10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,656 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2019 Subaru Forester engine problems

engine problem

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2019 Subaru Forester Owner Comments (Page 4 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #35

Oct 072022

Forester 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On 10/7/2022, all the warning lights came on and stayed on, even after tightening the fuel cap and replacing the battery. I brought the car to Ocala Subaru this morning, and paid for a diagnostic that shows the Thermal Control Valve needs replacement. Apparently this is now a common problem on this year and model Subaru. I was told that this is not covered under the powertrain warranty, even though it is part of the engine assembly, and is a very expensive repair, even though the car has only 43,669 miles on it. I was told the part is on national back order and that the car is okay to drive, but that most of the safety systems that have the lit warning lights are now disabled. This is the car my wife uses to transport our 6-year-old granddaughter to school and swim practice and events, as well as elsewhere, and I feel this has compromised their safety and warrants a recall.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #34

Aug 082022

Forester

  • 47,500 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH the RBD warning light stated off, as well as the Lane Keep, Eyesight, ABS off, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated he noticed that several unknown safety features became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the gasket for the heater control valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the parts were not available at the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and a voicemail was left. The failure mileage was 47,500.

- Cedar, MI, USA

problem #33

Sep 232022

Forester

  • miles
Keep getting check engine light. Blue cold engine light stays on. Getting code P26A5 Engine Coolant Bypass Valve 'A' Position Sensor Circuit Range. Parts are unavailable at the dealer. They can-??t give me a time frame when they become available.

- Flushing, NY, USA

problem #32

Sep 202022

Forester

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

when driving and stopped at a light the car died, I had to put it in park and restart it, this has happened on 4 different occasions, and I've taken it to the dealer and was told nothing checked out as failing, also, the radio has gone wild on occasion, dialing contacts in my phone numerous times, and me being unable to stop it. was told that heat and temperatures could cause the electronics to shut down or burn. I feel that I was in danger of getting hit because these things occurred while in traffic, and I had no control over the car, the system was acting out on its own.

- Palm Desert, CA, USA

problem #31

Aug 102022

Forester

  • miles
The problem seems to be a faulty Thermo Control Valve Assembly. When I started the car, the dashboard lit up with several warning signs including the check engine light and 6 or 7 other warning lights. I also received texts and emails from Subaru saying to have my vehicle serviced ASAP. My 2019 Forester only has about 16,000 miles on the odometer. Continuing to drive would cause damage to the engine and potentially the car could abruptly stop on its own. Our car has been in the service department of our dealership for five weeks. I just received a call this morning that we had to return the loaner rental today, but that the thermal control valve is not expected until mid- or late-October. (It is now September 20.) I researched several Subaru blogs, and it seems that many others are having the same issue with their Foresters. Our dealership has five automobiles in their service department waiting for this part (and this is only one dealership). I also researched the Subaru service bulletins and see that they have a newly-designed thermo control valve assembly (same part number as the old one but a different date etched into the part). Apparently this has been an issue known by Subaru since at least September 2021 when their service bulletin came out. It seems that with so many owners having the same issues, there should be a recall and part replacement without cost to the owners.

- Novato, CA, USA

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

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

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