing into my lane. It had just started to pull out, and my brakes slammed on. If the person behind me didn’t think fast, I would have been hit. There have been lawsuits against Subaru’s eyesight feature because it misinterprets items like trash cans or cones as obstacles. The braking system is going to cause serious harm to someone, and I personally am tired of almost being in accidents because the car brakes without warning. I don’t know at this point what to do to get it disable. Safety features aren’t supposed to cause harm.
Dec 21, 2022
My 2019 Subaru Forester experienced an unexpected (random) activation of the pre-collision avoidance automatic breaking feature. While driving on a major city road (dry, sunny, typical Arizona conditions) at approx 40-45 mph the system activated despite there being no obstacle (car or otherwise) anywhere near the vehicle. The nearest car was at least about half a mile ahead. The break force applied was the strongest I have experienced in 24 years of driving. This is not the first time I have experience this issue in this specific vehicle. A similar occurrence happened more than a year ago.
Feb 24, 2022
DRIVING DOWN A SIDE STREET I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE I HIT THE BRAKES AND INSTEAD LURCHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I PUSHED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME ABOUT 8 FEET AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. DURING THIS TIME I REPEATEDLY PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HAD NO RESPONSE. AFTER HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED AT THE COLLISION CENTER THEY BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO SUBARU. SUBARU RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. AFTER I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE COLLISION CENTER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DETECTOR WOULD NOT GO OFF FOR MY WIFE WHO WEIGHS UNDER 100 POUNDS.'TO CLARIFY THE SENSOR INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS OFF.' I SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. TOTAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS ABOUT $8200 AND I'M NOT CERTAIN OF THE DAMAGES TO THE OTHER VEHICLE.
Dec 06, 2020
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
3 complaints
Stopped at a red light. The Forester was in Auto Start/Stop mode and was in Stop. When I tried to start the Forester up again, it would not. A bell started ringing and all the warning lights lit up. I put the car in Park and and within a minute it started up again.
Aug 02, 2022
HAVE A 2019 SUBARU FORRESTER. HAD 30,000 MILE SERVICE RECENTLY AT DEALER. SINCE THEN, MULTIPLE ELECTRIC MALFUNCTIONS. FIRST ABS TURNED OFF, THEN AUTO START STOP STARTED MALFUNCTIONING FOR 2 WEEKS, TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME "HOOD SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING, AND BRING IT BACK IN 4 WEEKS WHEN PART ARRIVES." FOUR DAYS LATER, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, ENGINE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY! WHOLE DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH "EYESIGHT DISABLED" SIGN, ENGINE LIGHT ON. UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR AT ALL. AFTER 10 MINUTES OF CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH ENGINE DISABLED, FINALLY WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR, THEN ENGINE SHUT DOWN AGAIN. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED HOOD SENSOR AND SAID "EVERYTHING IS FINE." MEANWHILE MULTIPLE ELECTRIC FAILURE ISSUES, PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT ALARM BEEPS EVEN THOUGH SEAT EMPTY, ABS SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY. PLEASE BEWARE 2019 FORRESTER HAS CATASTROPHIC ELECTRONIC FAILURE THAT SUBARU IS FAILING TO ADDRESS PROPERLY AS A COMPANY. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD! IMAGINE CAR SHUTTING OFF IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC REPEATEDLY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW, HAVE KEPT IT WELL SERVICED WITH OIL CHANGES. SUBARU SEEMS TO THINK THIS IS OK. THEY KEPT SAYING "IT'S JUST AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE," JUST AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT CAN CAUSE SEVERE INJURY AND ACCIDENTS! HOW MANY ACCIDENTS WILL HAVE TO OCCUR BEFORE SUBARU WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND FIXES THIS?
Mar 19, 2021
TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, TAPPED BRAKES AND ANTI LOCKS ACTIVATED, IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS ENTIRE DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH EVERY WARNING LIGHT POSSIBLE ON THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE FIRST EXIT, TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER OF A MILE FROM START OF INCIDENT, INTO A PARKING LOT, DIRECTLY OFF THE HIGHWAY, WHEN THE CAR SHUT DOWN. TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO RESTART THE CAR- IT WOULD CATCH AND THEN SHUT OFF. ENDED UP GETTING IT TOWED TO MY HOME DEALER. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. IT APPEARED TO BE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE COMPUTER WHICH CAUSED THE ENTIRE CARS SYSTEMS TO SHUT DOWN. PICTURES SHOW DASH LIT UP AND SCREEN SHOT OF 'MY SUBARU' APP WHICH INDICATED ONLY SOME OF THE WARNING LIGHTS, ALTHOUGH ALL LIGHTS WERE LIT.
Dec 04, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 complaints
The car has a power assisted hatchback. When it fails to latch, the power is completely drained from the car, and there is zero indication of this happening, until the next day when an attempt is made to start the car. We've been stranded twice in our car and twice on the road. It's all due to the robotics not getting a signal to stop trying to keep it open. We notified the dealer twice by April of 2021. The second time they replaced the battery and we failed to convince them that this was a symptom, not the cause per many TSBs. In March of 2022 we were traveling and the hatch failed to latch. It would beep all the time. We took it to another dealer in Baton Rouge, who ordered a latch back in Atlanta. We drove it hundreds of mails beeping. The electrical system failed the next morning - again. We got the car started, made it back to Atlanta, and had the latch replaced by a 3rd dealer. Our original dealer says we are not eligible for the replacement hardware/software fix in the robotics (as distinct from the latch) to stop parasitic draining unlike identical cars made in this year. We do not trust this car until it's fixed.
May 23, 2022
THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I PRESSED THE POWER REAR GATE OPEN BUTTON ON THE DRIVER SIDE DASH, BUT THE REAR GATE DIDN'T OPEN, AND THE CAR JUST BEEPED THREE TIMES. THE BEEPS WOULD HAPPEN EVERY TIME I TRIED TO PRESS THE GATE BUTTON ON THE CAR OR ON THE FAUB. I OPENED THE ACCESS PANEL AND MANUALLY OPENED THE DOOR, EXTENDING THE DOOR TO FULL HEIGHT. WHEN I PRESSED THE BUTTONS ON THE CAR, THE POWER GATE WOULD GO DOWN BUT WOULD SLAM SHUT AND THE CAR WOULD ISSUE A LONG BEEP. WHEN I PRESSED THE BUTTON EITHER ON THE CAR OR THE FAUB TO REOPEN THE REAR GATE, IT WOULDN'T BUDGE AND THE THREE BEEPS HAPPENED AGAIN. I THEN PRESSED THE BUTTONS ON THE CAR AND HELD THEM PASSED THE THREE BEEPS UNTIL THE GATE UNLOCKED AND I WAS ABLE TO LIFT IT OPEN. THE GATE CLOSED AGAIN WHEN I PRESSED THE LOCK/GATE CLOSE BUTTONS, SLAMMING SHUT AS BEFORE WITH THE LONG BEEP. NO MATTER WHAT I TRIED, I COULDN'T GET THE GATE TO OPEN ON ITS OWN ( WITH POWER). WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON, THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE REAR GATE WAS OPEN, BUT WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND STARTED TO DRIVE, THE CAR CONTINUOUSLY BEEPED UNTIL I STOPPED DRIVING AND PUT IT IN PARK. I TURNED IT OFF AND LET IT SIT OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT DAY, I TRIED TO OPEN THE HATCH AS MENTIONED ABOVE AND IT STILL DID NOT OPEN, THOUGH I COULD MANUALLY OPEN IT IF I HELD THE BUTTONS DOWN BEYOND THE THREE BEEPS. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR ON, THOUGH, IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER I TRIED TO START THE CAR WITH THE PUSH BUTTON START, ALL THE ICONS BEGAN FLASHING AND CLICKING ON THE DASH AND CONTROL PANELS AND THE EYESIGHT FUNCTION WAS OFF AND THE CAR SAID TO CHECK VEHICLE FUNCTION, ALL WHILE FLASHING AND CLICKING. WHEN I PRESSED HE BUTTON START AGAIN IT ALL STOPPED. THE PARKING PEDAL SEEMED VERY STIFF AND WAS DIFFICULT TO PRESS AT ALL. THE CAR WOULD NOT START THROUGH STARLINK EITHER, SO NOW IT SITS IN MY PARKING LOT UNTIL I TOW IT TO A DEALER TOMORROW.
Feb 09, 2020
REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN RANDOM AND PERIODIC SINCE WE TOOK DELIVERY FROM DEALER AT END OF MAY, 2019. TODAY AFTER SHOPPING I TRIED TO PLACE ITEMS IN THE HATCH. IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I TRIED THE INSIDE BUTTON AND THE HANDLE ON THE HATCH, NEITHER WORKED. I LOADED THE ITEMS IN THE BACK SEAT, STARTED THE CAR THEN STARTED TO BACK OUT OF THE SPACE. AS VEHICLE TRAVELED IN REVERSE THERE WAS A NOISE LIKE A MOTOR AND THE HATCH OPENED. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL SO FAR BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT OPENED WHILE IN MOTION
Sep 25, 2019
VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
3 complaints
Windshield cracked around September 10 of 2021. Forward warning went off at times since crack. I had windshield replaced and new windshield cracked 4 months later. I must pay $500.00 deductible. Now the crack on new windshield is 3 weeks old and has spread to approximately 15 inches. Windshield must be replaced again. Forward safety now goes off at times as with previous windshield when it was cracked.
Feb 09, 2022
WINDSHIELD CRACKED SOMETIME BETWEEN 2/16/21 AND 3/4/21. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED ON 2/13/21 FROM DEALERSHIP. CAME OUT TO GO TO WORK ON 3/4/21 AND FOUND LARGE CRACK ACROSS WINDSHIELD. I HAD NO INSTANCES OF OBJECTS HITTING WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED INITIAL CRACK. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED NUMEROUS SUBARU OWNERS COMPLAINING OF DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS IN MODEL YEARS FROM 2017 - 2019. COST TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD AND RECALIBRATE EYESIGHT FEATURE EXPECTED TO COST IN EXCESS OF $1,000. SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE CONTACTED AND ADVISED TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS DUE TO MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. CASE #1-66770999440
Mar 09, 2021
THE CAR HAS 12600ISH MILES. THERE ARE NO ROCK CHIPS, ETC. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY WHEN WE PARKED LAST NIGHT AND NOW THERE IS A 6 INCH CRACK COMING FROM THE BOTTOM CENTER. THERE WERE NO INSTANCES OF ROCKS, DRIVING OVER BUMPS, ETC.THE CAR DIDN'T HAVE A CRACK WHEN WE PARKED IT LAST NIGHT AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN DOES TODAY.
Dec 30, 2020
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 complaints
SUBARU FORESTER 2019 MODEL CRACKED WINDSHIELD BY IT SELF.
Jan 04, 2021
BACK HOOD LATCH STUCK AND WON'T OPEN
Oct 25, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED ,BOTTOM CENTER UP ABOUT 15" CIRCLE .VEHICLE PARKED .NO STONE MARK OR STAR MARK. LOOKS LIKE FACTORY DEFECT. I'VE HEARD OF OTHERS DOING SAME.
Feb 14, 2019
VISIBILITY,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 complaints
IN JUNE 2019, 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER, A VERY SMALL ROCK HIT THE BOTTOM OF MY WINDSHIELD AND IMMEDIATELY CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD 6 INCHES, WHICH IS ABOVE THE LEGAL ROCK CHIP REPAIR LENGTH. SO I WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. I WAS ON THE I-15 FREEWAY DIVING 80 MILES PER HOUR, THE LEGAL SPEED LIMIT. *TR
Jun 22, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKING. *TR
Jun 22, 2020
WINDSHIELD IS FRAGILE. THE WINDOW SHIELD HAD ROCK CHIP IN THE FIRST MONTH I GOT THE CAR. AFTER 1 YEAR, I GOT ANOTHER ROCK CHIP THAT CRACKED IT SO BAD, A HUG LINE RUNS ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD MULTIPLE CARS BEFORE, THIS CAR IS PROBABLY THE MOST FRAGILE GLASS I EVER EXPERIENCE. *TR
Jun 12, 2020
SEATS
3 complaints
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SHAKES ON UNEVEN SURFACES, WHEREBY APPEARING UNSTABLE AND INAPPROPRIATELY SECURED TO FOUNDATION OF VEHICLE.
Dec 16, 2019
PRIMARILY DRIVER'S SEAT IS NOT COMFORTABLE. BACK PAIN STARTS ALREADY AFTER 30 MIN DRIVE, GET LEGS CRAMPS WHEN YOU STEP OUT OF THE CAR. SEAT CONFIGURATION DOES NOT ALLOW TO ADJUST IT FOR COMFORTABLE SEATING POSITION DUE TO POOR DESIGN. FORESTER 2019 HAS THE MOST ADJUSTABLE SEATS FROM ALL SUBARU LINE, BUT LOOKS LIKE WORSE CONFIGURATION OVERALL. ALL EXISTING ADJUSTMENTS STILL DO NOT ALLOW TO SEAT COMFORTABLY EVEN FOR A PRETTY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. IF YOU TRY TO SUPPORT THE BOTTOM PART OF THE BACK, THEN UPPER PART IS NOT TOUCHING THE SEAT AND IN CASE OF REAR ACCIDENT INJURY CHANCES ARE HIGHER THAN AVERAGE. IF YOU ADJUST TO SUPPORT UPPER PART, THEN LOWER PART DOES NOT HAVE ANY SUPPORT AND BACK HURTS ALREADY AFTER 5-10 MIN DRIVE.
Dec 01, 2019
THE SEATBELT IN THE BACKSEAT GETS TANGLED AND LOCKS IN AN UPPER POSITION MAKING THE SEATBELT INOPERABLE.I HAVE HAD THE CAR SEVEN MONTHS AND IT HAS HAPPENED 10 TIMES. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER , THEY PULL THE STUCK BELT OUT FROM UNDER THE METAL ROLLER,BUT IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND AGAIN.*DT*JB
May 21, 2019
SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
2 complaints
About a month ago while approaching a stop light turning green at a busy intersection, I was slowing into the left turning lane when my car just stopped. No avoidance, no alerts. I had a semi behind me who started pulling out around me in heavy traffic. I could use my flashers. I turned the car off, then on and it finally restarted. This is a 2019 Subaru Forester, original owner, only one incident - but it was definitely weird, and unsafe!
Oct 24, 2025
The vehicle is less than 5 years old and has less than 50k miles. While driving with cruise control engaged on the Thruway, my check engine light came on. Almost immediately after the red "BRAKE" warning showed on the dash. When that happened my car engaged the brakes while I was traveling at 75mph and I pulled to the side of the Thruway as quickly as I could as to not wreck with another driver. My engine sounded like it was working overtime so I shut off the vehicle. After a couple of minutes I tried to start my engine and it would not go. After another few minutes I was able to start the vehicle but could not drive because the brakes were still engaged. I needed to turn on/off the parking brake a few times before they released. I then drove the vehicle the remaining 2.5 hours home with the check engine light on and red "BRAKE" light off. This same scenario happened on my way to bring the vehicle to the dealer to fix the issue. The Subaru dealership inspected the vehicle and confirmed the thermo control valve was malfunctioning and would need to be replaced. Thankfully the vehicle was under warranty and did not cost me anything to repair.
Jan 02, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 complaints
My Subaru smelled like gas and caught on fire while I was driving to work less than 72 hours after it left the service department at the local Subaru dealership. Earlier that week I dropped the car off for service due to a check engine light and multiple other warning lights on the dashboard. The check engine light was determined to be due to a faulty thermo control valve (a known issue on several models of 2019-2021 Subarus). During that service appointment, the thermo control valve was replaced under warranty, the 60000 mile service, state inspection, and an oil change/tire rotation were completed. The morning of the incident, the car smelled like gas, but there were no warning lights on the dashboard and the temperature and gas gauges were all in range. While looking for a safe place to pull over on the side of the road, the gas smell worsened, I heard a pop, the check engine light and every single other light on the dashboard lit up, it smelled like burning jet fuel, and the front of the car was smoking and there were flames, and all mechanical and electrical control of the vehicle was compromised. The car coasted to the side of the right lane. I was unable to operate the gear shift to put the car in park. I opened the driver’s side door, removed my seatbelt, grabbed my backpack, lunch bag, and phone, and exited the vehicle while it was still rolling. I ran around the back of the car to get onto the side walk. Flaming, melting pieces of plastic were coming off the bottom of the car. Flames and smoke were visible on the front hood of the car. I called 911 while the car continued to roll across several lanes onto the other side of the road. The burning car rolled and hit a guardrail on the opposite side of the road and continued to burn until the local Fire Department arrived on scene. Local police and the fire inspector wrote reports. My insurance declared the car a total loss. I have informed the local dealership and worked to get them access to the vehicle.
Aug 20, 2025
CAR HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED BY SUBARU SERVICE DEPT ON 2/27/2024. ON 3/1/2024, WHILE TRAVELLING IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, WE SMELLED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AND WERE ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT OUR CAR WAS LEAKING A LARGE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN THE ROADWAY. WE PULLED OVER TO A SAFE AREA, EVACUATED THE CAR, AND THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE WANTAGH FIRE DEPARTMENT. POLICE REPORT BY NY STATE POLICE WAS OBTAINED. CAR WAS REMOVED BY TOW TRUCK.
Mar 02, 2024
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 complaints
My car is a 2019 suaru forester 54,268mi I was driving from Houston to Dallas on the freeway during a thunderstorm on [XXX] [XXX]. I got off the freeway and was almost on the road near my house when my car engine suddenly died, I had no control of my car, my car engine would not start anymore. I had no problems with my car before. I towed it home the next day and had it checked with a scanner and it came up with about 25 check engine codes. 5/14/2025 Subaru dealer (ewing of plano) had it checked and had the thermo control valve replaced because it was bad. They had no previous notices or recalls. If my car had stopped in the middle of the freeway it could have been a major accident..other people's lives are important..please look into this issue INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
May 16, 2025
MY SON'S NEW 2019 SUBARU FORESTER TOURING BURNED TO A CRISP (TOTAL) ON SATURDAY, 10/19 IN I-95 NEAR NEW ROCHELLE, NY. VEHICLE WAS IN THE LEFT LANE AND THE CAR IN FRONT STOPPED AND THEY HIT IT, THEN THEY WERE HIT IN THE BACK, TOO. THEIR CAR BURNED BUT THE CAR IN FRONT AND BEHIND DID NOT. THE CAR IN FRONT WAS EVEN ABLE TO MOVE INDICATING NOTHING WRONG WITH ITS GAS TANK.
Oct 21, 2019
SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
2 complaints
I have had multiple issues with my car for the past month. First, my rear right wheel has been making a fan-like sound when going above 35mph and it gets louder until 70mph. It is most likely the wheel bearings going out but, I only have around 50,000 miles on the car. This seems to be a common issue with Foresters. Secondly, my rear Harman Kardon speakers have stopped working. This also appears to be a recurring issue with Forester's, with both their standard and premium sound systems. Lastly, my engine check light turned on and shut off my adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, emergency braking, and rear automatic braking. I'm surprised that these issues are still happening to Subaru since they have been complained about by consumers for years.
Jun 05, 2024
March 9, 2023 at 7 AM, I was driving in Philadelphia and traffic had slowed slightly and I was going 5 MPH, coming to a stop in traffic when my car completely "froze", and all the lights on the dashboard came on and it said "auto start disabled" and my car would not move. I tried to hit "start/stop" button but nothing worked and I tried to hit my blinkers so I could warn the cars behind me, but nothing worked in the car and it was stalled. This was the situation for 4 full minutes. I am lucky the cars behind me were paying attention and did not hit my car when it abruptly stopped like that with no warning at all. I am really concerned about this car's safety. This issue occurred to the same car in 2021 and I made an incident report then as well. The dealership said it was due to a faulty hood sensor which they replaced but the same exact thing happened a few times in 2021. I think there is some problem in the car's wiring or electrical system that is not being addressed. This is unsafe and a safety hazard for me and other cars on the road. Subaru needs to address this.
Mar 09, 2023
ENGINE,LANE DEPARTURE
2 complaints
The check engine light went on and the diagnostic code read was P26A3, Engine Coolant Bypass Valve is failing in my 2019 Forester, which only has 46,000 miles on it. Subaru was aware that this part was defective in the 2019-2021 models, because in Feb of 2022 the part was replaced and a service bulletin 09-80-21 was issued with instruction for replacing the part, but did not issue a recall, despite this problem causing the advanced safety features to stop working and directly affecting the proper functioning of the engine. My car is just out of warranty, and the quote to have my mechanic replace the part is almost $1200 which I am unable to afford and do not feel I should have to pay for. Subaru should be help to account for this issue.
Apr 14, 2024
There are two problems: 1 after the car turns off after stopping to save fuel it will fail to restart automatically and must be put into park to manually restart; 2 the car will try to change lanes indicating that the safety related lane change is malfunctioning. I have to fight the car to maintain my lane.
Nov 09, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
2 complaints
4/2/2024 at 5:30am my Eyesight system flashed a message in orange that the Eyesight system was off - not temporarily disabled. This is NOT due to an obstruction of the cameras by weather/glare/dirt etc. All functions controlled by Eyesight including lane departure, adaptive cruise control, and forward emergency braking, as well as reverse automatic braking are disabled by this malfunction. I removed the negative lead from my battery in an attempt to reset the system which did not clear the error. No check engine light accompanied this error and all other systems seem to be functioning normally.
Apr 02, 2024
While on freeway at night on 9/28/22 about 8pm several dashboard lights activated including check engine, eyesight assisted safety light, steering and safety controls disabled, all at once! I pulled over and called Subaru for assistance. Called AAA. AAA suggested I drive vehicle off freeway. I went to brothers and he noted car not overheated and drive short distance home. Car manuals did not explain so many warning lights. Drove car to Roseville Subaru next day and determined that engine part had failed to leave for repair. Dealer service agent Raj would not provide any details, strange? Went online and found Subaru Service Bulletin #09-80-21 dated 2/28/22 indicating thermo valve defective causing warning lights, and to replace. I felt unsafe as on freeway at risk at night and am elderly. Subaru bulletin shows part faulty as of June7,21 per s.bulletin. Why not recalled by now? Unsafe to drive this car as steering, braking, and driver assistance systems all fail to operate at once and I was not sure if I could control car. Virtually every safety system shut down as simultaneously the speed control, collision monitoring and lane control all stopped working. Furthermore, dealer can't estimate when part is available or provide me a lender car. I am a cancer patient at risk! This car only has 17,000 miles and is not safe or reliable and the dealer won't help. Please help asap!
Oct 04, 2022
SEAT BELTS
2 complaints
There was a front-end collision into a stone wall. It appears the driver seatbelt failed and ripped upon impact. The driver died as a result of injuries sustained. There was a front passenger in the vehicle as well who was belted. The seatbelt for the front passenger worked correctly. That passenger had serious injuries but survived the collision. This fatal collision was investigated by Hillsborough, NJ Police, case # [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Feb 03, 2024
BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT ON THERE OWN, DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THEY MEET THE 49 CFR 571.209 STANDARD FOR RETRACTION FORCE AND ARE MUCH WEAKER THEN LOANER SUBARU OUTBACK.
Feb 19, 2020
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
2 complaints
My wife was driving her 2019 Subaru Forester (purchased new) and the Eyesight disabled and the check engine light came on. The car was still running, but not as it normally would. It had less power but would still maintain the speed limit. At home the car idled differently, like it was running too rich or too lean. The exhaust also smelled funny.
Jul 25, 2023
WHEN DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED THE CAR LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS .HAD TO PULL OVER AND LET CAR SIT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES THEN RESTARTED CAR. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BUT IT HAD VERY LOW POWER. CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE LOW POWER AND HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. CAR HAD 38,467 MILES AT THIS TIME. CAR FREQUENTLY HAS A KICKBACK FEEL WHEN ACCELERATING. WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL IT HAS A DELAY RESPONSE TO MOVE. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS ALSO A NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR AXEL OF CAR SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED. DEALER CONTINUES TO SAY IT'S A TIRE NOISE AND THEY DO NOT SEEM TO BELIEVE THE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR.
Aug 20, 2020
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaints
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly unintendedly accelerated. The contact depressed the brake pedal to regain control of the vehicle. The contact stated that approximately 10 minutes after the first failure, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.
Mar 15, 2023
SATURDAY, DEC 26, AROUND 2:30-3PM I WAS LEAVING ESTES PARK COLORADO, DRIVING DOWN A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD. AT THIS TIME I WAS APPLYING MY BRAKES AROUND THE CORNERS AND , CONSTANT ON/OFF FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. DURING ONE OF THESE BRAKING MOMENTS ON A CORNER MY CAR ACCELERATED INSTEAD, AS I'M APPLYING THE BRAKE, FOR 1-2 SECONDS. IT'S LIKE A LURCH FORWARD INSTEAD OF A BRAKE. THEN IT CORRECTED ITSELF AND DID NOT DO THIS AGAIN. I ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PHENOMENON WHEN DRIVING IN THE SNOW IN 2019. IT OCCURRED 3-4 TIMES WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN THE SNOW APPLYING THE BRAKE FREQUENTLY. THE CAR WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY LURCH FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. EACH TIME I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS I WAS DRIVING WITH ECO MODE ON, PRESSING THE BRAKE FREQUENTLY FOR A DURATION OF TIME. IT'S AS IF THE CAR GETS CONFUSED OR IS TRYING TO SWITCH GEARS. THIS IS MY FIRST AWD VEHICLE.
Dec 28, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
2 complaints
I was on a sharp incline at idle behind a line of cars, waiting for the light to turn green and my Subaru Forrester surged forward, out of my control, and hit the back of the vehicle in front of me, causing damage to my vehicle and the one in front of me. I questioned the Subaru service center regarding it and they did not have a means to report the incident to Subaru for investigation, but offered to do a service check on the transmission of the car. Coincidentally (or of uncertain significance), I had been waiting on a back ordered part from Subaru for a malfunctioning thermal control valve that caused a check engine light to be continually displayed on my dash, disabling some of the safety features of the vehicle. They assured me that the malfunctioning part would have nothing to do with any surging problems and that it was safe to drive the car until the part could be replaced.
Jan 22, 2022
MY CARS WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED FROM THE BASE UP OVER 12 INCHES. THE CURIOUS THING ABOUT IT IS I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT IN THREE WEEKS DUE TO FOOT SURGERY AND IT HAS BEEN PARKER. THERE ARE NO TREES OR POSSIBILITY OF DEBRIS NEARBY. I DIDN'T HAVE A CRACK BEFORE MY SURGERY, MY CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN NOR HAS IT BEEN TAMPERED WITH. I HAVE A CAMERA ON IT 24 HOURS A DAY THAT NOTIFIES ME IF ANYONE COMES NEAR. THE CRACK IS DEEP AND LONG AND SUBARU HAS BEEN REPORTED FOR THE SAFETY OF IT'S WINDSHIELDS BEING DEFECTIVE. SINCE I HAVEN'T DRIVEN ANYWHERE IT IS CONCERNING THAT MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED SO BADLY.
Mar 05, 2021
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 complaints
The contact's wife owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that as his wife attempted to park her vehicle into a parking spot, the vehicle independently accelerated while her foot was on the brake pedal without warning. The contact's wife steered the vehicle to avoid hitting other vehicles as the acceleration continued; she was eventually able to stop the vehicle. Prior to the failure, the contact stated that while his wife was driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning with her foot was on the accelerator pedal. His wife had to repeatedly depress the brake pedal before the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
Nov 16, 2021
OFTEN, BUT NOT ALWAYS, MOSTLY WHEN TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP AS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CAR WILL HESITATE AND LOSE POWER AND SPEED. THEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR SURGES FORWARD TOO FAST. I FEEL THAT I AM GOING TO STALL IN THE INTERSECTION.
Feb 04, 2020
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
2 complaints
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving in the rain at 55 mph, the vehicle spun a couple of times, then crashed into the median wall. The median wall brought the vehicle to a complete stop. The contact's driver's side seatbelt did not lock the contact into her seat during impact, which caused injuries to the contact's right arm, wrist, and hand. No air bags deployed upon impact. The contact and passenger were transported by ambulance to the hospital. The passenger sustained injuries to her left foot and bruising to her chest from the passenger side seatbelt, locking her into her seat during impact. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and remained at the dealer, awaiting steering parts and cosmetic repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and sent an inspector to investigate. The manufacturer informed the contact that the inspector found that the air bags and seatbelt were functioning properly. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Oct 28, 2021
I WAS INVOLVED IN A 4 CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS REAR ENDED BY TWO VEHICLES BEHIND ME WHICH SENT ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME; THEREFORE, I WAS THROW INTO THE WINDSHIELD SUPPORT POST AND SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH MY SUBARU AND PRAY FOR OTHERS OUT THERE WITH THIS VEHICLE! NEW BERN, NC
Sep 16, 2019
VISIBILITY,VISIBILITY/WIPER
2 complaints
WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT 3,400 MILES. *TR
Jun 13, 2020
WINDSHIELD STARTED A 6INCH CRACK WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD WHERE THE WIPERS WERE SITTING AT. IN ABOUT 12 HOURS, IT CRACK TO MORE THAN 12 INCH LONGER. ON DIFFERENT ONLINE FORUMS ABOUT SUBARU SUVS, THE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD APPEARS TO BE A FREQUENT, COMMON, YET NOT ADDRESSED PROBLEM BY SUBARU. *TR
Jun 02, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
2 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PELTIER SUBARU 3200 S SW LOOP 323, TYLER, TX 75701, (903)705-4300 FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 19V856000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE REMEDY PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PELTIER SUBARU 3200 S SW LOOP 323, TYLER, TX 75701 (903) 705-4300 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,259. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *DT*JB
Feb 10, 2020
1. WHEN START THE VEHICLE COLD OR WARM, THE ENGINE IS LOUD AND HIGH RPM FOR 60 SECONDS. VEHICLE SHAKES 2. AFTER 60 SECONDS, THE RATTLE/KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE KICKS IN AND STAYS ON. THE NOISE OCCURS 90% OF THE NUMBER OF TIMES STARTING THE VEHICLE. 3. HUGE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE FROM TAILPIPE WHEN STARTUP THE ENGINE. SMOKE GRADUALLY REDUCE 4. REAR TAIL GATE DOES NOT OPEN WHEN USING BUTTON ON REMOTE, BUTTON ON THE VEHICLE AND BUTTON RIGHT ON THE TAILGATE.
Dec 10, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2 complaints
WHEN I START MY CAR VIA SUBARU STARLINK THE FOLLOWING TECHNICAL ISSUES OCCUR VOICE OVER BLUETOOTH GETS DISTORTED, APPLE CARPLAY DOES NOT CONNECT OR AFFECTS RADIO FIRST WAS NOTICED JAN 23, 2019. ALSO, POWER REAR GATE DOOR WOULD FAIL AND WOULD NOT OPEN WITH REAR GATE BUTTON, DASH BUTTON OR VIA KEY FOB AS THIS ON AND OFF PROBLEM ALSO NOTICED AFTER CAR IS STARTED VIA REMOTE APP STARLINK. POWER GATE PROBLEM REPORTED FIRST ON JAN 23, 2019 AND CONTINUES THROUGH THE PRESENT DATE. EYESIGHT FAILED ON JUL 06, 2019 WHEN CAR WAS STARTED VIA STARLINK, JUL 07, 2019 EYESIGHT BACK ON AND FAILED AGAIN ON JUL 08, 2019 WHEN CAR WAS MANUALLY STARTED FROM PARKING POSITION. WHEN EYESIGHT FAILS IT EFFECT VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL WHICH ANALYZES STEERING ANGLE, ENGINE SPEED AND BRAKING CONDITIONS. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL FAILS TO WORK ANS WELL SUBARU REVERSE AUTOMATIC BREAKING. TOTAL MILES ON THE CAR 7321 AS OF JUL 08, 2019.
Jul 09, 2019
IN OUR 2 WEEK OLD 2019 FORESTER, WE WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65MPH AND FELT A SUDDEN JOLT AND THE CAR SHUT OFF: THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT OFF, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF, THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT WORK AND THE ACCELERATOR WASN'T WORKING. WE GUIDED THE CAR OFF THE FREEWAY AND SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. THE DEALER'S MASTER MECHANIC CANNOT FIND ANY CODE THAT TELLS THEM WHAT IS WRONG SO THEY TELL US THERE IS NOTHING TO FIX. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. THIS WAS A LIFE-THREATENING EVENT SO WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR FOR OURSELVES AND OTHER CARS ON THE FREEWAY. SUBARU IS NOT TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY. WE READ THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER "CAR STALL" PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO OURS WITH FORESTERS FROM OTHER YEARS.
Apr 12, 2019
BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
While I was driving on a major road, the car appeared to sense an issue and automatically started to brake. While I was a road with 55mph drivers, my car was forcing me to stop. May warning light appeared; Eyesight Issue, Check Engine, Brake and many others. I was able to disengage the crash prevention manually and continue to drive. When I took it to my mechanic, he told me all the codes went to a Technical Service Bulletin for the Thermo Control Valve. He reset the codes and told me to take it to Subaru for an under warranty repair. Once I left the mechanic, I was travelling home and the car had the same issues, again while driving on a very busy road. This time I could not disengage the system, and I struggled to get the car over to the left shoulder. It was very narrow, and not safe. I ended up having to have the car towed to the dealer. The dealer did fix the car, under warranty. However, twice I was caught on busy roads in a very dangerous situation. I am very glad that I was not injured, nor those that came to rescue me. But this should not have happened. The Technical Service Bulletin was issued on April of 2024 and I had no idea.
Oct 20, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
During severe stop/go, thick, holiday traffic on I-495 (DC Beltway), during daylight hours, once AGAIN (this has happened several times before), the auto engine shutoff feature catastrophically malfunctioned, turning the car off, and simultaneously, activated the entirety of the dashboard to flash on/off, causing nearly every indicator light to come on, and then had difficulty restarting. This has been brought to Subaru's attention multiple times and they essentially have washed their hands of it and stating since they can't duplicate it, it essentially must not be occurring and they cannot repair it.
May 25, 2025
SEATS,LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION
1 complaint
1) The seat is cracking on the drivers seat. The vehicle only has 64,000 miles on it. No word from Subaru. 2) Parking collision warning system works part of the time. Dangerous when the system does not detect a person or vehicle in the blind spot.
Mar 31, 2025
AIR BAGS,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
I got in my vehicle after getting gas. I was on my way to Neosho, MO, hundreds of miles from home. Thes lights were all on and I couldn't get them to go off. I figured it was because my windshield was dirty. I turned my wipers on to find out one needed replaced. I paid $30 for 1 since I have an odd type of wipers and I had been to 3 auto stores to find it. The Eye Sight, brake, check engine, air bag, and lane assist lights never went off. Now they come on randomly and go off randomly. This causes all safety features to not work. No adaptive cruise control, nothing. I finally got them to go off somehow the day I came back home. I live nowhere near a Subaru dealer. It had no other effect on my vehicle as far as I could tell. Now when they come on. I pull over until they come back on or have to drive it home to sit.
Mar 07, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
[XXX], driving home, dark at [XXX] in Airway Heights WA. About 10 mins to home, lights in dashboard suddenly lit (brake, check engine, battery icon, water temp icon, 2 yellow colored pictures that had the word “off”, park, ABS, exclamation point next to a circle that had a symbol in circle like a Mercedes Benz, and another symbol colored yellow). I kept driving with very little power in the car and it was hard turning the wheels to left or right turns. I was so scared thinking I would be stranded in the middle of the street! Made it to my carport and drove it in. Turned off car; attempted to restart but didn’t, and during the times I started the car, it would make a stuttering noise. The lights that lit up remained, wouldn’t turn off until attempt to start again when the lights all turned off. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Dec 29, 2024
LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
Improper glass installed by safelight adas unable to be calibrated
Aug 07, 2024
WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
Upon getting a flat tire on the front passenger side tire, two of the vehicles wheel studs and lug nuts were seized together and broke off when using hand tools to remove the lug nuts. The metal was extremely soft and broke off easily. All 5 lugs and nuts needed replacement.
Jul 26, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to approximately 80 MPH unintendedly. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle spun several times, causing her to lose control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle hit several power generator boxes while spinning. The vehicle then turned around and drove across the street unintendedly, and the front end of the vehicle crashed into a pine tree. The contact stated that the forward collision avoidance failed to engage. The air bags failed to deploy. The neighbors assisted the contact out of the vehicle. The contact stated that she was shocked and was assisted in a chair. The contact that she later felt pain all over the body and was taken to the hospital, where she was informed that she had sustained a broken sternum, bruises, and pain all over the body. The insurance company towed the vehicle to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent a field engineer who retrieved the EDR from the vehicle. The manufacturer later informed the contact that the information retrieved from the EDR indicated that there was no vehicle malfunction and that the air bags had not deployed because the impact was not significant. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
Apr 24, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,LANE DEPARTURE
1 complaint
I am concerned as my car was safely parked, once I started it and it said eyesight off, flashing S symbol, the heat thermo Stat changes back and forth from hot and cold, car is not warming up and check engine light came on. I am very concerned as it is the winter, and I have my baby in the car. Please advise. This seems very unusual and never happened before. The vehicle have around 23K miles.
Jan 11, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
All of a sudden, the eyesight and collision prevention stopped working, the check engine light came on, the blue light thermostat indicator came on. We had no heat. The flashing "S" (sportsmode indicator) came on. We were driving on the highway and still over an hour from home. It was snowing, we could not adequately clear the windshield of fog so our visibility was severely compromised. We lost all Eye Sight capability which meant that we were vulnerable if there was ever a crash or an obstruction in the roadway.
Dec 31, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
The engine cuts out and stalls while turning through an intersection (with danger of being rear ended) or driving through parking lots at low speed. The car will zoom forward right after that, usually while in a parking lot nearly hitting pedestrians on several occasions! This issue is a frequent occurrence becoming more dangerous the past 2 years. We have our car serviced at the Subaru dealership in Prescott, AZ and have told them about this. They tell us the same thing when we tell them what it does, they say "NO IT DOESN'T".
