Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2019 Subaru Forester. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Rear Stabilizer Bracket Bolts May Detach
- 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.
- 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.
PCV Valve Can Separate
- 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.
- 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.
Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist
- 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.
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (833)
833 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The visibility/wiper is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 833 |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 370 | 44.4% |
| Unknown or other | 144 | 17.3% |
| Electrical system | 134 | 16.1% |
| Engine | 106 | 12.7% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 43 | 5.2% |
| Power train | 38 | 4.6% |
| Visibility | 38 | 4.6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 27 | 3.2% |
| Service brakes | 26 | 3.1% |
| Structure | 25 | 3% |
How 2019 compares with other Forester years
Best and worst Forester years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 614 | 3 |
| 2016 | 415 | 3 |
| 2017 | 587 | 1 |
| 2018 | 498 | 3 |
| 2019 | 833 | 3 |
| 2020 | 601 | 0 |
| 2021 | 208 | 0 |
| 2022 | 98 | 1 |
| 2023 | 74 | 1 |
| 2024 | 29 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2019 Subaru Forester suv awd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 29 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,300
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 310 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 29 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · AV-S7 CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 26 / 33 / 29 | $2,300 | 310 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2019 Forester for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2019 Subaru Forester FAQ
How many recalls does the 2019 Subaru Forester have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 21V263000 (suspension), 19V856000 (engine), 19V065000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2019 Subaru Forester problems?
Owners filed 833 complaints with NHTSA. Visibility/wiper (370), Unknown or other (144), Electrical system (134) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2019 Subaru Forester get?
EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · AV-S7 CVT version at 26 city, 33 highway and 29 combined mpg.
What safety rating did the 2019 Subaru Forester get?
NHTSA rated the 2019 Subaru Forester suv awd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (16.9% rollover risk).
How does the 2019 Forester compare with other years?
Among the 2015–2021 Subaru Forester model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (208) and the 2019 the most (833). The 2019 drew 833. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Summary reviewed on Oct 6, 2026.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.