# Subaru Forester power steering warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 26 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (6) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 26 owner complaints about the power steering warning light on the Subaru Forester (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (6). There is **1 recall** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. ## Subaru Forester power steering warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the power steering light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 6 | 616 | 1% | | 2016 | 5 | 416 | 1% | | 2017 | 2 | 592 | 0% | | 2018 | 5 | 498 | 1% | | 2019 | 5 | 834 | 1% | | 2021 | 1 | 215 | 0% | | 2024 | 1 | 31 | 3% | | 2025 | 1 | 100 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Subaru Forester recalls related to the power steering warning light **[19V065000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V065000)** (2019 models, reported 2019-02-06): Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet. Subaru has notified dealers and they will inspect the steering gearbox, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Subaru Forester owners report - "Damaged wiring can cause loss of power steering mid-drive, ABS and braking system malfunctions, airbag deployment failures, engine stalling on highways, and electrical fires -- any of which can result in injury or death. The manufacturer knows soy-based coatings attract rodents, the consequences are safety-critical,..." -- owner of a 2025 Subaru Forester, complaint filed 2026 - "The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000. The..." -- owner of a 2024 Subaru Forester, complaint filed 2024 - "This created an immediate hazard as the vehicle rapidly decelerated in active traffic without warning, blinding drivers behind me and stripping the vehicle of power steering assist. This forced a dangerous maneuver to navigate the disabled vehicle through highway traffic to the shoulder, significantly risking a..." -- owner of a 2021 Subaru Forester, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the power steering warning light means The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. On most newer cars with electric power steering, a low battery or charging voltage is a common cause. On older cars with hydraulic steering, low fluid or a slipping belt is more likely. You can still steer without assist, but it takes much more effort. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low battery or charging voltage** (common) 2. **Electric power steering motor or module fault** (common) 3. **Low power steering fluid (hydraulic systems)** (common) 4. **Steering torque or angle sensor fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Subaru Forester power steering light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (19V065000) covering 2019 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Subaru Forester years have the most power steering light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2018 Forester model years have the most complaints mentioning the power steering warning light, with 6 for 2015. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Subaru Forester with the power steering light on? Drive to a shop this week. If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. If steering becomes heavy, jerky or locks up, or the light is red, pull over and stop driving; have the car towed, because sudden loss of assist at speed or in a tight turn can cause a crash. ### How do I check if my Subaru Forester has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Subaru dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Subaru Forester warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/subaru-forester): 20 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/subaru-forester): 280 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/subaru-forester): 43 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/subaru-forester): 179 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/subaru-forester): 38 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/subaru-forester): 21 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/subaru-forester): 15 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/subaru-forester): 26 complaints ## Power steering warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-colorado): 810 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chrysler-pacifica): 252 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-wrangler): 248 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-grand-cherokee): 231 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-accord): 220 complaints ## Subaru Forester - [Subaru Forester specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/subaru-forester) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/subaru-forester Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.