Dec 27, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,LANE DEPARTURE
1 complaint
On Friday, December 15, 2023 I started my car, Subaru Forester Touring 2019. After starting these lights came on the dashboard: check engine, flashing S drive, no eyesight, RAB off. I was reading online that there have been complaints to NHTSA similar to my problem ( NHTSA ID # 11490232, 12479843, 11511658, 11490977, 11479843, 11499756, 11480952, 11491752, 11474804) to name a few reports.This has never happenedbefore. The mileage on my car is about 54,400 miles at time of incident. It seems to me that there is a pattern here that needs to be resolved and the owners informed so they can get if fixed before it happens and causes safety problems for Subaru Forester owners. I am kindly asking your office to seriously look into this specific problem and help us, the consumers, to inform Subaru to fix these issues. I thank you for taking the time to read my letter.
Dec 15, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
The Eyesight feature went out and the heater went out and I took the car to a mechanic and he said it had a faulty thermo control valve that needs replacement.
Dec 12, 2023
ENGINE,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
The temperature control valve (TCV) has gone bad and so the check engine light is on and reverse automatic braking and the Eyesight system is disabled. The problem with the temperature control valve is unrelated to the safety systems, however, when this valve goes bad, these safety systems are disabled automatically.
Oct 23, 2023
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
When driving, ALL lights on the dash went on and vehicle safety features did not work- no cruise control, automatic breaking, automatic headlight adjustments, etc. We were over 500 miles from home and had the oil changed but it did not fix the problem. Had $72,000 miles on it, 4 years old. We had to drive home that distance to get it repaired over a 2-3 day period. No safety features were enabled as we drove. Thermo Control Valve was deemed faulty and replaced. Seeing after the fact that the TSB was issued without any VIN numbers: [XXX] , I believe it should include our VIN number and be recalled and the replacement paid for. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Sep 01, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
2019 Subaru Forester Premier. 6/29/23 All ok while driving for 3 hours on highways. Never had any issues before. I stopped car to take a break, when I restarted the car. All the warning lights lit ou and eye-site was off and could not be turned on. Check engine light on along with many others. Had 30 minutes more to go, stopped a few more times to check on the engine compartment - all ok. Brought it to the dealer today, 6/30/23, they were going to need 4 hours to replace a Thermo Coupler Valve? Issued a loaner car, and said Subaru will cover it under warranty even though it has expired. Only 24500 miles on a 2019 Forester.
Jun 30, 2023
POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
Was driving in the right-hand lane on the interstate with the cruise control set, went to change lanes as I was approaching a slower moving semi truck going up an incline. Cruise control deactivated with no inputs from myself. Vehicle began to decelerate. Looked at instrument cluster, the Check Engine Light was on along with Eye Sight Off symbol. Additional symbols for forward collision avoidance and rear active braking were also on. No warning signs were present prior to the cruise control turning off. The unexpected loss of power increases the risk of collision while traveling on the highway. Vehicle was taken a Subaru dealer, diagnosed with code P2682, Coolant Bypass valve performance, with a recommendation to replace the coolant bypass valve.
Jun 23, 2023
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
Driving home for 15 minutes. parked on left turn lane, slight incline. when traffic light turned green, i stepped on the gas and the engine stalled. I remember seeing "eyesight disabled" warning light come on. I put vehicle in park, shut it off, and turned engine back on. I was able to drive home. possible system failure - fuel system, auto/stop feature? yes, available to inspect safety - 5:30pm heavy traffic on 4 lane highway0. blocked traffic turning left. no where to pull over. have not taken vehicle to mechanic or been inspected. I saw no warning lights prior to vehicle stalling, or experienced any engine anomalies.
Jun 08, 2023
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
Eye-sight system shutdown and the car, although it was drivable, ran rough. Since there is a huge reliance on the monitors as they are designed to "forward think" to aid the driver, this was a major disruption to the driving experience. Not knowing what the disabled components affected, was a huge cause for alarm. Upon seeing the check engine light come, my wife brought the car home and I hooked up my device to read the code (P26A3 - showed up). Then I looked up that code and was directed to multiple incidents where that very same thing has become frequent on this model and a few others like it. We called the Winston-Salem NC Subaru Dealer (Flow) and they suggested we bring the Forester in for a check. Once they checked the vehicle out and confirmed the code we mentioned, they told us the "TCV" problem was found on our vehicle and they have seen others with the same problem. They even had the parts in stock to make the repair that day! They kept the parts and said they were going to be sent back to Subaru of America for analysis.Interesting detail: once we drove the repaired vehicle, it ran better than it ever had and the only work they did was to fix the TCV issue (according to the repair paperwork).
May 05, 2023
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
Auto safety systems compromised with illumination of check engine light and engine temp warning light. Subaru dealership service department determined problem with Thermo Control Valve. Engine was not overheating as the vehicle was being driven in winter time, February in Alaska. Only indication of problem was indicator lights and reduced heat from cabin heat system. Vehicle went into "limp" mode as soon as warning lights illuminated, disabling advanced safety systems.
Feb 21, 2023
POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
Driving uphill when the car suddenly jolted, lost power, and all warning lights became illuminated. All safety features were disabled as well. The sudden stop almost resulted in being rear ended and the car was barely drivable afterwards. Diagnostic trouble codes: P26A6, P2004, P2005, P060B, P0191, P24B9, P2200, P2400.
Feb 02, 2023
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
1 complaint
The engines shut down or stalled on me while driving completely. It did not accelerate when I was trying to move the car off the road. the engines sputtered / shaken , all the lights came up on the dash board, smokes started to come out of my engines. this problem is similar to the recent Subaru recall on the fuel pump. Please add 2019 Forester on your list of recalls. This is a serious and dangerous issue, i could have been killed if I was dring on the freeway. I was lucky it shut down on a little local street when I was dring slow , about 30 - 35 mpg. Imagine if this happened on the freeway, it could have created a chain reaction , and a lot more people will be involved, and deaths might be involved. Please add Subaru 2019 forester sport on your list immediately because deaths involved. Thank you.
Dec 18, 2022
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
On 10/7/2022, all the warning lights came on and stayed on, even after tightening the fuel cap and replacing the battery. I brought the car to Ocala Subaru this morning, and paid for a diagnostic that shows the Thermal Control Valve needs replacement. Apparently this is now a common problem on this year and model Subaru. I was told that this is not covered under the powertrain warranty, even though it is part of the engine assembly, and is a very expensive repair, even though the car has only 43,669 miles on it. I was told the part is on national back order and that the car is okay to drive, but that most of the safety systems that have the lit warning lights are now disabled. This is the car my wife uses to transport our 6-year-old granddaughter to school and swim practice and events, as well as elsewhere, and I feel this has compromised their safety and warrants a recall.
Oct 11, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,LANE DEPARTURE
1 complaint
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH the RBD warning light stated off, as well as the Lane Keep, Eyesight, ABS off, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated he noticed that several unknown safety features became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the gasket for the heater control valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the parts were not available at the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and a voicemail was left. The failure mileage was 47,500.
Oct 05, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION
1 complaint
I recently bought this vehicle (used) with ~1900 miles. After 1.5 months of owning the vehicle, I suddenly had several warning lights as well as systems disabled within the vehicle. The first time this occurred I was about 2 hours into a drive, and suddenly my eyesight disabled, check engine light came on, cruise control disabled, lane departure disabled, collision warning and automatic braking disabled. After pulling over to inspect, I also realized my trunk would no longer open. I took it to a dealership who said it was due to low battery voltage—despite there being no spectacular incidents to drain the battery since I purchased the vehicle. They recharged the battery and the problem was temporarily fixed. However, once I retrieved my vehicle from the dealership the check engine light and disabled features were still prevalent. I once again had them recharge the battery—despite there again being no events causing the battery to drain—to which the problem was solved. Again, about an hour into my drive back home, the check engine light and features suddenly disabled. This is detrimental to my safety as a driver—as every safety feature suddenly disables without warning during my drive.
Aug 10, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
Braking for stop - brake pedal sinks, car accelerates ; requires extreme brake pedal push to stop car. A very unsafe condition. No warning or any dash board indication. Happened several times already.
Aug 03, 2022
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
The lane keeping assist even when shut off prevents lane changes. A truck drifted into my lane and I had to use extreme force to steer over the car. The collision assist will randomly brake at high way speeds, also while off. The brakes will get squishy, not properly engage and make funny noises while the parking collision is off as well.
Jun 15, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE
1 complaint
Car caught fire after a relatively slow (less than 35 mph) collision with a Chevrolet Tahoe. Other vehicle was driveable, my Subaru Forester caught fire.
Apr 01, 2022
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
The failure is affected by the braking system and control logic of the ignition key switch, gear shift and emergency break button. A coffee cup at the drive through collapsed spilling coffee. Through a sequence of moves I found myself rolling out of the drive up line, across the parking lot right towards the sidewalk and highway on the other side. The engine was off, the brakes would not function, I could not move the shift lever and the ignition key would not re-start the car! I had no control or ability to change anything in the span of 10 seconds. Only the landscaped run of bushes at the edge of the parking lot saved us. At the drive up window the car was in neutral. I could not change the position of the shifter if I had my foot on the break as we were rolling. Nor could I restart the engine with my foot off the break and rolling. At the end of the roll when stopped I think the shift lever was in the reverses R position. Despite several tries I could not operate the emergency break. There were no warnings from the smart car system. I was able to test out a few sequences that would cause the same circumstances. I did not go to the dealer yet, there were no police involved or damage done other than hot coffee on me and my front seat. Engineers designing "smarts" in new vehicles have over-engineered the controls creating a major overall hazard because the systems are too complicated. More training for new car owners is not a solution. Up until the 21st century cars had a true emergency break that could be operated by hand or foot to apply the rear emergency brakes. Now they are all operated electronically with a button, which is not available unless the car is running. This is not just a problem with our car. It is a problem with most autos built today, domestic and foreign. Somewhere along the line we lost our focus on what an emergency brake is for.
Mar 12, 2022
STEERING,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
On December 30, 2021, I was driving on I-95 S around 4 pm about 1/2 a mile from exit 43B when my 2019 Subaru Forester with 64,000 miles stalled in the middle of the highway. I was going about Highway speed during rush hour 55-65 pmh when the check engine light came ON, the EyeSight feature light came ON, and the emergency Brake light came ON. Scariest moment in my life. The vehicle stalled, the steering got really stiff, and the vehicle started sputtering along probably at 2 mph. I managed to make my way to the breakdown lane and called Subaru Starlink Roadside Assistance. After towing the vehicle to the dealership, the diagnosis revealed that both tumble generators on the Air Intake Manifold failed and I also needed a fuel line replacement. After doing a lot of research on the internet it appears that Subaru Foresters have a history of these failures and there has been a number of recalls for this particular model detailing the vehicle losing power or stalling. Unfortunately, the dealership and corporate Subaru refuse to cover the full cost of the repairs as they claim the vehicle is past the warranty period; they have $750 to cover $1800 worth of repairs. This is clearly a safety issue and defect, and Subaru is clearly neglecting its responsibility to cover known defects from the factory.
Jan 12, 2022
POWER TRAIN,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
The car was parked for a week while visiting. (It has recently had its 30,000 mi.service) When I got in and started it, all the dashboard lights lit up including check engine. I tried reaching a Subaru near where I was visiting. No luck so I called my Subaru in VT. I was told I was safe to go as long as the Check Engine wasn't blinking. It wasn't so I drove home (I did note the steering wheel felt "tight".) When I went into the dealership upon my return, they did their computer diagnostic test. It was explained it could be as simple as not tightening the gas cap. The computer turned up something in the wheel. At first, he wanted to give me an appointment a week and a half out, but then found a car he could loan me that following Monday. I wanted to know why they needed it several days. He said it was to figure out the issue. When I asked if it was safe to drive, he said it was but there was a possibility of being on the highway and losing control/not being able to stop, but that was rare. I asked about the change in steering, as though the power steering was lost, and he explained they don't have that kind of system. I drove home slowly and went no where except Sunday when I drove a couple of miles to a farm stand close by. Upon returning into the driveway, I put it in reverse to park. It accelerated and when I tried braking, it wouldn't respond. It was a though everything was locked. The car jolted. Sped. Jolted. The side airbags deployed. My arm was banged up from the airbags but nothing broken. I did not mistake the accelerator for the brake. The floor mat did not get stuck under the accelerator (I've Weather Tech Mats.) When the car got towed, it started. The tow driver said it should not have done that with the side airbags deployed. (It won't let me type in the box How Fast Were You Going. It should have been 2mph. The car accelerated and lack of braking and control contributed to the crash.
Nov 05, 2021
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1 complaint
The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal needed to be depressed to the floorboard to stop the vehicle. Additionally, the steering wheel would jerk out of the contact's hand while at a stoplight. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that it was normal. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact traded the vehicle in for another vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
Sep 30, 2021
VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that since owning the vehicle in October 2019, five separate cracks had formed on the windshield due to various small debris hitting the windshield while driving at various speeds. On five separate occasions, the contact had taken the vehicle to the same independent mechanic who replaced the windshield each time. Despite each repair, the same failure would occur soon after replacement. Currently, the contact stated that there were two cracks on her windshield, one that had formed on the lower driver side of the windshield and another on the bottom side of the passenger’s side windshield. The contact stated that the cracks obstructed her view while driving. The contact stated that there were several dents on the hood. She had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed her that the dents were caused by acorns falling onto the hood. The contact was informed that the hood metal was very soft. She also mentioned that while driving at various speeds or even going through a car wash, the hood would wobble due to the wind and air would circulate through the hood. The dealer had been notified of the failure and informed her that they were unaware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Jul 27, 2021
AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while her mother was driving at 25 mph, the engine revved and the vehicle independently accelerated to 50 mph. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal but the vehicle continued to the accelerator. As a result, the driver went off the road, through a field, crashed into a few tree stumps, and a playground fence. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a sore neck and a couple of bruises but did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a collision center. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,099.
Jul 16, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AUTO START WAS DISABLED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND SHUT-OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CIOCCA SUBARU OF ALLENTOWN (4611 HAMILTON BLVD, ALLENTOWN, PA 18103, (844) 210-1314) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HOOD SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Mar 19, 2021
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
1 complaint
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN SLOWLY PULLING INTO APARKING SPOT. CAR RAN OVER AND DISLODGED A PARKING CURB. THE CAR ENDED UP RESTING AGAINST A FENCE. A TOW TRUCK HAD TO PULL THE CAR BACKWARDS TO GET THE CAR OVER THE CURB. THE DEALER HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY A THIRD PARTY WHO FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $1000
Feb 18, 2021
STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE
1 complaint
I NOTICED A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH SUBARU'S LANE KEEP ASSIST SAFETY FEATURE: WHEN DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OVER AN AREA WHERE THE DOTTED LINE HAD BEEN PAINTED OVER WITH DARK PAINT (BY ROAD WORKERS TO COVER IT UP FOR A NEW LANE TO BE PAINTED) LANE KEEP ASSIST REGISTERED IT AS A LINE THAT STILL EXISTS AND FORCEFULLY STEERED ME INTO THE LANE ON MY LEFT. TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN THAT LANE, I FORCEFULLY TURNED TO THE WHEEL IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. LUCKILY I AM A HEALTHY MAN WHO WAS ABLE TO STEER MYSELF BACK INTO MY LANE, BUT IT TURNED MY WHEEL WITH ABOUT THREE TIMES THE FORCE OF REGULAR LANE ASSIST: I THINK MANY PEOPLE INCLUDING YOUNGER PEOPLE AND THE ELDERLY ARE AT AN EVEN HIGHER RISK LEVELS IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL LIKE I DID. IT WAS A MUCH MORE FORCEFUL TURN THAN SUBARU'S REGULAR 'NON-URGENT' LANE KEEP ASSIST. THERE WERE NO VISUAL OBSTRUCTIONS PRESENT THAT THE EYESIGHT CAMERA WAS PICKING UP: IT WAS REGISTERING THE OLD LINE THAT HAD BEEN PAINTED OVER. THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BECAUSE NOT ONLY IS THIS A SAFETY RISK FOR ANY TYPE OF ROAD WORK THAT PAINTS OVER LINES DURING CONSTRUCTION OR REPAINTING, BUT THIS ALSO POSES AN IMMEDIATE DANGER TO LIFE AND HEALTH TO PEOPLE DRIVING ON ROADS WITH LINES THAT HAVE BEEN PAINTED OVER AND LEFT IN THAT CONDITION. THE COMPUTER REGISTERED THE DARK LINE, MEANT TO VISUALLY COVER UP THE OLD PAINT, AS A WHITE LINE! I CONFIRMED THAT THIS IS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE AND NOT JUST INCIDENTAL WITH ME. I FOUND A POST ON A SUBARU FORUM WHERE TWO PEOPLE DESCRIBE THE SAME SITUATION I HAD. I WILL LINK THAT BELOW. HTTPS://WWW.ASCENTFORUMS.COM/THREADS/LANE-KEEP-ASSIST-MALFUNCTION.9530/ I TRIED REACHING OUT TO SUBARU BUT THEY DID NOT REPLY. I BROUGHT THIS UP TO MY SUBARU DEALER WHO ONLY CHECKED FOR RECALLS. I NEED THIS TO GET THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE HERE. THEY PROBABLY ALREADY HAVE.
Dec 28, 2020
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
1 complaint
WHEN DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STARTS TO JERK VERY STRONG AND HIGHWAY SPEED IS LOST MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL AND SUBARU IS NOT FIXING THE ISSUE. THE JERKING IS SO VIOLENT THAT IT COULD BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD FOR DRIVERS AND ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. THE JERKING HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS AND SOMETIMES IT IS MORE STRONG.
Sep 20, 2020
EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
THE GPS SYSTEM IS UNSAFE. IT SAYS "EXIT RIGHT AHEAD", WHICH WOULD IMPLY THAT YOU SHOULD EXIT AT THE NEXT EXIT. BUT IT SAYS THIS WHEN THE EXIT PROGRAMMED IS THE 2ND OR 3RD EXIT. MY WIFE TRIED TO EXIT AT THE NEXT EXIT, AND THEN AT THE LAST MINUTE, SHE REALIZED THAT IT WAS WRONG AND SHE SWERVED BACL ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. SUBURU HAS TO REPROGRAM THE GPS SYSTEM SO THAT IT DOESN'T SAY "EXIT RIGHT AHEAD" WHEN IT ISN'T THE CORRECT EXIT. THEY SHOULD THEN ISSUE A RECALL AND REPROGRAM SUBURU OWNERS GPS SYSTEM FOR FREE. *TR
Jun 25, 2020
SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES,VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
BRAKES: THE CAR ACCELERATE WITHOUT ANY ACTION DURING DRIVING. WIPER: WIPER BLADE MAKE A NOISE LIKE ITS ABOUT TO FALL APART. SEAT BELT: SEAT BELT INSTALL IN A PLACE THAT( FRONT BOTH SEATS) THERE IS NO SPACE BETWEEN SEAT AND CAR BODY. *TR
May 19, 2020
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES IN A SIX-MONTH PERIOD. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE HOOD AND THE THICKNESS OF THE GLASS IN THE WINDSHIELD WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE FAILURES. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION WHENEVER THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BACKUP CAMERA FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE STOP/START FUNCTION WAS REACTIVATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE IDLED ROUGHLY AND LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOORE CHRYSLER JEEP FIAT (8600 W BELL RD, PEORIA, AZ 85382, 800-757-0140) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50.
May 07, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN DC OF 2018. SINCE THEN IT HAS HAD A SERIES OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES DATING BACK TO AS EARLY JUNE OF 2019. THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING AND I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO GET SERVICED. MY FIRST RED FLAG. THEN THE BATTERY RANDOMLY DIED WHILE WAITING PARKED IN DECEMBER (TEMPERATURE THAT DAY WAS ABOVE FREEZING). AFTER THAT INSTANCE, I HAD SEVERAL MORE DEAD BATTERY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. FAST FORWARD TO 2 WEEKS AGO WHERE AGAIN MY BATTERY DIED, I GOT THE CAR JUMPED AND THE BATTERY KEPT DYING THE NEXT DAY. RECENTLY HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED BY THE DEALER (TUESDAY) AND AGAIN THE BATTERY DIED THE NEXT TIME I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE! THE CAR ALSO HAS OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES REGARDING THE START/STOP FEATURE. I'VE HAD INSTANCES WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND I HAD TO MANUALLY RESTART IT. THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED CONSTANTLY VARIES. THE CAR DOESN'T ALWAYS RECOGNIZE WHEN I PLUG IN MY PHONE. IT SEEMS THAT ANY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR SIMPLY DON'T WORK AND ARE NOT RELIABLE. SUBARU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR ALLOWING THIS DEATH TRAP OF A VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND A 2019 SUBARU FORRESTER TO ANYONE LOOKING TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT AN EXPENSIVE HEADACHE SINCE THE MOMENT I PURCHASED IT. THE IRONY OF IT ALL IS THAT I TRADED IN MY OLD 2014 SUBARU FORRSTOR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT HAD "ELECTRICAL ISSUES" ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND I WAS BETTER OFF GETTING A NEW CAR. ME, BEING NAIVE TRUSTED THEIR ADVICE AND DROVE OFF WITH THIS 2019 HUNK OF PROBLEMS. I HOPE THIS MESSAGE SERVES TO ANY PROSPECTIVE BUYER OF ANY SUBARU VEHICLE TO DO THEIR OWN HOMEWORK IN REGARDS TO WHAT THEY ARE PURCHASING.
Apr 04, 2020
ENGINE,VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
2 ISSUES 1. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND THE CAR IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD. 2. THE ENGINE PULSES AS IF STUCK BETWEEN GEARS WHEN DOING 75+MPH, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING UPHILL. THERE ARE FLUCTUATIONS IN ACCELERATION THAT MAKE IT FEEL LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO STALL.
Mar 16, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
WE HAVE A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER, PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN WITH THE EYESIGHT SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES FOR NO REASON, AND TURNING ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES. THE MAJOR ISSUE HAS BEEN THE SLAMMED ON BRAKES WHEN THE ROAD AHEAD WAS CLEAR, JARRING ME AND PASSENGERS, MY WIFE LITERALLY HAD WHIPLASH AND A HEADACHE FROM THE EXTREME, UNEXPECTED BRAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN A VEHICLE IN FROM OF US MADE A RIGHT TURN, ROAD AHEAD IS CLEAR, TRAVELING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MPH, SENSORS MUST BE PICKING UP THE CORNER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE AS WE APPROACH, LOCKING UP THE BRAKES, THINKING IT IS STILL IN FRONT OF US. ANOTHER INCIDENT, EYESIGHT SENSING AN EMPTY PAPER BAG BEING BLOWN ACROSS THE HIGHWAY, SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION FROM A DRIVER BEHIND US IF THEY WERE FOLLOWING TO CLOSE, LIKE IS THE NORM IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. ANOTHER EVENT, A DOG RAN ACROSS THE FREEWAY, EYESIGHT NEVER ACTIVATED, I THOUGHT I HAD BRAKED AND CLEARED THE DOG, HE KEPT RUNNING, NO IMPACT, FOUND DAMAGE TO FRONT END UPON INSPECTION. ANOTHER ISSUE UNRELATED TO EYESIGHT, THE DEFROSTER BLOWER MOTOR DOES NOT RESPOND TO HIGH SETTING WHEN FIRST TURNED TO HIGH TO CLEAR WINDOW FOG, IT TAKES 3 TO 5 MINUTES BEFORE IT RAMPS UP TO HIGH SPEED. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF OUR SALESPERSON AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT OUR SUBARU DEALERSHIP, MAYBE BE A CALIBRATION ISSUE, PROGRAM ISSUE WITH THE EYESIGHT SENSORS, THEY REFUSED TO DOCUMENT ANYTHING I SHARED AND TOLD ME THEIR IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT. THERE IS NO MORE LOVE IN OUR SUBARU, AND NO CONCERN FOR SAFETY AT THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER 2019 SUBARU FORESTER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME EYESIGHT ISSUES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE WE LEASED THE VEHICLE OCTOBER 2018 TO RECENTLY ON 2/20/2020. I WAS INFORMED TO FILE THIS BY THE OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL WHILE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THEM.
Feb 27, 2020
STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
I WAS PARKING AT A BUSY SKI CENTER, CAR IN DRIVE AS I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO AN OPEN SPACE, CAR IN FIRST ROW OF VEHICLES FACING A SMALL ROAD. THE ROAD CONNECTS THE PARKING LOT WITH THE SKI SHOP . 5 MPH WOULD BE NORMAL SPEED ON THIS ROAD, WHERE PEDESTRIAN SKIERS WALK FROM THE LOT TO THE SKI SHOP. BEFORE I COULD STOP TO TURN OFF THE CAR, THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING CRAZILY, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. I WAS ABLE TO STEER ONTO THE ROAD, CAR ACCELERATING FASTER AND FASTER, NO BRAKES, NO CONTROL. THERE WAS A SMALL CAR DRIVING SLOWLY SOME DISTANCE AHEAD, AND I WAS GAINING ON IT FAST, A SPLIT SECOND AWAY FROM CRUSHING IT, SO I DELIBERATELY SWERVED INTO A SNOWBANK, HIT SOME TREES, AND THAT FINALLY STOPPED MY CAR. I WAS UNHURT. EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE AND PASSENGER DOOR DAMAGE FRONT AND BACK, AND ROOF RACK DAMAGE. POLICE CAME TO THE SCENE, CAR WAS TOWED BY FLATBED BACK TO THE DEALER. INSURANCE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER WILL EXAMINE THE VEHICLE THOROUGHLY, WILL REMOVE THE "BLACK BOX" TO FIND WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF BRAKES. THIS EXAMINATION MAY TAKE 4-6 WEEKS. SO FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED. I CANNOT ESTIMATE WHAT SPEED THE CAR REACHED ON ITS OWN.
Feb 22, 2020
AIR BAGS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
TRAVELING FROM RI TO WESTERN NY. DEPARTED RI IN AM WITH MODERATE RAINFALL WHEN "EYESIGHT DISABLED" INDICATOR FLASHED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF HALF HOUR. WHEN RAIN SUBSIDED, INDICATOR DISAPPEARED. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, WAS DRIVING 65-70MPH ON STRAIGHT SECTION OF MAJOR INTERSTATE WITH GOOD VISIBILITY, APPROACHING A HIGHWAY OVERPASS WHEN "OBSTACLE DETECTED" WARNING APPEARED DESPITE NO OBSTACLE IN ROAD, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER CAR WENT INTO A SLOW SPIN (FELT AS IF FLOATING) TOWARDS LEFT, STRIKING A GUARDRAIL UNDERNEATH THE OVERPASS HEAD-ON AND CONTINUING TO SPIN 360 DEGREES AT WHICH POINT I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT FELT AS IF BRAKES HAD ENGAGED (? CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING SYSTEM) ALTHOUGH I DID NOT HAVE FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL AND I DID NOT ATTEMPT TO BRAKE WHILE IN THE SPIN AS I FEARED ROLLING THE VEHICLE. DESPITE EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN ALBANY, NY AND CURRENTLY AWAITING EVALUATION BY INSURANCE ADJUSTER. OF NOTE, 5 MONTHS EARLIER THE WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED WHEN HIT WITH SMALL ROCK AND WAS REPLACED AT SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.
