What is the 2019-2020 Subaru Forester Starlink DCM Parasitic Battery Drain After 3G Network Shutdown?

The Data Communications Module (DCM) that powers Starlink keeps trying to reach the defunct cellular 3G network and fails to sleep, drawing excess current with the car off and killing the battery, causing repeated dead-battery no-starts even after a new battery is installed. A cl… Severity: high.

What is the 2019 Subaru Forester PCV Valve Separation Causing Loss of Power and Engine Damage (Recall WUW-08)?

On 2019 Foresters with the FB25 boxer engine, the aluminum PCV valve can separate during heating/cooling cycles, allowing valve fragments to enter the engine and cause a sudden loss of power while driving. Subaru recalled roughly 51,613 2019 Crosstrek/Forester/Ascent vehicles und… Severity: high.

What is the 2017-2020 Subaru Forester Denso Low-Pressure In-Tank Fuel Pump Failure Causing Sudden Stalling?

Foresters equipped with a Denso low-pressure fuel pump (part-number prefix 42022-) built before mid-2019 use a low-density plastic impeller that absorbs fuel, swells and deforms inside the pump housing. The deformed impeller binds against the housing and abruptly cuts fuel delive… Repairs typically run $0-$1,300. Severity: high.

What is the 2019-2025 Subaru Forester Windshield Spontaneous Cracking Near EyeSight Camera?

5th generation Foresters (2019+) have widespread reports of windshield cracks initiating near the EyeSight camera housing area or from the edges with no impact. The windshield design incorporates an acoustic interlayer and EyeSight camera calibration zone that creates stress conc… Repairs typically run $500-$1,500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2014-2020 Subaru Forester A/C Compressor Failure and Clutch Noise?

Foresters with the 2.5L FB25 engine experience premature A/C compressor failures, often with a noisy clutch or complete seizure. The compressor clutch bearing fails first, creating a grinding or squealing noise when the A/C is engaged. If not addressed, the compressor can seize a… Repairs typically run $600-$2,200. Severity: medium.

What is the 2009-2022 Subaru Forester Ignition Coil Failure Causing Misfire and Hard Cold-Weather Starting?

Coil-on-plug ignition coils on the Forester are a common failure point. As the coil's internal epoxy/resin cracks with heat and age, the coil produces erratic or insufficient spark, causing single-cylinder misfires, rough idle, hesitation on acceleration, reduced fuel economy and… Repairs typically run $60-$350. Severity: medium.

What is the 2011-2021 Subaru Forester Catalytic Converter Efficiency Failure (P0420) — Often Triggered by Oil-Burning Contamination?

Foresters commonly throw a P0420 'Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)' code and an illuminated check-engine light. While the converter itself is the part that degrades, the underlying root cause on FB25 Foresters is frequently the well-documented excessive-oil-con… Repairs typically run $200-$2,200. Severity: medium.

What is the 2011-2024 Subaru Forester Valve Cover Gasket and Spark Plug Tube Seal Oil Leak Causing Misfires (FB25)?

The boxer engine's two valve covers face outward and sit low on each side, exposing the cork/rubber valve cover gaskets and the spark plug tube seals to heat cycling and the path of any leaking oil. As these seals harden and shrink, oil seeps out and visibly drips onto the exhaus… Repairs typically run $250-$700. Severity: medium.

What is the 2019-2023 Subaru Forester Starlink Infotainment Screen Freezing, Rebooting and Black Screen?

The Harman-built Starlink head unit on 5th-gen Foresters freezes on startup, reboots in a loop every few seconds, or goes to a black/blank screen, often after a software update. Subaru issued TSB 15-228-18R covering 2019-2020 Forester (among other models) for display freeze-up or… Severity: medium.

What is the 2009-2021 Subaru Forester Premature Front Brake Rotor Warping / Brake Judder — Steering-Wheel Shudder When Braking?

Foresters are prone to early front brake rotor distortion (thickness variation) that produces a pronounced pulsation/judder felt through the steering wheel and brake pedal when braking, often appearing at relatively low mileage. Owners across multiple generations report warped/ju… Repairs typically run $300-$700. Severity: medium.

What is the 2009-2019 Subaru Forester Front CV Axle Boot Tearing and Grease Leak Causing Clicking on Turns?

The front CV (constant-velocity) axle boots on Foresters crack and tear with age and from suspension flex and road debris. Once the boot splits, grease slings out and dirt/water get in, so the now-dry CV joint wears and produces a clicking or popping that is loudest during tight,… Repairs typically run $200-$600. Severity: medium.

What is the 2014-2022 Subaru Forester Sunroof/Moonroof Water Leak From Clogged or Detached Drain Tubes?

Forester moonroofs drain rainwater through small tubes routed down the A/B pillars to discharge under the car. The corner drains clog with pollen, dirt and tree debris, or a tube pops off its nipple at the sunroof gutter. Water then backs up and overflows into the headliner and c… Repairs typically run $0-$350. Severity: medium.

What is the 2014-2022 Subaru Forester Premature Rear Tire Inner-Edge Wear From Excess Factory Rear Toe?

Foresters routinely wear the inner edges of the rear tires bald at low mileage (often 20,000-30,000 miles). The rear suspension allows toe adjustment but not camber, and the factory frequently leaves the rear toe set too aggressively, scrubbing the inner shoulders. Because owners… Repairs typically run $100-$250. Severity: low.

Subaru · Known Issues

2019 Subaru Forester Problems: 15 Issues Every Owner Should Know

2019 model year · 3,880+ owner reports · Updated July 2026

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According to Au7o's analysis of 3,880+ owner reports, the 2019 Subaru Forester has 15 documented known issues, with 5 rated critical. The most serious are CVT Transmission Shudder and Premature Failure ($0-$8,000 repair), EyeSight False / Phantom Automatic Emergency Braking, Starlink DCM Parasitic Battery Drain After 3G Network Shutdown, PCV Valve Separation Causing Loss of Power and Engine Damage (Recall WUW-08) and Denso Low-Pressure In-Tank Fuel Pump Failure Causing Sudden Stalling ($0-$1,300 repair). The most commonly reported issue is CVT Transmission Shudder and Premature Failure with 1,800 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $60 to $8,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Subaru Forester problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 3,880+ owner reports, the 2019 Subaru Forester has 15 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: CVT Transmission Shudder and Premature Failure, EyeSight False / Phantom Automatic Emergency Braking, Starlink DCM Parasitic Battery Drain After 3G Network Shutdown. Of these, 5 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Subaru Forester reliable?

The 2019 Subaru Forester has 15 known issues documented across 3,880+ owner reports. 5 issues are rated critical: CVT Transmission Shudder and Premature Failure and EyeSight False / Phantom Automatic Emergency Braking and Starlink DCM Parasitic Battery Drain After 3G Network Shutdown and PCV Valve Separation Causing Loss of Power and Engine Damage (Recall WUW-08) and Denso Low-Pressure In-Tank Fuel Pump Failure Causing Sudden Stalling. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Subaru Forester problems?

Repair costs for known Subaru Forester issues range from $0 to $8,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, CVT Transmission Shudder and Premature Failure, typically costs $0-$8,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2014-2021 Subaru Forester CVT Transmission Shudder and Premature Failure?

The Lineartronic CVT (TR690) in 2014-2021 Foresters can develop shuddering, hesitation, and in severe cases, complete failure. Symptoms typically begin around 60,000-100,000 miles. The CVT chain can stretch, causing slippage and shudder during light acceleration. The torque conve… Repairs typically run $0-$8,000. Severity: high.

What is the 2019-2021 Subaru Forester EyeSight False / Phantom Automatic Emergency Braking?

Forester owners report the EyeSight pre-collision braking system applying hard braking with no obstacle present, including on open highways and curves, plus erratic lane-keep-assist interventions, all attributed to the windshield-mounted stereo-camera assembly. A class action ove… Severity: high.

All 15 Known Issues

Other Subaru Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Subaru Forester problems?

Is the Subaru Forester reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Subaru Forester problems?

What is the 2014-2021 Subaru Forester CVT Transmission Shudder and Premature Failure?

What is the 2019-2021 Subaru Forester EyeSight False / Phantom Automatic Emergency Braking?

2019 Subaru Forester: PCV Valve Separation Causing Loss of Power and Engine Damage (Recall WUW-08)#

2009-2022 Subaru Forester: Ignition Coil Failure Causing Misfire and Hard Cold-Weather Starting#

2011-2024 Subaru Forester: Valve Cover Gasket and Spark Plug Tube Seal Oil Leak Causing Misfires (FB25)#

2019-2020 Subaru Forester: Starlink DCM Parasitic Battery Drain After 3G Network Shutdown#

2019-2023 Subaru Forester: Starlink Infotainment Screen Freezing, Rebooting and Black Screen#

2014-2021 Subaru Forester: CVT Transmission Shudder and Premature Failure#

2019-2021 Subaru Forester: EyeSight False / Phantom Automatic Emergency Braking#

2017-2020 Subaru Forester: Denso Low-Pressure In-Tank Fuel Pump Failure Causing Sudden Stalling#

2019-2025 Subaru Forester: Windshield Spontaneous Cracking Near EyeSight Camera#

2014-2022 Subaru Forester: Sunroof/Moonroof Water Leak From Clogged or Detached Drain Tubes#

2014-2020 Subaru Forester: A/C Compressor Failure and Clutch Noise#

2011-2021 Subaru Forester: Catalytic Converter Efficiency Failure (P0420) — Often Triggered by Oil-Burning Contamination#

2009-2021 Subaru Forester: Premature Front Brake Rotor Warping / Brake Judder — Steering-Wheel Shudder When Braking#

2009-2019 Subaru Forester: Front CV Axle Boot Tearing and Grease Leak Causing Clicking on Turns#

2014-2022 Subaru Forester: Premature Rear Tire Inner-Edge Wear From Excess Factory Rear Toe#