2019 Subaru Forester Problems: Glass / wipers / cameras (830 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2019 Subaru Forester is Glass / wipers / cameras (47% of 830 owner reports). There are 3 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Glass / wipers / cameras — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 830 complaints · 3 recalls

What problems show up on the 2019 Subaru Forester?

392 of 830 filings named Glass / wipers / cameras (47% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Electrical (88 reports).

There are 3 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Steering, Engine, and Suspension. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2018 has 491 reports on file; this year has 830. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2019 Subaru Forester

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 3 campaigns on file below.
  2. Glass / wipers / cameras. Check windshield, wipers and any camera or sensor the listing claims is there.
  3. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  4. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Glass / wipers / cameras. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Glass / wipers / cameras 392 complaints · 47.2% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 36
  • Fires 11
  • Injuries 20
  • Deaths 1
All Subaru Forester years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) appears in 392 of 830 owner complaints (47.2%) in this vehicle snapshot. Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 392 complaints, 47.2% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 392 · 47.2% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 88 complaints, 10.6% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 2 crash reports 3 fire reports 88 · 10.6% Engine (ENGINE): 54 complaints, 6.5% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 crash reports 54 · 6.5% Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE): 32 complaints, 3.9% of reports Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) 2 crash reports 32 · 3.9% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 21 complaints, 2.5% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 4 crash reports 21 · 2.5% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 20 complaints, 2.4% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 4 crash reports 20 · 2.4% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 16 complaints, 1.9% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 4 crash reports 3 fire reports 16 · 1.9% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 14 complaints, 1.7% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 crash reports 1 fire reports 14 · 1.7% Steering (STEERING): 12 complaints, 1.4% of reports Steering (STEERING) 12 · 1.4% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 233 complaints, 28.1% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 13 crash reports 4 fire reports 233 · 28.1% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 392 47.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 88 10.6% 2 crashes · 3 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 54 6.5% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) 32 3.9% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 21 2.5% 4 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 20 2.4% 4 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 16 1.9% 4 crashes · 3 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 14 1.7% 1 crashes · 1 fires
Steering (STEERING) 12 1.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 233 28.1% 13 crashes · 4 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2018; the first recall shown was reported in Feb 2019. 2018-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 2019-Q2: 40 owner reports 40 2019-Q3: 44 owner reports 44 2019-Q4: 88 owner reports 88 2020-Q1: 98 owner reports 98 2020-Q2: 44 owner reports 44 2020-Q3: 30 owner reports 30 2020-Q4: 31 owner reports 31 2021-Q1: 41 owner reports 41 2021-Q2: 45 owner reports 45 2021-Q3: 28 owner reports 28 2021-Q4: 22 owner reports 22 2022-Q1: 33 owner reports 33 2022-Q2: 25 owner reports 25 2022-Q3: 34 owner reports 34 2022-Q4: 23 owner reports 23 2023-Q1: 15 owner reports 15 2023-Q2: 35 owner reports 35 2023-Q3: 23 owner reports 23 2023-Q4: 22 owner reports 22 2024-Q1: 19 owner reports 19 2024-Q2: 15 owner reports 15 2024-Q3: 12 owner reports 12 2024-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2025-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2025-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2025-Q3: 9 owner reports 9 2025-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2026-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2026-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2026-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Oct 2018 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 19V065000 ◆ Recall campaign 19V065000 Recall campaign 19V856000 ◆ Recall campaign 19V856000 Recall campaign 21V263000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V263000
  • Campaign 19V856000 was reported 39 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 21V263000 was reported 344 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2018-Q4 Owner reports 1
2019-Q1 Owner reports 13
2019-Q2 Owner reports 40
2019-Q3 Owner reports 44
2019-Q4 Owner reports 88
2020-Q1 Owner reports 98
2020-Q2 Owner reports 44
2020-Q3 Owner reports 30
2020-Q4 Owner reports 31
2021-Q1 Owner reports 41
2021-Q2 Owner reports 45
2021-Q3 Owner reports 28
2021-Q4 Owner reports 22
2022-Q1 Owner reports 33
2022-Q2 Owner reports 25
2022-Q3 Owner reports 34
2022-Q4 Owner reports 23
2023-Q1 Owner reports 15
2023-Q2 Owner reports 35
2023-Q3 Owner reports 23
2023-Q4 Owner reports 22
2024-Q1 Owner reports 19
2024-Q2 Owner reports 15
2024-Q3 Owner reports 12
2024-Q4 Owner reports 6
2025-Q1 Owner reports 5
2025-Q2 Owner reports 9
2025-Q3 Owner reports 9
2025-Q4 Owner reports 9
2026-Q1 Owner reports 7
2026-Q2 Owner reports 3
2026-Q3 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 19V065000
Recall campaign 1 19V856000
Recall campaign 1 21V263000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (3)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Steering, Engine, and Suspension.

  1. Recall campaign 19V065000

    Steering

    Report date
    Component:
    Steering (STEERING)
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 19V856000

    Engine

    Report date
    Component:
    Engine (ENGINE)
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 21V263000

    Suspension

    Report date
    Component:
    Suspension (SUSPENSION)
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 4 of 830 complaints · page 1 of 34
2026-08-21SERVICE BRAKESUnclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11758532
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the engine revved loudly, the vehicle continued to accelerate and collided with the rear of a minivan. The contact was able to steer the vehicle to the side of the bridge and stopped the vehicle. The side air bags deployed after the crash. No injuries were reported. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard by the Port Authority Police. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact retained legal counsel. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
2026-05-16Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11738249
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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. Carriage makes a “clunk” sound when moving forward or backwards and you feel the cabin continue in motion when first stopping. When taken to Subaru, “trailing arm” was not attached to vehicle. Car is currently being fixed at Subaru of Olympia.
2026-05-11Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11737088
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I am reporting a serious safety issue involving my 2019 Subaru Forester related to failure of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. Since April 21, 2026, I have been in communication with Subaru of America regarding whether this issue is related to an existing safety recall (WUC-88). During this time, I provided detailed information about multiple occurrences of EPS warning light activation and intermittent loss of steering assist while driving. A local repair shop also inspected the vehicle and confirmed EPS-related diagnostic trouble codes (including B2811 and C2512), which are consistent with known EPS issues. This information was shared with Subaru of America; however, I did not receive a clear or actionable response, and the case has been delayed without resolution. Initially, the issue was intermittent, with the EPS warning light turning on and off. However, since May 9, 2026, the EPS warning light has remained continuously ON, indicating that the condition has worsened. On May 11, 2026, I visited an authorized Subaru service center while the EPS warning light was actively ON. Despite the issue being clearly present, the dealership only took photos confirming the EPS warning light and did not perform any additional diagnostic testing or repair. They advised that the EPS rack needs replacement at an estimated cost of approximately $2,500, with the part currently on backorder and no clear repair timeline. I have already reported this visit and the current condition to Subaru of America and am still awaiting a response. This issue involves intermittent and now persistent loss of steering assist while driving, causing the steering wheel to become extremely stiff and difficult to control. This poses a significant safety risk. Given that the issue has been ongoing since April, has been confirmed by both a repair shop and a Subaru dealer, and remains unresolved, I believe this represents a safety defect that is not being properly addressed. Please review th
2026-04-03Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11729108
CrashFireInjuryDeath
We have replaced the battery twice and likely will need a third battery soon. I have learned that there is a known issue with the DCM trying to connect using 3G. This is causing a parasitic drain on the battery. The vehicle will fail to start. This has occurred many times over the last few years. We have just learned of the problem.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2019 Subaru Forester?

Owners named Glass / wipers / cameras most often — 392 of 830 reports (47%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2019 Subaru Forester?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Steering, Engine, and Suspension. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2019 Subaru Forester?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Check windshield, wipers and any camera or sensor the listing claims is there. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources