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2020 Subaru Forester Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 603 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Subaru Forester, most often about the visibility and wipers (50% of complaints, typically around 6,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Forester model year since 2000.
Complaints603
Recalls0
Crashes reported26
Fires reported9
Injuries reported16
Most common 2020 Subaru Forester problems
Visibility and wipers
301 complaints · 50%Half of these problems showed up before 6,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield.
Driving on a surface street at a constant speed of ~45 MPH, a small pebble flew into the windshield and created a crack which further expanded as a hairline crack which impairs vision through the windshield and can potentially cause problems with the eyesight safety features. At this speed, this incident should not…
Driving the car on the highway from a relatives house, going approx 65 and was hit by something small, could not verify what it was, but presume it was a rock. Upon impact, it sounded like a gunshot, which scared everyone in the car. The damage took its toll on the windshield where it left a huge baseball size break…
Other or unspecified
107 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 6,000 miles.
Vehicle was driving next to an rv on the freeway. Rv kicked up small debris onto windshield. Windshield immediately had about 16 inch crack.
On june 16th, 2020 my vehicle was straight in motion on a city street. Randomly, a crack appeared on the driver side part of the windshield. I have no idea what caused this, but the dealership did not give me coverage for this incident.
Electrical
103 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 2,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, adas.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the battery drained quickly, and the vehicle had to be jumpstarted after three days. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the battery was continually being drained and needed to be recharged frequently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, a cause for the failure was not determined. The dealer recharged the battery.…
Engine
84 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while his wife was stopped at a red traffic light in the middle lane and surrounded by other vehicles, the auto start/stop system engaged; however, when the brake pedal was released, the vehicle failed to restart. After several attempts, the vehicle…
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the forward collision avoidance automatic emergency braking system activated and applied the brakes. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where he smelled a burnt smell in the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle…
Driver assistance
55 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 5,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, warnings, warning, adaptive cruise control.
2/17/2021 - honda accord going north on lynchburg turnpike ran a stoplight (going about 30 in a 25 mpg zone) trying to turn west onto east main st. In salem, va ... Bounced opposite curb, cut west and swerved (oversteer) and came head on into my stationary 2020 Forester. Our light had just turned green and we were…
I was driving up an empty suburban road at 25 MPH when the brakes suddenly went off, causing the car to skid to a stop. The dashboard screen said the pre-collision emergency braking system was activated. There was nothing in the road and no reason for the car to stop suddenly. Thank god I wasn't on the highway - this…
Transmission
32 complaints · 5%Speed control
24 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space and pressing the parking brake, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and accelerated forward. During the incident, the vehicle drove over a curb, hit a lamp post, and crashed into a parked vehicle.…
On 11/18/2023, as soon as I started the vehicle, put it in reverse and let off the brake to back down the driveway, the car made a loud unfamiliar noise (like bzzzzzt) and suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated on its own. Nothing worked, brakes, automatic gear shift, gas pedal, and steering were all disengaged. It was…
Body and structure
15 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 6,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
On june 16th, 2020 my vehicle was straight in motion on a city street. Randomly, a crack appeared on the driver side part of the windshield. I have no idea what caused this, but the dealership did not give me coverage for this incident.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 80 MPH, the hood started to shake and vibrate abnormally. The vehicle was taken to ocean Subaru of fullerton (1100 s euclid st, fullerton, ca 92832, ([phone]) however, was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2020 Subaru Forester recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2020 Subaru Forester
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Subaru Forester?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: visibility and wipers (301 complaints, typically around 6,000 miles); other or unspecified (107 complaints, typically around 6,000 miles); electrical (103 complaints, typically around 2,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2020 Subaru Forester have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2020 Subaru Forester. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2020 a bad year for the Subaru Forester?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Forester model year since 2000, with 603 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.