2019 Subaru Forester · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 52owner reports
- 47,500median miles
- $1,500median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jan 8, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
224 of the 833 complaints on this car are about the engine. 52 of those describe misfire.
Tick what matches of 52 reports
Misfire on other Forester years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2019 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
All 3 recalls on the 2019 Subaru Forester, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
What owners paid
11 of the 52 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,200 to $1,900.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 20,101 and 70,000 miles, from the 23 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 8 service bulletins or notices for the 2019 Subaru Forester that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
This bulletin announces the design change made to the high-pressure fuel pump developed to prevent DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure – Too Low Bank 1). (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
This bulletin announces the availability of new oxygen sensors developed to address the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) detected by the Engine Control Module: • P0137: O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage Bank 1 Sensor 2 • P0138: O2 Sensor Circuit High ...
This bulletin announces the availability of new oxygen sensors developed to address the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs);
This Service Information Bulletin announces diagnostic service procedures to be followed when DTC P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1) is detected by the Engine Control Module (ECM).
4 more on the 2019 Subaru Forester page.
What owners wrote
“I am concerned as my car was safely parked, once I started it and it said eyesight off, flashing S symbol, the heat thermo Stat changes back and forth from hot and cold, car is not warming up and check engine light came on. I am very concerned as it is the winter, and I have my baby in the car. Please advise. This seems very unusual and never happened before. The vehicle have around 23K miles.”
Filed Jan 11, 2024 · 23,000 miles
“When I turn the car on it flashes check engine eyesite failure which then turns off the ability to use cruise control, crash detection, lane assist, ext. we called Dick Hannah Subaru and the code came up as P26A5 engine coolant bypass valve A position sensor. They said a thermo valve needs replaced and theyâve seen that happen a lot in 2019/2020 Subarus”
Filed Jul 5, 2023
“THERMO CONTROL VALVE (TCV) is suspected. I am a member of 2019 Forester group on facebook and reports are quit common for these model year. The check engine light is on and RAB system/eyesight is disabled.”
Filed Apr 26, 2023
“Check engine light seemed to put vehicle in "limp" mode, cancelling all onboard safety features, i.e. "eyesight", cruise control, vehicle dynamics control, blinking "S" Upon bringing it to a repair shop, they informed me that the thermal value control needs to be replaced, despite having owned the car for only three years. This leads me to suspect either a faulty part or a design flaw.”
Filed Apr 8, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 52 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Windshield cracks or distorts 399 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 61 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 57 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 32 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 28 reports
- Windshield wipers stop working 27 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 26 reports