2019 Subaru Forester Safety Report

The 2019 Subaru Forester presents a mixed safety profile. While it boasts excellent crash test ratings from NHTSA, achieving a 5-star overall rating with 5 stars in frontal and side crash tests and 4 stars in rollover, the vehicle has a notable number of owner complaints. With 828 total complaints, including 35 crashes, 11 fires, 20 injuries, and 1 death, there are clear areas of concern. A significant portion of these complaints, 346, relate to 'VISIBILITY/WIPER' issues, often involving easily cracked windshields. Beyond visibility, there are recurring patterns of electrical system failures (72 complaints) and engine-related problems (35 complaints), some of which describe unexpected stalling or loss of power while driving, directly impacting safety. Recall history further highlights potential safety vulnerabilities. Three recalls have been issued for the 2019 Forester. These include a recall for loosening rear stabilizer bracket bolts that could increase crash risk, a recall for a PCV valve that could separate leading to an unexpected loss of power, and a recall for a short circuit in the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit resulting in a loss of power steering assist. These recalls address critical components that, if failed, could significantly compromise vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash, aligning with some of the owner-reported issues like stalling and steering difficulties. Common complaint patterns extend beyond visibility to include issues with the auto start/stop system causing the vehicle to stall or fail to restart, and problems with the Forward Collision Avoidance system activating unexpectedly, leading to sudden deceleration. The high number of complaints, particularly those involving loss of power or control, despite strong crash test performance, suggests that while the vehicle performs well in controlled crash scenarios, certain component failures or system malfunctions can create hazardous driving conditions. The 11 reported fires and 1 death underscore the severity of some of these issues, indicating that while the structure is robust, operational reliability can be a concern.

Our recommendation: Despite strong crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of the numerous owner complaints, particularly regarding windshield durability, electrical system issues, and engine stalling. Thoroughly check for recall repairs and consider an extended warranty, especially for powertrain components.