Diagsheet

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 Sep 9, 2026

224 of the 833 complaints on this car are about the engine. 52 of those describe misfire.

Tick what matches of 52 reports

4
10
10

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.

19V-856Dec 2, 2019
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. 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.

Risk and remedy
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.

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.

$1,200$1,500$1,900
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 20,101 and 70,000 miles, from the 23 reports that gave a mileage.

121
1422
2123
1324
225
126

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 they’ve 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.

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