2019 Subaru Forester Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 831 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2019 Subaru Forester overview page.
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING AROUND 30MPH THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES HESITATE AND THEN LURCH IF THE GAS PEDAL IS VERY LIGHTLY PRESSED. SOMETIMES IT WILL DO IT…”NHTSA complaint 11253275 — filed 09/04/2019
“VEHICLE QUICKLY DEVELOPED A "SURGE, SPUTTERING, JERK" TYPE ACTION WHEN COASTING OR MAINTAINING SPEEDS ABOVE 35MPH. ALSO WHEN BRAKING, THERE IS GOOD AND PREDICTABLE SPEED…”NHTSA complaint 11233927 — filed 07/22/2019
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2019 Subaru Forester have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2019 Subaru Forester: 37 of 831 complaints on file (4.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2019 Subaru Forester have in total?
831 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 35 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, 20 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
