2019 Subaru Forester brakes problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 21, 202680,000 miNYCrashTowedBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the engine revved loudly, the vehicle continued to accelerate and collided with the rear of a minivan. The contact was able to steer the vehicle to the side of the bridge and stopped the vehicle. The side air bags deployed after the crash. No injuries were…

   NHTSA complaint #11758532 · source
2. Filed Oct 24, 2025NYBrakesEngine

   About a month ago while approaching a stop light turning green at a busy intersection, I was slowing into the left turning lane when my car just stopped. No avoidance, no alerts. I had a semi behind me who started pulling out around me in heavy traffic. I could use my flashers. I turned the car off, then on and it finally restarted. This is a 2019 Subaru Forester, original owner, only one incident - but it was definitely weird, and unsafe!

   NHTSA complaint #11695464 · source
3. Filed Jul 16, 202550,000 miWACrash1 injuredTowedBrakes

   The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving on a main road at 30 MPH upon approaching a red light the contact attempted to slow down by depressing the brake pedal, however the vehicle would not slow down, the contact proceeded to swerve to the right and in the process crashed into a lamppost and power pole with the entire front end of the vehicle. There was property damage to both the lamppost and the power pole, and the vehicle came to a…

   NHTSA complaint #11673955 · source
4. Filed Apr 24, 202434,000 miGACrash1 injuredTowedAirbagsBrakesAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to approximately 80 MPH unintendedly. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle spun several times, causing her to lose control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle hit several power generator boxes while spinning. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11585052 · source
5. Filed Jan 2, 2024NYBrakesEngine

   The vehicle is less than 5 years old and has less than 50k miles. While driving with cruise control engaged on the Thruway, my check engine light came on. Almost immediately after the red "BRAKE" warning showed on the dash. When that happened my car engaged the brakes while I was traveling at 75mph and I pulled to the side of the Thruway as quickly as I could as to not wreck with another driver. My engine sounded like it was working overtime so I shut off the vehicle. After…

   NHTSA complaint #11563159 · source
6. Filed Sep 12, 202322,000 miVTCrashTowedBrakes

   The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while stopping, the contact went to park in a parking lot and the vehicle had launched forward while the foot was still on the brake pedal which caused the contact to crash into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was going 1 MPH. No warning light was illuminated. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealership. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent…

   NHTSA complaint #11544125 · source
7. Filed Mar 15, 202329,000 miMABrakesAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly unintendedly accelerated. The contact depressed the brake pedal to regain control of the vehicle. The contact stated that approximately 10 minutes after the first failure, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11511977 · source
8. Filed Feb 21, 2023AKBrakesAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Auto safety systems compromised with illumination of check engine light and engine temp warning light. Subaru dealership service department determined problem with Thermo Control Valve. Engine was not overheating as the vehicle was being driven in winter time, February in Alaska. Only indication of problem was indicator lights and reduced heat from cabin heat system. Vehicle went into "limp" mode as soon as warning lights illuminated, disabling advanced safety systems.

   NHTSA complaint #11508326 · source
9. Filed Feb 2, 2023ARBrakesTransmission & Drivetrain

   Driving uphill when the car suddenly jolted, lost power, and all warning lights became illuminated. All safety features were disabled as well. The sudden stop almost resulted in being rear ended and the car was barely drivable afterwards. Diagnostic trouble codes: P26A6, P2004, P2005, P060B, P0191, P24B9, P2200, P2400.

   NHTSA complaint #11505090 · source
10. Filed Dec 21, 2022VABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    There have been multiple incidents where the automatic collision braking system has almost caused me to be in an accident. Although it can be turned off, you must remember to do it manually each time you turn the car on. The dealership has not offered a choice to have this dangerous feature permanently disabled. In this incident, traffic in front of me started to slow down significantly, and I started to make a lane change into the left lane which was open. In the middle of…

    NHTSA complaint #11498372 · source
11. Filed Aug 3, 2022NJBrakesFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    Braking for stop - brake pedal sinks, car accelerates ; requires extreme brake pedal push to stop car. A very unsafe condition. No warning or any dash board indication. Happened several times already.

    NHTSA complaint #11477305 · source
12. Filed Jun 15, 2022CABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

    The lane keeping assist even when shut off prevents lane changes. A truck drifted into my lane and I had to use extreme force to steer over the car. The collision assist will randomly brake at high way speeds, also while off. The brakes will get squishy, not properly engage and make funny noises while the parking collision is off as well.

    NHTSA complaint #11469473 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology