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2019 Subaru Forester Brakes Problems

13 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data

13
Complaints
5
Crashes
Jan 2024Dec 2018
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (13)

criticalSERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Jul 2025

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.

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NHTSA #: 11673955
criticalSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: Apr 2024

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 vehicle then turned around and drove across the street unintendedly, and the front end of the vehicle crashed into a pine tree. The contact stated that the forward collision avoidance failed to engage. The air bags failed to deploy. The neighbors assisted the contact out of the vehicle. The contact stated that she was shocked and was assisted in a chair. The contact that she later felt pain all over the body and was taken to the hospital, where she was informed that she had sustained a broken sternum, bruises, and pain all over the body. The insurance company towed the vehicle to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent a field engineer who retrieved the EDR from the vehicle. The manufacturer later informed the contact that the information retrieved from the EDR indicated that there was no vehicle malfunction and that the air bags had not deployed because the impact was not significant. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.

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NHTSA #: 11585052
criticalSERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Sep 2023

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.

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NHTSA #: 11544125
criticalSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Dec 2022

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.

NHTSA #: 11498372
criticalSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Feb 2022

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.

NHTSA #: 11453892
criticalSERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Feb 2021

THERE IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN THAT YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF. WE HAD EYE DROPS STORED IN THE SUBARU CONSOLE IN THE NOOK BY THE PARKING BRAKE BUTTON. WHILE WE WERE DRIVING, THE WEIGHT OF A PURSE MUST HAVE PUSHED DOWN ON THE DROPS CAUSING IT TO ACT LIKE LEVER AND PULL UP ON THE PARKING BRAKE BUTTON. THE BRAKES ACTIVATED WITH THE CAR COMING TO A VERY ABRUPT STOP. THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING US (TOO CLOSELY) REAR ENDED US. $15,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO A 2019 SUBARU. SUBARU IS NOT THE ONLY MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE PARKING BREAK BUTTON IN THE CONSOLE WHERE IT IS A CONVENIENT SPOT FOR EYE DROPS, CHAP STICK, OR MAKE-UP.

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NHTSA #: 11397979
criticalSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
CrashFiled: Dec 2020

DRIVING DOWN A SIDE STREET I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE I HIT THE BRAKES AND INSTEAD LURCHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I PUSHED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME ABOUT 8 FEET AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. DURING THIS TIME I REPEATEDLY PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HAD NO RESPONSE. AFTER HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED AT THE COLLISION CENTER THEY BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO SUBARU. SUBARU RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. AFTER I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE COLLISION CENTER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DETECTOR WOULD NOT GO OFF FOR MY WIFE WHO WEIGHS UNDER 100 POUNDS.'TO CLARIFY THE SENSOR INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS OFF.' I SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. TOTAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS ABOUT $8200 AND I'M NOT CERTAIN OF THE DAMAGES TO THE OTHER VEHICLE.

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NHTSA #: 11378113
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Filed: Jan 2024

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 a couple of minutes I tried to start my engine and it would not go. After another few minutes I was able to start the vehicle but could not drive because the brakes were still engaged. I needed to turn on/off the parking brake a few times before they released. I then drove the vehicle the remaining 2.5 hours home with the check engine light on and red "BRAKE" light off. This same scenario happened on my way to bring the vehicle to the dealer to fix the issue. The Subaru dealership inspected the vehicle and confirmed the thermo control valve was malfunctioning and would need to be replaced. Thankfully the vehicle was under warranty and did not cost me anything to repair.

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NHTSA #: 11563159
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AUTO START WAS DISABLED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND SHUT-OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CIOCCA SUBARU OF ALLENTOWN (4611 HAMILTON BLVD, ALLENTOWN, PA 18103, (844) 210-1314) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HOOD SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

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NHTSA #: 11403939
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Dec 2018

Takata recall, we recently purchased a 2019 subaru forester from a subaru dealer in berlin vermont. It developed an extremely loud squeal with under 2000 miles. This was a result of defective brake material on the right rear inner brake pad breaking loose from the brake pad and lodging between the rotor and dust shield.

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NHTSA #: 11163719
lowSERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2025

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.

NHTSA #: 11695464
lowSERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2022

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.

NHTSA #: 11477305
lowSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Sep 2019

I have experienced two instances of phantom braking, similar to reports I've read about nissan rogues. Once in july, and once last week. In both cases I was driving at low highway speed on a sunny afternoon.

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NHTSA #: 11256458

Other 2019 Subaru Forester Issues