2019 SUBARU FORESTER Complaints

My 2019 Subaru Forester experienced an unexpected (random) activation of the pre-collision avoidance automatic breaking feature. While driving on a major city road (dry, sunny, typical Arizona conditions) at approx 40-45 mph the system activated despite there being no obstacle (car or otherwise) anywhere near the vehicle. The nearest car was at least about half a mile ahead. The break force applied was the strongest I have experienced in 24 years of driving. This is not the first time I have experience this issue in this specific vehicle. A similar occurrence happened more than a year ago.

While the vehicle was parked in a driveway, the windshield developed a 10 inch crack in an upside down "J" shape, originating from the bottom edge of the windshield. There were no debris impacts in this area of the windshield and no "pitting" is visible that would have compromised the structural integrity of the windshield. There have been multiple class-action lawsuits related to the issue of cracking windshields and in my opinion this should be investigated and considered for a recall.

Repeated battery failure issues. Vehicle has had to be jumped anytime the vehicle has sat more than eight hours since approximately 01/18/2022. Vehicle has been taken to an auto shop where battery and alternator test was done. Battery has been determined to be okay, simply in need of a charge. Alternator also okay. No indicator/warning lamp or message was given prior to initial or subsequent failures. Vehicle is driven for extended periods of time each day which allows for the battery to be charged. Battery drain occurs when the vehicle is parked and turned off. Key fob kept away from vehicle, doors securely shut, no lights or accessories left on. Repeated battery failure has resulted in my being stranded until someone is available to jump the vehicle. Safety concerns of being stuck away from my home, in freezing temperatures, and/or alone at night.

There is a software problem which caused the alternator to not charge the battery correctly, causing the battery to go bad prematurely. The battery was just a few months outside of it's warranty, with it needing to be jump started frequently. It was tested at an Autozone then at the Subaru dealership confirming the bad battery. Subaru dealership confirmed the software malfunction that caused the problem. However, the software update needed was never done and was never communicated as a need. I have always taken the car in for all maintenance and this software update should have been done by Subaru. There was no warning signal/message other than the battery dying multiple times.

The car battery in my 2019 Subaru Forester drained completely overnight. The car was stuck in the garage and I could not go anywhere. I had to call for roadside assistance to get the car jumped. The battery power was at 0%. I had driven the car over 1 hour the day before, so it should have had good power stored. It appears to be parasitic power drain that happened overnight. There were no warnings given by the car that the battery power was low. The safety concern is what if I had been in a remote location and this had occurred. That scenario could have produced far more dire results. After the jump, I drove to the Subaru service department and had the battery checked. The Suburu Service Department is denying that any car component is draining the battery. They blamed my situation on ‘human error’, which it was not. There are existing lawsuits against Subaru regarding this same issue.

Over the weekend, the check engine light came on and I lost heat in my vehicle instantly (like flipping a light switch) after already driving with full heat for about 30 minutes. In addition to losing heat on a zero degree day, the vehicle also lost the capability to circulate and redirect coolant to the engine properly, causing a significant reduction in engine temperature causing it to run nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit less than optimal running temperature. Upon research, the only logical explanation was the failure of the "thermo control valve" which was added to the Subaru lineup starting in 2019, and this was just confirmed as the cause of this incident by the dealer. While coolant issues previously were managed easily in other vehicles, or a slow reduction in the ability of the heating system, having an electronic component control the diversion of coolant in the car for cabin heat and engine heat control seems to be harmful, not only potentially to the engine, but causing the heat to instantly stop to someone that may not be dressed to deal with it while driving in zero degree weather can cause potential significant health problems. This part should not be the sole source of control, let alone be failing without warning after a mere 3 years. In addition, a quick search online provides no information on the product, but many threads of individuals experiencing similar issues, as well as comments that Subaru has recognized it was originally inadequately built and have since produced a more Hardy product to replace them with. The other issue with this part, is that it is below the intake which needs to be removed to replace it. While the intake and other coolant system items are mentioned under warranty, this part is never mentioned. For this being a new addition starting in 2019, it is deeply concerning that there are many accounts for this, with no official messaging from Subaru, for such a critical part.

Windshield cracked around September 10 of 2021. Forward warning went off at times since crack. I had windshield replaced and new windshield cracked 4 months later. I must pay $500.00 deductible. Now the crack on new windshield is 3 weeks old and has spread to approximately 15 inches. Windshield must be replaced again. Forward safety now goes off at times as with previous windshield when it was cracked.

Battery Failure for the second time since purchase. Yesterday, 2/1/2022, I took my Subaru in due to the battery they replace about 15 months ago went dead two days ago. I was able to jump start to get back home. After sitting in my driveway after getting home two days ago I trie to start my car and again the battery was almost depleted. Not enough energy in the battery to start the car. Summary: Twice within a period of less than three (3) years I have brought my 2019 Subaru Forester in for service due to a dead battery that left me stranded. The battery, both incidents, was able to be jumped started to get home and also into Subaru for service. Both incidents Subaru Service initially said the battery was tested and OK and did not want to replace the battery. First incident: After 2 - 3 days I was back again to service for drained batter and they replaced with new battery. 13 - 15 months later the same exact battery drained and would not start car. Again, service said battery tested OK and would not replace, but my service advisor agreed to replace the batt This is the second time the battery was almost totally depleted and would not start the car. The first battery, that was part of the original purchase, died after owning the new car for about one (1) year. The first incident, I was able to get the car in for service after jumping the battery. The service tech said that the battery tested OK and Subaru would not replace the battery. Two or three days later the battery dies again. This time Subaru put in a replacement battery. Second time same incident, I took into Subaru service and again the tech said the battery tested OK. I then discussed with the Service Rep. and she agreed to mark the battery bad and to have the battery replaced with again another new battery. I asked about the issue of parasitic battery drain, which I learned about searching the web, and I assumed that they tested for this issue, but unsure if this was done.

Battery 620 CCA. Batter is 28 months old. Inspected by dealer. Dealer determined low battery voltage unknown cause.

My front windshield spontaneously cracked, originated from the center inside/below the visible site line under the rubber edging. This happened in the beginning of January when there was a combination of bitter cold and heavy snows.