2019 Subaru Forester · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 57owner reports
- 30,100median miles
- $750median quote
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Mar 10, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
241 of the 833 complaints on this car are about the engine. 57 of those describe stalling.
Tick what matches of 57 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (8 reports) and the fuel pump (3 reports).
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.
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
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
5 of the 57 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $435 to $1,800.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 5,000 and 50,000 miles, from the 23 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Power Control Valve malfunctioning at 26,000 miles. Causing all safety features (auto braking & lane departure) to be shut off.”
Filed Jan 22, 2024 · 26,000 miles
“The auto start/stop occasionally malfunctions where the auto stop turns on as expected but then doesn't turn off when you try to use the accelerator. It has happened when a red light turns green the car stalls, displays an error message and you have to restart the car to get moving again. This recently happened to me at a very busy intersection and was very dangerous.”
Filed Jun 7, 2023
“The Starlink Infotainment system started to continually reboot despite any attempts to reset it. With the car shut off, the CD player began continuously spinning up then winding down. This drained the battery. I had to pull a fuse labeled BACKUP to prevent this from happening. This has rendered the backup camera unusable.”
Filed May 30, 2023
“Driving uphill when the car suddenly jolted, lost power, and all warning lights became illuminated. All safety features were disabled as well. The sudden stop almost resulted in being rear ended and the car was barely drivable afterwards. Diagnostic trouble codes: P26A6, P2004, P2005, P060B, P0191, P24B9, P2200, P2400.”
Filed Feb 2, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 57 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.
Other problems on this car
- Windshield cracks or distorts 399 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 61 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 52 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 32 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 28 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 26 reports