2019 Subaru Forester electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Apr 3, 2026MIElectrical System

   We have replaced the battery twice and likely will need a third battery soon. I have learned that there is a known issue with the DCM trying to connect using 3G. This is causing a parasitic drain on the battery. The vehicle will fail to start. This has occurred many times over the last few years. We have just learned of the problem.

   NHTSA complaint #11729108 · source
2. Filed Mar 10, 202660,000 miFLElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, with several unknown warning lights intermittently illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with thermal control valve failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was…

   NHTSA complaint #11723269 · source
3. Filed Feb 18, 2026NYElectrical SystemLightingTransmission & Drivetrain

   The electrical system fails, and the battery is not charging sufficiently. When the auto start/stop engages, the car does not restart in traffic. Requested a battery test at the dealership in May 2025; was told it could not be done that day because it would require leaving the dealer service shop. Eventually, the electrical system became unstable, and the car stopped in traffic on 11/07/2025. Replaced battery following OEM specs. In February 2026, symptoms reappeared with a…

   NHTSA complaint #11718775 · source
4. Filed Jan 17, 2026HICrashElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11711684 · source
5. Filed Dec 2, 2025COElectrical System

   Subaru Forester 2019 January - February of 2025: issue initially presented as the hatch beeping, indicating that it was not closing fully. The hatch would not pop back up as if something was in the way, just remain down & continue beeping. The car would then not start, with only the hatch beeping noise (beep beep beep) going off. When I drove it, it kept warning me that the hatch wasn't shut completely. After I parked it in the garage, the next morning it would be dead. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11702536 · source
6. Filed Nov 17, 2025NYElectrical SystemEngine

   I have reported this before but it never went anywhere. When at a red light or in a traffic slowdown, the car will activate the auto start/stop system. Three times in the past 2 days, the car would not turn back on and required me to turn the car off and back on again. You can imagine that this leaves me in a dangerous situation because the cars behind me see a green light and get ready to move, or they see traffic clearing up and they get ready to move. I am forced to turn…

   NHTSA complaint #11699899 · source
7. Filed Oct 3, 2025WAElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   - *Incident 1 (2023):* While driving, my vehicle suddenly stopped while in drive gear, accompanied by a high-pitched alarm and multiple engine service lights. It took over 30 seconds to shift into park and restart the vehicle. The incident occurred at an intersection, and I was fortunate to avoid any collisions. - *Incident 2 (September 2025):* The same problem recurred on two separate occasions- AFTER CERTIFIED REPAIRS. The vehicle came to a complete stop while driving…

   NHTSA complaint #11691148 · source
8. Filed Sep 24, 2025IDElectrical SystemEngine

   Car has died 10+ times in the last 2 weeks. Will not hold a charge and it’s getting to the point that my car is dying in the middle of the road, during heavy traffic. That or the car will just not start unless jumped

   NHTSA complaint #11689526 · source
9. Filed Sep 24, 2025CAElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 · source
10. Filed Sep 4, 2025OHElectrical System

    My 2019 forester touring. The sound system will randomly raise to extremely high volume. It’s an extremely loud, distorted, static version of what you were listening to. You cannot turn it down with the volume control with knob or power it off. It is unresponsive and you must wait 5-10 seconds for the sound to go back to normal. Not knowing when it’s going to happen scares the heck out of me. I’m afraid to drive off the road or cause an accident when being startled in this…

    NHTSA complaint #11685026 · source
11. Filed May 25, 2025PADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemEngine

    During severe stop/go, thick, holiday traffic on I-495 (DC Beltway), during daylight hours, once AGAIN (this has happened several times before), the auto engine shutoff feature catastrophically malfunctioned, turning the car off, and simultaneously, activated the entirety of the dashboard to flash on/off, causing nearly every indicator light to come on, and then had difficulty restarting. This has been brought to Subaru's attention multiple times and they essentially have…

    NHTSA complaint #11663006 · source
12. Filed Feb 4, 2025119,000 miNYElectrical System

    The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, there was an alarm heard before several unknown warning lights illuminated and the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to 35 MPH. The contact shifted to neutral to restart the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and waited for a while before continuing to drive. The eyesight, brake light, automatic transmission, oil temp, and several other warning lights…

    NHTSA complaint #11640640 · 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