Used Subaru Forester Buyer's Guide (2019–2024)
Check the 2019 PCV valve recall, windshield crack coverage, the thermo control valve and screen warranty extensions, and the 2023 to 2024 driveshaft recall.
Photo: Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. A representative example, not a car we inspected.
The fifth generation Subaru Forester ran from 2019 to 2024. It is a compact SUV with standard all wheel drive, good visibility and a roomy cabin. Every one uses a 2.5 liter four cylinder engine and a CVT automatic, so there is only one powertrain to learn.
The Forester has had few recalls. The 2019 model had the most, including a PCV valve recall that can lead to an engine replacement. The 2023 and 2024 models share a front driveshaft recall. The 2020 and 2021 models have no recalls in NHTSA data.
Owner complaints tell a different story. NHTSA has 833 complaints for the 2019 and 600 for the 2020, and the top area is visibility and wipers. Subaru settled a class action over cracked windshields on 2019 to 2022 models, and it has extended coverage on the thermo control valve and the touchscreen. A buyer should check the records for these repairs.
- 2.5L 4-cyl boxer
Fifth generation (SK), sold as model years 2019–2024.
| Engine | Years | Transmission | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 2019–2024 | CVT automatic | All wheel drive on every Forester. Check the PCV valve recall on 2019 models and the thermo control valve coverage on 2019 to 2021. |
- Base and Premium The most common trims.
- Sport Sporty styling with darker trim pieces.
- Limited Leather and more comfort features.
- Touring Top trim with the most tech.
- Wilderness Added for 2022. Raised ride height and off-road tires.
- 2021 No recalls in NHTSA data for this year, and 209 NHTSA owner complaints, far fewer than 2019 or 2020. Still covered by the windshield, thermo control valve and head unit extensions.
- 2022 Only 1 recall in NHTSA data, for the gear position switch, and 98 NHTSA owner complaints. It is newer, so it has had less time to collect complaints.
- 2019 First year. 3 recalls, the most of any year, including the PCV valve recall that can mean a new short block, and 833 NHTSA owner complaints, 370 of them about visibility and wipers.
- 2020 No recalls in NHTSA data, but 600 NHTSA owner complaints, 252 about visibility and wipers. Check the windshield and the extended coverage records.
- 2023 to 2024 Front driveshaft recall 23V-754. Complaints are low (76 for 2023 and 58 for 2024, counting the Forester Wilderness listing), partly because they are newer.
Picked from the recalls, bulletins and NHTSA complaint records below, not from a reliability rating. Any single car can be better or worse than its year.
NHTSA recall 19V-856 covers certain 2019 Forester models. The aluminum PCV valve can come apart and send pieces into the engine, which can cause a loss of power while driving. Dealers inspect and replace the valve free. If the valve has come apart and the pieces cannot be found, Subaru replaces the short block engine free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for an open recall 19V-856, read the records for the PCV valve or engine work, scan for engine codes and road test for power loss or rough running.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 19V-856
NHTSA recall 23V-754 covers certain 2023 and 2024 Forester models. The outer race of the front driveshafts may crack and break. Dealers inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as needed, free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for an open recall 23V-754, look at both front axles and boots, and listen for clicking or clunks on tight turns during the road test.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 23V-754
Recall 21V-263 covers certain 2019 Foresters whose rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and fall off. Dealers tighten them and replace any missing bolts free. Recall 19V-065 covered certain 2019 Foresters whose power steering unit had a connector that could short and cause a loss of power steering assist. NHTSA says none of those had been sold yet, and dealers inspected and replaced the steering gearbox as needed.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for open recalls 21V-263 and 19V-065, look at the rear stabilizer bar mounts, and feel for heavy or uneven steering on the road test.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 21V-263 · NHTSA recall 19V-065
Visibility and wiper problems are the top complaint area for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Foresters in NHTSA data. Subaru settled a class action over cracked windshields. For 2019 to 2022 Foresters, Subaru extended coverage for a qualifying crack in the original windshield to 8 years or 100,000 miles from the in service date. It is a one time replacement with an updated windshield, and a non-Subaru windshield or a salvage title is not covered.
WE CHECK We look over the whole windshield for cracks and chips, check whether it is the original Subaru glass, and read the records for a warranty replacement.
SOURCE Subaru windshield warranty extension notice to retailers (on NHTSA) · NHTSA owner complaints, 2019 Subaru Forester · NHTSA owner complaints, 2020 Subaru Forester
Subaru bulletin 09-119-24 extends coverage on the thermo control valve, a part in the engine cooling system, to 15 years or 150,000 miles on 2019 to 2021 Foresters. Subaru says coolant vapor can get into the sensor part of the valve and set engine codes P2682 or P26A. A newer valve design was made, and Subaru will pay back owners who paid for this repair.
