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Exterior lightingPart report

2019 Subaru Forester Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
0%of 834 total for the year
Median mileage
100miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2019 Subaru Forester, 0% of the 834 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“1. While the car is in motion (and under normal driving conditions) on highways, my front windshield has cracked 4x since taking delivery of new vehicle at the end of july 2019. Once the front windshield cracks, it continues to spread. During the process of paying for the vehicle, I was encouraged at every step to purchasing additional windshield coverage to cover the cost of replacing the front windshield in case it needed to be replaced due to the eyesight camera system. The windshield has cracked on the interstate, a state tollway, and a highway. 2. …”

NHTSA complaint #11297850, filed 2020-01, 100 miles

“The electrical system fails, and the battery is not charging sufficiently. When the auto start/stop engages, the car does not restart in traffic. Requested a battery test at the dealership in May 2025; was told it could not be done that day because it would require leaving the dealer service shop. Eventually, the electrical system became unstable, and the car stopped in traffic on 11/07/2025. Replaced battery following OEM specs. In February 2026, symptoms reappeared with a new battery failing on 02/15/2026, resulting in all saftey systems failing in traffic when auto start/stop enages.”

NHTSA complaint #11718775, filed 2026-02

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202613%
202588%
202426%
202345%
202288%
202110%
202031%
201920%
201820%
201741%
201661%
2015152%
2014102%
201345%
201211%
201143%
201031%
200942%
200812%
200734%
200645%
200164%

Other parts of the 2019 Subaru Forester

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
406 complaints
Other or unknown
145 complaints
Electrical system
134 complaints
Engine
106 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
43 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
38 complaints
Vehicle speed control
27 complaints
Brakes
26 complaints
Body and structure
25 complaints
Fuel system
22 complaints
Air bags
17 complaints
Lane departure
16 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2019 Subaru Forester

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology