2019 Subaru Forester Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 3%of 834 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,344miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the body and structure of the 2019 Subaru Forester, 3% of the 834 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,344 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had the new 2019 Subaru Forester for not even a month yet, and I have been in the dealership for 5 times regard of power rear gate not opening and cracked right rear quarter glass, which of the two I considered manufacturer defects, but they denied on both issues but could not provide me the reason and proper way of how they're going to handle the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11207122, filed 2019-05, 300 miles“The vehicle was stationary. I pressed the power rear gate open button on the driver side dash, but the rear gate didn't open, and the car just beeped three times. The beeps would happen every time I tried to press the gate button on the car or on the faub. I opened the access panel and manually opened the door, extending the door to full height. When I pressed the buttons on the car, the power gate would go down but would slam shut and the car would issue a long beep. …”
NHTSA complaint #11308060, filed 2020-02, 16,500 miles“I was parking at a busy ski center, car in drive as I was slowly pulling into an open space, car in first row of vehicles facing a small road. The road connects the parking lot with the ski shop . 5 MPH would be normal speed on this road, where pedestrian skiers walk from the lot to the ski shop. Before I could stop to turn off the car, the engine started revving crazily, the car lurched forward and accelerated on its own. Brakes would not respond. I was able to steer onto the road, car accelerating faster and faster, no brakes, no control. …”
NHTSA complaint #11310740, filed 2020-02, 12,000 miles“Rear hatch will not open. This issue has been random and periodic since we took delivery from dealer at end of may, 2019. Today after shopping I tried to place items in the hatch. It would not open. I tried the inside button and the handle on the hatch, neither worked. I loaded the items in the back seat, started the car then started to back out of the space. As vehicle traveled in reverse there was a noise like a motor and the hatch opened. Dealer has not been helpful so far but this is the first time it opened while in motion”
NHTSA complaint #11258213, filed 2019-09, 1,345 miles“My 2019 Forester premium, 6 weeks old and <200 miles on it was parked in my driveway overnight. It was cold out that night. When I got into my car I turned in the heated windshield and regular heat in the car. Moments later and while still parked in the driveway, the windshield cracked from the windshield heating element halfway up to the top. Brought it to the auto glass place nearby, where it was noted by the technician that no impact point was present. He documented this on my work order / receipt. The windshield was on backorder for 3 weeks but was finally installed.”
NHTSA complaint #11252216, filed 2019-08, 200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11036824Aug 31, 2026This bulletin announces the service procedures to be followed when encountering instances of water intrusion from the sunroof area. This is an revised version of the original…
- 11036822Aug 31, 2026This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of surface rust accumulating in the top center retaining nut area of the front strut mounts. This is an revised…
- 11033052May 1, 2026This bulletin announces a design change to the Power Rear Gate Drive (PRG) Unit to address rare concerns about a very slight drop immediately after the gate is fully open.
- 11022328Aug 26, 2025"This bulletin announces the service procedures to be followed when encountering instances of water intrusion from the sunroof area for models listed. "
- 11022304Aug 11, 2025This bulletin provides information on paint codes for vehicles in the 2026 line up.
- 11016230Mar 27, 2025This bulletin announces design changes made to the Power Rear Gate Drive (PRG) Unit to address concerns of the power rear gate being inoperative.
- 11016174Mar 6, 2025This Bulletin announces diagnostic procedures to be followed when working with a Power Rear Gate (PRG).
- 11010905Nov 21, 2024This bulletin announces the initialization service procedures to be followed when diagnosing and/or repairing Power Rear Gate (PRG) systems.
- 10246093Nov 9, 2023This bulletin announces the initialization service procedures to be followed when diagnosing and/or repairing Power Rear Gate (PRG) systems.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 9% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 2 | 6% |
| 2023 | 3 | 4% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% |
| 2020 | 15 | 2% |
| 2019 | 25 | 3% |
| 2018 | 14 | 3% |
| 2017 | 15 | 3% |
| 2016 | 11 | 3% |
| 2015 | 20 | 3% |
| 2014 | 27 | 7% |
| 2013 | 4 | 5% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 7 | 8% |
| 2005 | 4 | 4% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 19 | 10% |
| 2002 | 3 | 3% |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2019 Subaru Forester
406 complaintsOther or unknown
145 complaintsElectrical system
134 complaintsEngine
106 complaintsForward collision avoidance
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
38 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsLane departure
16 complaintsSteering
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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