2019 Subaru Forester: Battery always dying
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2019 Forester report: battery always dying. CarComplaints.com lists 10 owner complaints, average mileage 19,550 miles.
NHTSA has 134 owner complaints for the 2019 Forester in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11729108 (filed 04/03/2026): “We have replaced the battery twice and likely will need a third battery soon. i have learned that there is a known issue with the dcm trying to connect using 3g. this is causing a parasitic drain on the battery. the vehicle will fail to start. this has occurre…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11723269 (filed 03/10/2026): “The contact owns a 2019 subaru forester. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, with several unknown warning lights intermittently illuminated. the failure had occurred on several occasions. the vehicle was taken to…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: more reliable battery system needed (2 reports) redesign electrical system (2 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Finding and splicing chewed wiring is doable with a multimeter and patience but can be time-consuming; harness replacement is pro work. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $200 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .