10.0

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

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #10

Oct 282019

Forester

  • 50 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the windshield cracked and was replaced three times in a six-month period. The contact was concerned that the design of the hood and the thickness of the glass in the windshield was a contributing factor to the failures. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound in the transmission whenever the gear shifter was shifted into reverse. The contact also stated that the backup camera failed to operate intermittently. The contact also stated that when the stop/start function was reactivated on several occasions the vehicle idled roughly and lunged forward. The vehicle was taken to moore Chrysler Jeep Fiat (8600 w bell rd, peoria, AZ 85382, 800-757-0140) however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50.

- Phoniex, AZ, USA

problem #9

Mar 152020

Forester

  • 10,950 miles
2 issues 1. the windshield cracked and the car is less than a year old. 2. the engine pulses as if stuck between gears when doing 75+mph, especially when going uphill. There are fluctuations in acceleration that make it feel like it is about to stall.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #8

Nov 222019

Forester

  • miles
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V856000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer lithia Subaru of fresno 5200 N blackstone ave, fresno, ca 93710 (559) 540-7189 was contacted it was confirmed that the remedy part was not available. The manufacturer was not contacted and made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Vasalia, CA, USA

problem #7

Jan 222019

Forester 4-cyl

  • 24,259 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The vehicle was taken to peltier Subaru 3200 S sw loop 323, tyler, tx 75701, (903)705-4300 for routine maintenance where the contact was informed about NHTSA campaign number 19V856000 (engine and engine cooling). The remedy parts were not available. While driving 5 mph the vehicle stalled without warning. There was an abnormal burning odor detected. The vehicle was towed to peltier Subaru 3200 S sw loop 323, tyler, tx 75701 (903) 705-4300 where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 24,259. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Yantis, TX, USA

problem #6

Aug 292019

Forester

  • 500 miles
1. when start the vehicle cold or warm, the engine is loud and high RPM for 60 seconds. Vehicle shakes 2. after 60 seconds, the rattle/knocking noise from the engine kicks in and stays on. The noise occurs 90% of the number of times starting the vehicle. 3. huge amount of white smoke from tailpipe when startup the engine. Smoke gradually reduce 4. rear tail gate does not open when using button on remote, button on the vehicle and button right on the tailgate.

- Ballwin, MO, USA

problem #5

Dec 022019

Forester

  • 10,000 miles
Traveling on highway, approximately 60 mph, tapped brakes and anti locks activated, immediately afterwards entire dashboard lit up with every warning light possible on the vehicle. I took the first exit, traveling approximately a quarter of a mile from start of incident, into a parking lot, directly off the highway, when the car shut down. Tried multiple times to restart the car- it would catch and then shut off. Ended up getting it towed to my home dealer. The cause is unknown. It appeared to be a catastrophic failure of the computer which caused the entire cars systems to shut down. Pictures show dash lit up and screen shot of 'my Subaru' app which indicated only some of the warning lights, although all lights were lit.

- Lebanon, CT, USA

problem #4

Oct 182019

Forester

  • 996 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. While traveling 20 mph, the vehicle stalled and shut off without warning. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to gregoris Subaru (575 w merrick rd, valley stream, NY 11580, (516) 825-8700) where it was determined that the wiring harness separated from the starter. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and instructed the contact to take the vehicle to a local Subaru dealer. The dealer was informed by the manufacturer to contact them if any further defects occurred. The failure mileage was 996.

- Far Rockaway, NY, USA

problem #3

Oct 192019

Forester

  • miles
My son's new 2019 Subaru Forester touring burned to a crisp (total) on Saturday, 10/19 in I-95 near new rochelle, NY. Vehicle was in the left lane and the car in front stopped and they hit it, then they were hit in the back, too. Their car burned but the car in front and behind did not. The car in front was even able to move indicating nothing wrong with its gas tank.

- Stamford, CT, USA

problem #2

Sep 042019

Forester

  • 6,500 miles
While driving around 30mph the car will sometimes hesitate and then lurch if the gas pedal is very lightly pressed. Sometimes it will do it at higher speeds as well, around 50mph but not typically at freeway speed. Happens on mountain roads and city streets. Most noticeable when keeping speed with a car ahead. When pressing harder on the gas pedal it is usually not noticeable. When driving in 'sport' mode or with manual paddle shifters set at 4th gear or lower it does not happen. This is a cvt sport model. Drove a loaner of the same year and trim, which showed similar behavior, although less common. Subaru claims it is normal behavior.

- Felton, CA, USA

problem #1

Jul 282019

Forester

  • 3,800 miles
In an accident involving front end to other car rear end on an interstate highway, the airbag system didn't deploy. The engine then caught fire in the right front of the engine. The entire car burned. Fortunately no injury to driver or passenger.

- Dalton, PA, USA