WE CHECK We scan the engine computer for stored codes, check the coolant level and look for leaks, and read the records for any valve replacement.
SOURCE Subaru bulletin 09-119-24, thermo control valve warranty extension (on NHTSA)
Subaru bulletin 15-322-25 extends coverage on the Gen 3.1 touchscreen head unit in 2019 to 2023 Foresters to 8 years or 150,000 miles. It covers a black or blank screen, loss of audio, repeated rebooting, and problems with CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, Bluetooth or the touch screen. It is a one time repair.
WE CHECK We test the screen, audio, Bluetooth and phone connection, and read the records for any head unit replacement.
SOURCE Subaru bulletin 15-322-25, head unit warranty extension (on NHTSA)
Subaru bulletin 09-129-24R extends fuel pump impeller coverage on some 2018 and 2019 Foresters built from July 7, 2017 to July 31, 2019. Those get 15 years from the warranty start date with no mileage limit, for a one time pump replacement if the low pressure fuel pump fails.
WE CHECK We road test for hesitation, rough running or stalling, and if the pump has been replaced we ask for the records.
SOURCE Subaru bulletin 09-129-24R, fuel pump impeller warranty extension (on NHTSA)
Subaru settled a class action over battery drain that covers 2019 and 2020 Foresters. Bulletin 07-207-22R extends 12 volt battery coverage. The first battery was covered in full for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Later batteries get partial coverage, down to 60 percent of the cost up to 8 years or 100,000 miles. Owners must get an authorization number from the settlement administrator first.
WE CHECK We test the 12 volt battery and charging system, check its date, and ask how often it has gone dead.
SOURCE Subaru bulletin 07-207-22R, battery drain warranty extension (on NHTSA)
Forward collision avoidance is one of the top complaint areas for every year from 2019 to 2024 in NHTSA data. Subaru settled a class action over the EyeSight system, which covers 2019 to 2021 Foresters with EyeSight. Bulletin 07-235-25 added 1 year or 12,000 miles of partial coverage after the basic warranty for the camera and rear sonar parts. A short coverage window for older cars ended November 29, 2025, so most used Foresters are now past this coverage.
WE CHECK We road test with EyeSight and adaptive cruise on where safe, watch for sudden braking or warning messages, check the windshield in front of the camera, and scan for codes.
SOURCE Subaru bulletin 07-235-25, EyeSight warranty extension (on NHTSA) · Subaru EyeSight class action notice to retailers (on NHTSA) · NHTSA owner complaints, 2019 Subaru Forester
NHTSA recall 23V-755 covers certain 2022 Forester models. A weak weld can let water into the gear position switch so it fails. Then the reverse lights may not come on and the rearview camera image may not show. Dealers replace the switch free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for an open recall 23V-755 and shift into reverse several times to check the camera image and the reverse lights.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 23V-755
- Check the VIN for open recalls, especially on 2019, 2023 and 2024 models.
- Scan the engine computer for stored codes.
- Road test for power loss, CVT shudder and smooth steering.
- Look over the windshield for cracks and check whether it is original glass.
- Test the touchscreen, audio, Bluetooth and the rearview camera.
- Look at the front axles and boots and listen for clicking on tight turns.
- Road test EyeSight and adaptive cruise for sudden braking.
- Test the 12 volt battery and the power rear gate.
- Proof of PCV valve recall work under 19V-856 on 2019 models, and any engine replacement.
- Front driveshaft inspection or replacement under 23V-754 on 2023 and 2024 models.
- Any windshield, thermo control valve or head unit replacement under Subaru's extended coverage.
- Power rear gate control unit replacement under program WRJ-20 on some 2019 models.
- Regular oil changes and CVT fluid service if the owner had it done.
- Battery replacements, and any battery drain visits on 2019 and 2020 models.
Each year has its own guide. The engines, the transmission, and what changed that year.
A TSB is a note the maker sends to dealers about a known fix. They are not recalls. We check the bulletins so we know what to look for:
Cold-start noise, drivability, and idle issues for this vehicle. We test for each.
Shift quality and transmission fluid updates. We drive every gear.
Locks, wipers, infotainment, and trim items. Small, but good to know.
Bulletins stay with the maker, so we pull the current list for this exact vehicle during the inspection and tell you what applies.
Found a Subaru Forester you like? A pre purchase inspection checks every trouble spot above on the car you are buying.
What is the 2019 Subaru Forester PCV valve recall?
Why do Subaru Forester windshields crack?
What is the Forester thermo control valve warranty?
Is the Forester touchscreen covered?
Which Forester years are best to buy used?
Does the Forester have a turbo or hybrid in the US?
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