Is the 2019 Subaru Forester a bad year?
834 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Forester years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2019 Subaru Forester are in line with other Forester years. Visibility and wipers stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2019 Forester owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 8,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 406 (49%) | 3k–15k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 134 (16%) | 1k–19k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 38 (5%) | 2k–18k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed control | 27 (3%) | 3k–28k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 25 (3%) | 3k–14k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 17 (2%) | 6k–29k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 14 (2%) | 2k–19k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Engine | 111 (13%) | 9k–66k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 26 (3%) | 12k–34k miles · ahead | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Collision avoidance | 43 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 22 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 16 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 10 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 8,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 834 complaints: 37 mention a crash · 11 mention a fire · 16 report an injury · 39 say the car was towed.
18 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The car battery goes stone cold dead if the car sits for more than a week without driving. Last guy who jumped the car had a hard time getting it to charge.
Whistling or whining noise coming from A/C system after having A/C or heat running. This condition is from the expansion valve according to Subaru of america.
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.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 8,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2019 Subaru Forester: 3
The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach. Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance. Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Subaru: 260
Repair instructions Subaru sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2019 Subaru Forester. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Diagnostic procedures and availability of new Engine Control Module (ECM) reprogramming files to address DTC P2404…
Step-by-step diagnostic procedure for resolving Remote Engine Start (RES) failures for both Telematics and remote engine start equipped vehicles
Diagnostic procedures to follow and a brief questionnaire to complete when diagnosing an alleged Chain Slip condition on the TR580 and TR690 model CVT…
When diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR580 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed
Neighbouring years
2018 Forester: 497 complaints, keep it · 2020 Forester: 604 complaints, keep it.
Every Subaru Forester year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Forester years side by side
Other Subaru models: Subaru Ascent · Subaru Crosstrek · Subaru Impreza · Subaru Legacy · Subaru Outback · Subaru WRX · Subaru XV Crosstrek. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2019 Subaru Forester a bad year?
834 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Forester years. At 8,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Subaru Forester?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: visibility and wipers (406), electrical system (134), transmission and drivetrain (38), speed control (27), body structure (25).
How many recalls does the 2019 Subaru Forester have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 21V-263), Exhaust (NHTSA 19V-856), Steering (NHTSA 19V-065). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.