NHTSA has received 834 owner complaints about the 2019 Subaru Forester, or 107.1 per year on the road — far more complaints than typical (complaint index 2.65, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 78 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #69 of 78 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Subaru models its rate is 195% higher; against other Compact SUVs it is 77% higher.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2018-12-27 and 2026-10-11. Median delay from incident to filing: 6 days.
834Complaints
107.1Complaints per year on the road
2.65Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls
4.9%Share involving a crash or fire
20Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2018) drew 56.7 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 88.5 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 389 complaints, 391% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Body & structure (49.3% of complaints), followed by Engine (13.3%) and Electrical (12.4%). Body & structure complaints are 5.4 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 41 reports (4.9%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 21 injuries and 1 death.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 23 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (32% of incidents). In the last 12 months 20 new complaints were filed, versus 29 in the 12 months before — down 31%.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles2.65
vs. other Subaru models2.95
vs. other 2019 models2.38
vs. other Compact SUVs1.77
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (389)4.91
On 9/2/2016, my 2019 Subaru Forester was involved in a right-front collision. During the collision, the driver's frontal airbag did not deploy. Actually none of the airbags deployed.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle accelerated independently.
Brakes · 2026-08-21 · ODI 11758532 · Crash
Wheel studs on my 2019 Forester broke or stripped during a flat tire change. In XXX, studs on this vehicle broke after dealership service where the lug nuts were overtightened; the dealer replaced them at no charge.
Wheels, tires & suspension · 2026-10-11 · ODI 11770445
Car swirving as if someone grabbed the steering and pulled right left quickly when applying breaks. First incident happened on interstate which nearly caused an accident.
Unspecified or other · 2026-05-16 · ODI 11738249
I am reporting a serious safety issue involving my 2019 Subaru Forester related to failure of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.
Steering · 2026-05-11 · ODI 11737088
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
Risk: Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-21.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM Campaign 19V065000 · 2019-02-06
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet. Subaru has notified dealers and they will inspect the steering gearbox, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUC-88.
