2019 Subaru Forester Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 5%of 834 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2019 Subaru Forester, 5% of the 834 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Often, but not always, mostly when turning left from a stop as at a traffic light the car will hesitate and lose power and speed. Then I try to accelerate and the car surges forward too fast. I feel that I am going to stall in the intersection.”
NHTSA complaint #11307105, filed 2020-02, 1,600 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11253275, filed 2019-09, 6,500 miles“When driving at a low speed the car lost all power without any warning lights .had to pull over and let car sit for about 10 minutes then restarted car. I was able to drive but it had very low power. Car continues to have low power and hesitated to accelerate. Car had 38,467 miles at this time. Car frequently has a kickback feel when accelerating. When pressing the gas pedal it has a delay response to move. Brought it to the dealership 2 times for this problem. There is also a noise coming from the right rear axel of car since car was purchased. …”
NHTSA complaint #11350524, filed 2020-08, 38,467 miles“Vehicle quickly developed a surge, sputtering, jerk type action when coasting or maintaining speeds above 35mph. Also when braking, there is good and predictable speed reduction until about 10mph when the transmissions seems to unlock and the car lunges forward since there is suddenly not enough brake pressure because the transmission has shifted for some reason. Dealer has been able to replicate the issue but has no known fix. Brand new car 1 month old and it runs like a brand new car should, until you get to maintaining cruising speeds. …”
NHTSA complaint #11233927, filed 2019-07, 3,000 miles“50k Mileage Mark: When the vehicle turned off at the stop light to save gas, the car stalled. I had to frequently put the car back in Park, and restart the engine. Since then, I had to turn off the “auto turn off” function for fear of the car stalling on the road. This has caused unnecessary anxiety and fear while driving, harming my psychological wellness. Since the 50k mark this has happened about 10 times. The most recent issue was this month”
NHTSA complaint #11689473, filed 2025-09Related service bulletins
- 11037942Sep 28, 2026This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
- 11036804Aug 21, 2026This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
- 11036814Aug 20, 2026This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR580 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed.
- 11036810Aug 20, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised…
- 11036809Aug 20, 2026This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for TR690 and TR580 CVT-equipped vehicles. This is an revised version of the…
- 11036806Aug 20, 2026This Bulletin provides updated diagnostic procedures to follow and a brief questionnaire to complete when diagnosing an alleged Chain Slip condition on the TR580 and TR690 model…
- 11034242Jun 2, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the…
- 11033063May 13, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 15 | 7% |
| 2020 | 32 | 5% |
| 2019 | 38 | 5% |
| 2018 | 23 | 5% |
| 2017 | 46 | 8% |
| 2016 | 51 | 12% |
| 2015 | 95 | 15% |
| 2014 | 41 | 10% |
| 2013 | 6 | 8% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 10% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 11 | 15% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 16 | 18% |
| 2001 | 23 | 17% |
| 2000 | 21 | 28% |
| 1999 | 32 | 24% |
| 1998 | 23 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2019 Subaru Forester
406 complaintsOther or unknown
145 complaintsElectrical system
134 complaintsEngine
106 complaintsForward collision avoidance
43 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsBody and structure
25 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 30, 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