10.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
11,500 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. deactivate the auto start stop system (1 reports)
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2019 Subaru Forester brakes problems

brakes problem

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2019 Subaru Forester Owner Comments

problem #3

Oct 312021

Forester 2.5i Premium

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

unintended acceleration when braking unintended acceleration when braking unintended acceleration when braking unintended acceleration when braking

The car was parked for a week while visiting in ME. (It has recently had its 30,000 mile service). When I got in and started it, all the dashboard lights lit up, including check engine. I tried reaching a Subaru near where I was visiting. No luck, so I called my Subaru in VT. I was told I was safe to go as long as the Check Engine wasn't blinking. It wasn't so, I drove home (I did note the steering wheel felt "tight".) When I went into the dealership upon my return, they did their computer diagnostic test. It was explained it could be as simple as not tightening the gas cap.

The computer turned up something in the wheel. At first, he wanted to give me an appointment a week and a half out, but then found a car he could loan me that following Monday. I wanted to know why they needed it several days. He said it was to figure out the issue. When I asked if it was safe to drive, he said it was but there was a possibility of being on the highway and losing control/not being able to stop, but that was rare. I asked about the change in steering, as though the power steering was lost, and he explained they don't have that kind of system. WOW... I drove home slowly and went no where except Sunday when I drove a couple of miles to a farm stand close by.

Upon returning into the driveway, I put it in reverse to park. It accelerated and when I tried braking, it wouldn't respond. It was a though everything was locked. The car jolted. Sped. Jolted. The side airbags deployed. It was shocking. My arm was banged up from the airbags but nothing broken. The EMTs and police came. No, I did not mistake the accelerator for the brake. No, the floor mat did not get stuck under the accelerator (I've got Weather Tech Mats... no way.)

The car is waiting to get towed. If I file a class action suit, I can't start repairs. It will take until Jan 14, 2022, to get body repairs done as it is and that does not include Subaru's part, which is to find the mechanical failure and fix it.

Subaru fan? Not anymore. I don't trust the vehicle and as soon as I'm able, I plan to trade it in. I no longer trust the product or manufacturer.

I feel there is some connection with the steering, wheel, braking and acceleration systems.

Bright side, ugh... but there is one. I wasn't driving back from ME when it happened and when I drove home those couple of miles from the farm stand, I didn't hit another car or a car with kids.

Lyn U.

- Lyn U., East Thetford, VT, US

problem #2

Dec 202018

Forester Sport 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

While breaking (brake pedal is depressed) and getting close to a full stop, the car suddenly accelerates and lunges forward for 1-2 seconds, and then continues braking, and finally comes to a full stop. I've nearly hit the wall of my local grocery store, fences, poles, cars in front of me at intersections. And last month, I nearly hit a person in a cross walk.

This is VERY DANGEROUS safety problem. If it's not fixed, the car will eventually hit something -- or worse, some one.

It's as if the brakes are disengaged for a second, and the accelerator takes over. And then the brakes come back on and stop the car.

Happens intermittently, mostly when the car is colder, but sometimes not. And definitely when traveling at slow speeds, like 5 mph and slower when stopping the car.

Dealer said to deactivate the Auto Start/Stop feature (which cuts off the engine at stop lights to save gas) but that doesn't really fit this situation. The car isn't stopped when the lunge happens, so Auto Start/Stop shouldn't even be engaged at all. And I definitely don't feel the car's engine cut off while braking; it's that the brakes stop braking the car and it lunges/accelerates forward.

- Bj C., Takoma Park, US

problem #1

Mar 192019

Forester Sport

  • CVT transmission
  • 400 miles

This sensation of the car speeding up happens for about a second when the brakes are initially pressed, then the brakes kick in to stop the car.

It feels like the 2019 Forester is a beta test case, in order to find the bugs to fix for the 2020 Forester. I hope the dealership can figure out the permanent solutions to all these irritating problems

- John C., Kent, WA, US

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