10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,970 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #30

Sep 182022

Forester

  • miles
Vehicle will not start after it has rained or if auto shut down occurs while it is raining. Vehicle has to be jump started if raining. Might start if -??dried out-?? or left in dry conditions.

- Kenosha, WI, USA

problem #29

Aug 232022

Forester

  • miles
The problem cited below is on a 2019 Subaru Forester with 20,101 miles. The 'check engine' light came on when I started my vehicle as well as all the ADAS warning lights came on. All ADAS were inoperable. The car was drivable so I cautiously drove it to a Subaru dealership. While driving, I noticed the engine never warmed up. Running a cold engine causes an emissions problem and may be a violation of an EPA standard. The problem was diagnosed by the dealership as a faulty Thermo Control Valve Assembly, Part Number (21319AA010). Upon researching the problem on www.SubaruForester.org, I discovered over 240 similar postings about the same complaint on the same model car. I consider this to be a Safey issue with a potential of significant engine damage causing engine failure as well as making all the ADAS inoperable. Subaru of America is aware of the extent of this problem and should be made liable for recalling these vehicles and fixing this safety problem. The vehicle is currently (since Aug. 23, 2022) at the dealership awaiting a back-ordered part. I am currently negotiating with Subaru to have the part repaired under the 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty. Please look into this issue since so many other owners of this vehicle are having this same issue. Thank You.

- Rockville, MD, USA

problem #28

Aug 012022

Forester

  • miles
Thermo electro valve failed, tripping check engine lights in the dashboard. I was told that the vehicle was undrivable until the part, which has been affected by supply chain issues, can be acquired by the dealer.

- Elmore, AL, USA

problem #27

Aug 022022

Forester

  • miles
Stopped at a red light. The Forester was in Auto Start/Stop mode and was in Stop. When I tried to start the Forester up again, it would not. A bell started ringing and all the warning lights lit up. I put the car in Park and and within a minute it started up again.

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #26

Jul 072022

Forester

  • miles
vehicle stalled for no reason causing a dangerous situation, dashboard had 'eyesight' come on, possible crash avoidance feature ??

- Rockville Centre, NY, USA

problem #25

May 252022

Forester

  • miles
My 2019 Subaru Forester Sport only had 41,000 and the thermal control valve on it failed. The engine is running really cold and sometimes without warning certain safety feature shutoff as a result. There were no warning signals before it failed but when it went out the check engine light came on as well as about 5 other warnings. I had it diagnosed at Young Subaru in Ogden, UT. After doing some research I found that this specific part recently underwent a design change due to this malfunctioning. I-??ve found several other Subaru owners that are having the exact same issue where the safety features are completely disabled as a result of this poorly manufactured part. This part needs to be recalled asap before it can continue to cause more damage to the engines or the people who drive these vehicles

- North Logan, UT, USA

problem #24

Mar 182022

Forester

  • miles
Car caught fire after a relatively slow (less than 35 mph) collision with a Chevrolet Tahoe. Other vehicle was driveable, my Subaru Forester caught fire.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #23

Dec 302021

Forester

  • miles
On December 30, 2021, I was driving on I-95 S around 4 pm about 1/2 a mile from exit 43B when my 2019 Subaru Forester with 64,000 miles stalled in the middle of the highway. I was going about Highway speed during rush hour 55-65 pmh when the check engine light came ON, the EyeSight feature light came ON, and the emergency Brake light came ON. Scariest moment in my life. The vehicle stalled, the steering got really stiff, and the vehicle started sputtering along probably at 2 mph. I managed to make my way to the breakdown lane and called Subaru Starlink Roadside Assistance. After towing the vehicle to the dealership, the diagnosis revealed that both tumble generators on the Air Intake Manifold failed and I also needed a fuel line replacement. After doing a lot of research on the internet it appears that Subaru Foresters have a history of these failures and there has been a number of recalls for this particular model detailing the vehicle losing power or stalling. Unfortunately, the dealership and corporate Subaru refuse to cover the full cost of the repairs as they claim the vehicle is past the warranty period; they have $750 to cover $1800 worth of repairs. This is clearly a safety issue and defect, and Subaru is clearly neglecting its responsibility to cover known defects from the factory.

- Franklin , MA, USA

problem #22

Dec 152021

Forester

  • miles
Check engine light came on and code was for the TCV. The dealership said it would be $1500 to repair and was not under warranty-??even though my car is a 2019 Subaru Forester with just 17,000 miles. The Subaru forums on Facebook show that numerous other people are also having this problem.

- Bremerton, WA, USA

problem #21

Dec 072021

Forester

  • miles
12/6 - 3:30pm. My dashboard warning lights all came on as I turned right into my driveway, the car stalled so I turned it off. Next day 12/7 - 9:00 am all the warning lights came on when I turned the key. I called Subaru and described all the lights and was told it was safe to drive. I made an appointment for the next morning. At 12:00pm the Lights on dash went out and stayed off, but then they all came back on again at 4:05 pm. A minute later I took a right turn onto a side street and the car stopped suddenly and stalled in the middle of the road. I tried to start it back up 3 times. The Engine would turn on and then shut down again. After 2 hours we turned the car on and drove it 2 car lengths off to the side of the road and kept it idling to get warm, but it overheated after a while and we had to shut it off. We stayed there until 8:30pm (3.5 hours later) waiting for Subaru Roadside Assistance, but ended up walking home because they never came. Apparently they arrived sometime after 11:00pm and towed the car to Subaru dealer.

- Wilton , NH, USA

problem #20

Nov 262021

Forester

  • 84,243 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while at a stoplight, the vehicle stalled. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,243.

- La Quinta, CA, USA

problem #19

Apr 292021

Forester

  • 9,565 miles
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. The car was sitting for 2 months while I was away.

- Albany, NY, USA

problem #18

Mar 182021

Forester

  • 30,100 miles
Have a 2019 Subaru forrester. Had 30,000 mile service recently at dealer. Since then, multiple electric malfunctions. First ABS turned off, then auto start stop started malfunctioning for 2 weeks, took to the dealership, they told me "hood sensor malfunctioning, and bring it back in 4 weeks when part arrives." Four days later, I was driving my car and in the middle of traffic, engine shut off completely! whole dashboard lit up with "eyesight disabled" sign, engine light on. Unable to move the car at all. After 10 minutes of car stopped in the middle of traffic with engine disabled, finally was able to restart the car, then engine shut down again. Took it to dealership and they replaced hood sensor and said "everything is fine." Meanwhile multiple electric failure issues, passenger side seatbelt alarm beeps even though seat empty, ABS shuts off randomly. Please beware 2019 forrester has catastrophic electronic failure that Subaru is failing to address properly as a company. This is a major safety hazard! imagine car shutting off in middle of traffic repeatedly. I bought this car new, have kept it well serviced with oil changes. Subaru seems to think this is ok. They kept saying "it's just an electrical issue, " just an electrical issue that can cause severe injury and accidents! how many accidents will have to occur before Subaru will take responsibility for this and fixes this?

- Macungie, PA, USA

problem #17

Nov 302020

Forester

  • miles
The engine has oil leaked on the left side which I reported on dealership service last November 30 2020 and was fixed and repaired at December 8, 2020. I sometimes check and pop up the hood to see the levels of wiper washer, coolant, and other fluids at least twice a month and noticed last week March 4 that there is again oil leaked on the same left side of the engine. I called the dealership to schedule service and the car was brought again yesterday to have it fix. It is only three months or maybe less coz I did not check the engine last 2 weeks of February due to cold snowy weather. My worry is that the warranty will end this November of 2021 and oil leaked on engine will come back all over again and even after the warranty.

- Saint Joseph, MO, USA

problem #16

Jan 152021

Forester

  • 12,247 miles
Unintended acceleration when slowly pulling into aparking spot. Car ran over and dislodged a parking curb. The car ended up resting against a fence. A tow truck had to pull the car backwards to get the car over the curb. The dealer had the car inspected by a third party who found nothing wrong with the car. Damage was estimated to be $1000

- Middletown, DE, USA

problem #15

Jul 012020

Forester

  • 27,000 miles
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. Dealer states a new expansion valve for the A/C system is coming but not yet available.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

problem #14

Oct 302020

Forester

  • 5,900 miles
Leaving a parking lot getting ready to turn onto a divided 4 lane highway at a traffic light, as the light turned green the care did not go wile I pressed the accelerator down and I did it again and still nothing. Before I realized something was wrong the car drifted into the middle of the intersection with no power except the engine was running at idle speed and in gear but still no acceleration so I left the car drift to the other side of the road and the car started to go just before the light changed back. The start-stop was turned off and the engine never stopped the dealer said they could not find anything wrong and they could not do anything, but they would not guarantee the car was safe to drive. This happened 6 or 7 times in about 4 months but this was the most serious.

- Williamsport, PA, USA

problem #13

Sep 282020

Forester

  • 66,085 miles
Large amount of smoke from exhaust pipe and loss of power while driving

- Obernburg, NY, USA

problem #12

Sep 202020

Forester

  • miles
When driving in the highway the vehicle starts to jerk very strong and highway speed is lost making it dangerous to drive and potentially causing an accident. I have taken the vehicle to the dealer and they will do nothing about it. It is a known issue for this vehicle model and Subaru is not fixing the issue. The jerking is so violent that it could become a safety hazard for drivers and anyone else on the road. The jerking happens on a daily basis and sometimes it is more strong.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #11

Jul 142020

Forester

  • 38,467 miles
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. I was able to drive but it had very low power. Car continues to have low power and hesitated to accelerate. Car had 38,467 miles at this time. Car frequently has a kickback feel when accelerating. When pressing the gas pedal it has a delay response to move. Brought it to the dealership 2 times for this problem. There is also a noise coming from the right rear axel of car since car was purchased. Dealer continues to say it's a tire noise and they do not seem to believe the other problems with the car.

- Danbury, CT, USA

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