Owners have reported 25 crashes, 7 fires and 16 injuries to NHTSA for the 2020 Subaru Forester. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints238
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners report frequent issues with the windshields of the 2020 Subaru Forester, with many describing spontaneous cracks appearing without any apparent impact or external cause. Complaints frequently mention cracks developing while the vehicle is parked or during normal driving conditions, often within the first year of ownership. Multiple owners describe having to replace their windshields multiple times, with some experiencing cracks every 6-7 months. The sudden appearance of cracks is noted to affect visibility and potentially compromise safety, although no crashes or loss of control incidents are reported. Potential buyers should be aware of the recurring nature of this issue, which could lead to ongoing maintenance costs.
Owner complaints88
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent electrical system issues with the 2020 Subaru Forester, primarily involving the Auto Start-Stop feature and battery-related problems. Common symptoms include the vehicle stalling at stoplights or intersections, failure to restart after the Auto Start-Stop engages, and multiple dashboard warning lights illuminating simultaneously. These issues often occur around 36,000 to 66,000 miles, with some owners experiencing repeated incidents. Safety implications are significant, as complaints describe vehicles stalling in traffic or on highways, posing risks to occupants and other road users. Additionally, there is one report of a crash and one of a fire, highlighting potential safety hazards related to these electrical malfunctions.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints82
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2020 Subaru Forester commonly report issues with the windshield cracking unexpectedly and the vehicle stalling, particularly related to the auto stop-start feature. Complaints frequently describe windshields developing large cracks without apparent cause, sometimes shortly after purchase, affecting visibility and requiring replacement. Additionally, multiple owners describe the vehicle stalling at stoplights or in traffic, often necessitating a restart, which can cause unsafe situations. Some reports involve crashes or fires, particularly after vehicle impacts or spontaneous vehicle fires, with airbags not deploying in certain incidents. These issues appear across varying mileage ranges, with some stalling problems reported shortly after purchase and others after significant use.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints28
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2020 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the thermo control valve, which often fails and results in a range of problems. Common symptoms include the check engine light activating, disabling of safety features such as EyeSight and lane assist, and loss of heat in the vehicle. These issues typically occur around 50,000 to 70,000 miles, although some report failures as early as 17,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, with complaints mentioning loss of acceleration and control, and in one case, a crash is reported. Buyers should be aware that these repairs can be costly, often exceeding $1,500, and that Subaru has issued a service bulletin acknowledging the issue.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints27
ENGINE
Owners report frequent issues with the thermo control valve in the 2020 Subaru Forester, often leading to engine stalling and loss of vehicle propulsion. Typical symptoms include the sudden illumination of multiple warning lights, disabling of safety features such as EyeSight, and the engine failing to restart after shutting off at stops. These problems commonly emerge around 46,000 to 76,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with one complaint involving a fire after a collision and others describing dangerous stalls in traffic. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, particularly as they may incur costly repairs if not covered under warranty.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints11
STEERING
Owners of the 2020 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with steering, particularly in relation to the vehicle's advanced driver assistance systems. Common symptoms include unexpected self-acceleration, loss of steering control, and malfunctioning lane-keeping features, with some incidents resulting in crashes and injuries. Several complaints detail instances where the steering wheel locks or fails to respond, often accompanied by the vehicle's failure to decelerate or brake effectively. These issues are sometimes reported in conjunction with the auto start-stop feature causing the engine to shut off at low speeds, leading to a temporary loss of steering. Safety implications are significant, with multiple reports of crashes and injuries, suggesting that potential buyers should be aware of these patterns when considering this model.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints10
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2020 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with unintended acceleration, often occurring when the vehicle is in motion or when attempting to stop. Common symptoms include the vehicle accelerating despite braking efforts, sometimes leading to crashes. In several cases, this unintended acceleration is described alongside a failure of the brake system to effectively stop the vehicle. These issues are reported across various mileage ranges, with some occurring as early as 3,000 miles. The complaints highlight significant safety implications, with multiple incidents resulting in crashes and injuries. This pattern of reports may be relevant for potential buyers considering the safety and reliability of this model.
Severity signals: 7 crash, 0 fire, 6 injury reports
Owner complaints9
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2020 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the airbag system, particularly involving the passenger seat airbag sensor not activating consistently. Complaints often describe the airbag failing to deploy during crashes, with some instances resulting in injuries. The reports indicate that the passenger airbag sensor may not engage for individuals weighing less than a specified amount, with some owners noting problems at mileages as low as 0 to around 13,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as six complaints involve crashes, one mentions a fire, and five report injuries. Buyers should be aware of potential airbag deployment issues and passenger sensor sensitivity when considering this vehicle.
Severity signals: 6 crash, 1 fire, 5 injury reports
Owner complaints7
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report issues with the forward collision avoidance systems in the 2020 Subaru Forester, with problems typically emerging between 26,000 miles and over 50,000 miles. Complaints frequently mention the automatic emergency braking system activating unexpectedly, causing sudden stops without any apparent obstruction, which could lead to potential rear-end collisions if other vehicles are nearby. Multiple owners describe instances where the pre-collision system misidentifies parked or non-moving vehicles as threats, leading to abrupt braking. Additionally, some owners experience complete system failures where all safety assist systems are disabled, often accompanied by illuminated dashboard warning lights. These issues highlight potential safety risks, especially in situations requiring consistent vehicle control.
Owner complaints3
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2020 Subaru Forester report issues with the service brakes, including unexpected braking and brake system failures. One complaint describes the vehicle autonomously applying brakes without apparent cause while accelerating, which could pose a risk in adverse conditions. Another owner reports a failure in the automatic braking system leading to a crash, subsequent fire, and injury, highlighting significant safety implications. Additionally, there are reports of the vehicle surging forward when brakes are applied, indicating potential inconsistencies in brake performance. These issues are noted at varying mileage levels, with one owner specifying low mileage, suggesting that problems may arise early in the vehicle's life.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