Feb 10, 2020
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
WHILE DRIVING AND VEHICLE IN MOTION, INTERMITTENTLY THE FOLLOWING INDICATOR/WARNING LIGHTS COME ON, STAY ON, GO OFF, AND COME BACK ON AGAIN WITHOUT ANY PATTERN: THE BSD/RCTA WARNING, THE AUTO START STOP, HILL DESCENT CONTROL, ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE/BRAKING, LANE ASSIST, AND EYESIGHT. ONE OR MORE WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN SOMETIMES GOES OFF EVERY TIME I DRIVE. STARTED ON JANUARY 18TH-STILL HAPPENING FEB 1, 2020.. HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF ROAD CONDITION (DRY, WET), TEMPERATURE (VERY COLD, WARM (40 DEGREES), OR SPEED (25 MPH TO 60 MPH). THIS HAS HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY, CITY, RURAL ROADS. THE DRIVER TOUCHES NOTHING AND DOES NOTHING TO BEGIN/END THESE. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS STAY ON AND THEN WHEN TRIP IS ENDED, VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE LIGHTS REMAIN ON. SOMETIMES NEXT TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE LIGHTS ARE OFF. THE LANE ASSIST INDICATOR AND AUTO BRAKING IN PARTICULAR, ARE OF CONCERN. THE LANE ASSIST COMES ON (ON ITS OWN) AND IS WHITE'THEN, WHILE DRIVING, IT TURNS GREEN AND TRIES TO STEER THE CAR OFF TO THE RIGHT 'THE DRIVER HAS TO HOLD ON TIGHT AND FIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAR. THIS SEEMS VERY UNSAFE. THE DRIVER HAS TRIED TURNING OFF THESE LIGHTS/FUNCTIONS WHEN THEY JUST POP UP'WHILE DRIVING'BUT IF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, CANNOT ALLOW FOR THESE DISTRACTIONS. IF CLEAR/NO TRAFFIC, DRIVER ATTEMPTS SHUTTING OFF THESE FEATURES BY PRESSING THE BUTTONS WITH THESE ICONS 'ON THE CENTER REAR VIEW MIRROR PANEL OR ON THE LOWER LEFT PANEL BELOW DASHBOARD. SOMETIMES THIS WORKS, SOMETIMES DOESN'T AND THEY REMAIN ON. THE UNEXPECTED NATURE OF WARNING LIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF AND DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL ARE REALLY CAUSING CONCERN. IT IS LIKE THE CAR IS POSSESSED. THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE (5 MONTHS). DEALER CONTACTED FOR SERVICE BUT TOLD HAD TO WAIT 3 WEEKS FOR APPOINTMENT. TRYING NOT TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT UNTIL THEN...
Feb 01, 2020
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
1. WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION (AND UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS) ON HIGHWAYS, MY FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED 4X SINCE TAKING DELIVERY OF NEW VEHICLE AT THE END OF JULY 2019. ONCE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKS, IT CONTINUES TO SPREAD. DURING THE PROCESS OF PAYING FOR THE VEHICLE, I WAS ENCOURAGED AT EVERY STEP TO PURCHASING ADDITIONAL WINDSHIELD COVERAGE TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IN CASE IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE EYESIGHT CAMERA SYSTEM. THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED ON THE INTERSTATE, A STATE TOLLWAY, AND A HIGHWAY. 2. THE BLUE TEMPERATURE LIGHT TURNS ON FOR FIVE MINUTES OR MORE WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DISMISS ME SAYING THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION OF THE CAR (WHICH WAS NOT MENTIONED DURING THE SALES PROCESS) AND TO JUST WAIT UNTIL THE BLUE TEMPERATURE LIGHT GOES OUT BEFORE DRIVING THE CAR. WHEN TAKING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FOR 4TH TIME, THEY FINALLY LISTENED TO ME AND ADDED CHECKING THE COOLANT TO THE LIST BUT IT HAS BEEN A FIGHT TO HAVE THIS LOOKED AT. 3. WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND WITH NO OTHER CARS IN FRONT OF ME, TO THE SIDE OR BEHIND ME, THE CAR PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND BRAKED THE CAR ON ITS OWN. THERE WAS NO PRE-WARNING THAT THE CAR WAS GOING TO BRAKE. 4. THE CAR AUTO LIGHT ON AND OFF FUNCTION DOES NOT FULLY TURN ON THE CAR LIGHTS AT NIGHT. 5. WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, I HEAR A BIG KA-THUNK SOUND FROM THE FRONT LEFT OF THE CAR. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH WAY THE STEERING IS BEING TURNED. ORDERED THE CAR IN JUNE 2019, WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WOULDN'T BE READY UNTIL MID-AUG. DUE TO THE FACTORY SHUTTING DOWN FOR A TWO WEEK HOLIDAY IN JAPAN, RECEIVED NOTICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN DELIVERED MUCH EARLIER THAN EXPECTED IN JULY.
Jan 08, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,LANE DEPARTURE
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE AUTOMATIC SAFETY FEATURES FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-55 MPH AND CHANGING LANES, THE LANE DEPARTURE WARNING FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Dec 09, 2019
EQUIPMENT
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED DUE TO A CHAIN REACTION TOTALING SEVEN OTHER VEHICLES. WHEN THE CONTACT PUSHED THE SOS BUTTON INSIDE HER VEHICLE, SHE SPOKE WITH STARLINK AND WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD BE CONNECTED TO 911. INSTEAD, THE "YOUR CALL CANNOT BE COMPLETED AS DIALED, PLEASE TRY YOUR CALL AGAIN LATER" MESSAGE WAS HEARD. ALSO, THE STARLINK APP INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AT 100%; HOWEVER, THE BLIND SIDE DETECTION HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE CRASH. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT CALLED SUBARU STARLINK AND WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT HEARD BACK AND THEN CALLED SUBARU AMERICA. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD OPEN AN IT TICKET. THE CONTACT FOLLOWED-UP WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND FOUND THAT NOTHING HAD BEEN DONE AND A TICKET WAS NOT OPENED. THE CONTACT INJURED HER BACK AND SUSTAINED A SPRAINED ANKLE AND WHIPLASH. IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO NORTH READING SUBARU (978-386-6090, LOCATED AT 260 MAIN ST, NORTH READING, MA 01864) AND THEN TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP. THE ENTIRE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,419.
Nov 19, 2019
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
A LARGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHEILD THOUGH THE TOP CENTER , WHERE THE EYESIGHT TECHNOLOGY CENTER IS LOCATED, OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT TO CATALYZE THE CRACKING OF THE GLASS.
Oct 27, 2019
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
WHILE DRIVING AROUND 30MPH THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES HESITATE AND THEN LURCH IF THE GAS PEDAL IS VERY LIGHTLY PRESSED. SOMETIMES IT WILL DO IT AT HIGHER SPEEDS AS WELL, AROUND 50MPH BUT NOT TYPICALLY AT FREEWAY SPEED. HAPPENS ON MOUNTAIN ROADS AND CITY STREETS. MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN KEEPING SPEED WITH A CAR AHEAD. WHEN PRESSING HARDER ON THE GAS PEDAL IT IS USUALLY NOT NOTICEABLE. WHEN DRIVING IN 'SPORT' MODE OR WITH MANUAL PADDLE SHIFTERS SET AT 4TH GEAR OR LOWER IT DOES NOT HAPPEN. THIS IS A CVT SPORT MODEL. DROVE A LOANER OF THE SAME YEAR AND TRIM, WHICH SHOWED SIMILAR BEHAVIOR, ALTHOUGH LESS COMMON. SUBARU CLAIMS IT IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR.
Sep 04, 2019
AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
1 complaint
IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING FRONT END TO OTHER CAR REAR END ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE ENGINE THEN CAUGHT FIRE IN THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THE ENTIRE CAR BURNED. FORTUNATELY NO INJURY TO DRIVER OR PASSENGER.
Jul 31, 2019
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
VEHICLE QUICKLY DEVELOPED A "SURGE, SPUTTERING, JERK" TYPE ACTION WHEN COASTING OR MAINTAINING SPEEDS ABOVE 35MPH. ALSO WHEN BRAKING, THERE IS GOOD AND PREDICTABLE SPEED REDUCTION UNTIL ABOUT 10MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSIONS SEEMS TO UNLOCK AND THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD SINCE THERE IS SUDDENLY NOT ENOUGH BRAKE PRESSURE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION HAS SHIFTED FOR SOME REASON. DEALER HAS BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE BUT HAS NO KNOWN FIX. BRAND NEW CAR 1 MONTH OLD AND IT RUNS LIKE A BRAND NEW CAR SHOULD, UNTIL YOU GET TO MAINTAINING CRUISING SPEEDS. VERY DISAPPOINTING TO HAVE THIS ONE ISSUE WITH SOMETHING THAT IS OTHERWISE A FANTASTIC CAR.
Jul 22, 2019
STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
STEERING IS VERY SENSITIVE ON HIGHWAY SPEED -- ABOVE 50MPH. CAR IS RESPONDING TOO MUCH AND UNPREDICTABLE ON ANY SMALL MOVEMENT OF STEERING WHEEL.
Jun 16, 2019
SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
STRANGE RATTLING NOISE AT THE REAR PASSENGER SEATBELT COMPARTMENT AND REAR PASSENGER SEAT. NOISE IS ONLY HEARD WHILE DRIVING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT OR SURFACES. NOT NORMAL FOR A 2-MONTH OLD VEHICLE.
Jun 01, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
ACCIDENTALLY LEFT THE MOONROOF SLIGHTLY OPEN. RAINWATER GOT INSIDE THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSING IT TO MALFUNCTION .
May 21, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
I HAD THE NEW 2019 SUBARU FORESTER FOR NOT EVEN A MONTH YET, AND I HAVE BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR 5 TIMES REGARD OF POWER REAR GATE NOT OPENING AND CRACKED RIGHT REAR QUARTER GLASS, WHICH OF THE TWO I CONSIDERED MANUFACTURER DEFECTS, BUT THEY DENIED ON BOTH ISSUES BUT COULD NOT PROVIDE ME THE REASON AND PROPER WAY OF HOW THEY'RE GOING TO HANDLE THE PROBLEM.
May 12, 2019
Frequently Asked Questions
How many problems does the 2019 SUBARU Forester have?
The 2019 SUBARU Forester currently has 821 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.
What are the most common problems with 2019 SUBARU Forester?
The most common problems reported for the 2019 SUBARU Forester are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.
Where does this 2019 SUBARU Forester problem data come from?
All problem and complaint data for the 2019 SUBARU Forester comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.
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2001 Problems
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