The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 407 of 834 complaints (49%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 498 in 2018 to 834 in 2019.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 834
- Recall campaigns
- 3
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,150
- Combined MPG
- 29
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | vs. 2019 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,200–3,100 | 2,200–3,100 | 2,150 | 2,150 | 2,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 24–28 | 24–28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–26 / 27–32 | 22–26 / 27–32 | 26 / 33 | 26 / 33 | 26 / 33 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 315–368 | 315–368 | 310 | 309 | 309 | |
| Complaints filed | 594 | 498 | 834 | 604 | 215 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 40 | 26 | 37 | 26 | 16 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 11 | 9 | 5 | |
| Injuries reported | 28 | 9 | 21 | 16 | 9 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2019 Subaru Forester have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2019 Subaru Forester?
Visibility & Lighting: 407 of 834 NHTSA complaints (49%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Subaru Forester get?
EPA rates it 29 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Subaru Forester?
EPA estimates $2,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S7) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 26 mpg | 33 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 310 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 111 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 38 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 22 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 134 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 34 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 21 | 12 | 2 | 14 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 77 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 29 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 407 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 146 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
SUSPENSION:REAR
- Defect
- 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
- Defect
- 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.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
- Defect
- 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.