Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Subaru Forester owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated she turned on the vehicle, left it on, and exitto close the trunk, but after forcefully closing the trunk, the vehicle began to roll backward. The contact stated the gears were set on Park and the area was an inclined driveway. The contact stated the vehicle knocked her down but she was not injured nor needed to seek medical attention. The vehicle continued to roll into the woods and was detained by a tree stump. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an auto shop and was being serviced at the moment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while at a complete stop at the car wash waiting for his turn, the vehicle accelerated suddenly and unintendedly, and crashed into a concrete brick wall. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained a whiplash, laceration on the left arm, muscle injuries in the back, skin abrasion on the upper arm, Skull laceration. The contact was pinned in his seat by the shoulder strap of the seat belt. The contact was transported to the hospital with the assistance of the emergency units. The vehicle was towed to a body shop where it was totaled. No police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the park position in a parking space but was unsure if the shifter was in park when without warning, the vehicle rolled down a hill and crashed into a chain link fence and burial wall. No warning lights illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was needed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to schedule an appointment to have it diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
While at a Stop as the engine turns off and awaits decompression of brake to turn on again vehicle moves forward bit, then the engine shuts down while in drive (stalls) had a vehicle hit me in rear but luckily I had my trailer hitch on because it saved me from body damage . I had to place in park and restart this has happened several times before and I'm kinda nervous and makes my wife nervous when stopping at lights or stop signs it might turn off in the middle of the intersection. When this occurrence happens all dash lights pop up ... I checked engine with code reader after the incidents but it doesn't give out any info on what could possibly be happening. …
The contact's wife owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that as his wife attempted to park her vehicle into a parking spot, the vehicle independently accelerated while her foot was on the brake pedal without warning. The contact's wife steered the vehicle to avoid hitting other vehicles as the acceleration continued; she was eventually able to stop the vehicle. Prior to the failure, the contact stated that while his wife was driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning with her foot was on the accelerator pedal. His wife had to repeatedly depress the brake pedal before the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
The car was parked for a week while visiting. (It has recently had its 30,000 mi.service) When I got in and started it, all the dashboard lights lit up including check engine. I tried reaching a Subaru near where I was visiting. No luck so I called my Subaru in VT. I was told I was safe to go as long as the Check Engine wasn't blinking. It wasn't so I drove home (I did note the steering wheel felt "tight".) When I went into the dealership upon my return, they did their computer diagnostic test. It was explained it could be as simple as not tightening the gas cap. The computer turned up something in the wheel. At first, he wanted to give me an appointment a week and a half out, but then found a car he could loan me that following Monday. I wanted to know why they needed it several days. He said it was to figure out the issue. …
The problem cited below is on a 2019 Subaru Forester with 20,101 miles. The 'check engine' light came on when I started my vehicle as well as all the ADAS warning lights came on. All ADAS were inoperable. The car was drivable so I cautiously drove it to a Subaru dealership. While driving, I noticed the engine never warmed up. Running a cold engine causes an emissions problem and may be a violation of an EPA standard. The problem was diagnosed by the dealership as a faulty Thermo Control Valve Assembly, Part Number (21319AA010). Upon researching the problem on www.SubaruForester.org, I discovered over 240 similar postings about the same complaint on the same model car. I consider this to be a Safey issue with a potential of significant engine damage causing engine failure as well as making all the ADAS inoperable. …
The problem seems to be a faulty Thermo Control Valve Assembly. When I started the car, the dashboard lit up with several warning signs including the check engine light and 6 or 7 other warning lights. I also received texts and emails from Subaru saying to have my vehicle serviced ASAP. My 2019 Forester only has about 16,000 miles on the odometer. Continuing to drive would cause damage to the engine and potentially the car could abruptly stop on its own. Our car has been in the service department of our dealership for five weeks. I just received a call this morning that we had to return the loaner rental today, but that the thermal control valve is not expected until mid- or late-October. (It is now September 20.) I researched several Subaru blogs, and it seems that many others are having the same issue with their Foresters. …
Eye-sight system shutdown and the car, although it was drivable, ran rough. Since there is a huge reliance on the monitors as they are designed to "forward think" to aid the driver, this was a major disruption to the driving experience. Not knowing what the disabled components affected, was a huge cause for alarm. Upon seeing the check engine light come, my wife brought the car home and I hooked up my device to read the code (P26A3 - showed up). Then I looked up that code and was directed to multiple incidents where that very same thing has become frequent on this model and a few others like it. We called the Winston-Salem NC Subaru Dealer (Flow) and they suggested we bring the Forester in for a check. Once they checked the vehicle out and confirmed the code we mentioned, they told us the "TCV" problem was found on our vehicle and they have seen others with the same problem. …
While driving on a highway outside Milford, CT my vehicle is check engine light suddenly illuminated. I had a sudden loss of power, no heat, and the engine temperature was unable to read. Engine temperature was not accurately reporting and showed it as being cold as indicated by blue light warmup light. My eyesight, pre-collision system, and sport mode was disabled due to the engine light being illuminated. The vehicle was seen at a Subaru dealer, who diagnosed the issue to be the thermo control valve. Dealership informed me that it was unsafe to drive and I risk complete engine failure, overheating, and or fire if I continue to operate without required repair. As a result, I was stranded overnight, three hours away from home. Repair was completed on [redacted] at cost of $1830. …
Transmission complaints in other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2019 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2019 Subaru Forester, 5% of the model year's 834 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › internal › gears (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2019 Subaru Forester transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2019 Subaru Forester, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2019 Subaru Forester transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 14,000 miles, and 67% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.