Complaint volume
589 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2020 Subaru Forester Complaints
589 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Subaru Forester, grouped by component category.
589 Total complaints
25 Crash reports
7 Fire reports
13 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are visibility/wiper, unknown or other, visibility. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 25 crash reports, 7 fire reports, 13 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 272 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 10,312 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to visibility/wiper, unknown or other, visibility?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2020 Subaru Forester?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2020 Subaru Forester
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2020 Subaru Forester complaints?
25 Crash
7 Fire
13 Injury
0 Fatality
23 Towed
10 Medical attention
What are the most common 2020 Subaru Forester complaint categories?
VISIBILITY/WIPER 234
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 67
VISIBILITY 49
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 44
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 15
ENGINE 15
POWER TRAIN 9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER 8
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 6
589 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I am writing to express serious concerns about the Auto Start-Stop feature, which poses a significant safety risk when it causes shutdowns in critical situations. Recently, my vehicle shut off due to Auto Start-Stop while in the express lane of a highway. A depleted battery prevented it from restarting, leaving me stranded without the ability to shift to neutral or activate brake lights and hazard signals. For 30 minutes, I was stuck in a vulnerable position, forcing high-speed traffic to swerve dangerously close to my vehicle. While the battery issue was a factor, the car would have remained running had I been able to turn it off manually once parked. Reports from other drivers indicate similar issues, including stalling, hesitation, and complete system failures. Given these risks, I urge the NHTSA to investigate this feature and require manufacturers to provide a permanent disable option rather than a temporary one that resets. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Unknown or auto stop-start On two occasions when I stopped at a red light (auto stop-start activated) the car stalled out when I hit the gas. There was a warning message that alerted on the dash as well as flashing lights and beeping. The only way to restart my car was to put it in park, turn it off, then turn it back on. These were both at heavily used intersections and I had to use my emergency lights to try prevent being rear-ended and both times I have struggled to quickly resolve the issue which caused danger to others as well. My car has been serviced and inspected in the last 2 months so I am unsure the cause. I had received no alerts or warnings on my car prior to these instances and assumed the first instance was a fluke. I have scheduled a service with a subaru dealer in the near future. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | ENGINE | Upon exiting freeway, all lights on car came on including brake light. When placed in park, the engine would rev. If placed in drive, car would drive without gas given. Car towed to Subaru dealership and diagnosed with thermo control valve defect which seems to be a known widespread issue. Thankfully I was located close to a Subaru dealership however if not, this could cause others to be stranded. Given this widespread issue, a recall should occur to fix this issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact became aware of a 7-inch crack at the bottom of the windshield near the driver’s side pillar running horizontally. The contact stated that there was no impact on the windshield to cause the crack. The vehicle had not been taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be inspected. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 45,000 |
| Jan 2025 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal of the vehicle was applied inadvertently without any vehicles surrounding the vehicle. The contact stated that simultaneously a " Pre collision braking system was activated " message appeared. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the failure was not replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 26,000 |
| Jan 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | Periodically, the vehicle stalls at stop lights, stop signs, and in other situations when coming to a complete stop. Once the vehicle comes to a complete stop and turns off due to the auto-stop/start function, it stalls immediately after the car re-starts and you press the gas pedal. This leaves the vehicle stalled in intersections and in potentially dangerous conditions. You must engage park and restart the vehicle while stopped in the middle of traffic, which poses a significant safety risk. I believe this issue is related to the auto-stop/start functionality. The vehicle has been inspected by a Subaru dealer several times, but they claim they cannot reproduce the problem and there are no diagnostic codes or warning lights. No other mechanic has inspected the vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | AIR BAGS | The passenger seat airbag sensor does not activate all the time. My girlfriend weighs [XXX]. When she sits in the passenger seat, it only activates the sensor approx 50% of the time. I took it to Subaru, they indicated the sensor was working properly, and their resolution to the issue was for her to weight at least 120 pounds !!! I have that in writing on the repair ticket from Dreyer Reinbold Subaru Greenwood Indiana. I took my complaint to Subaru, and after repeated follow up phone calls, I was informed that in Subaru's owners manual, it stipulates that the individual must meet certain criteria in order to activate the passenger seat sensor. I have yet to find that reference. So, does Subaru inform every potential buyer of the fact that individuals seated in the passenger seat must meet the 120 pound minimum weight to activate the airbag sensor to keep them safe ? I bet not. Thank you for your consideration to helping me keep any passenger in my 2020 Subaru safe, and for countless others that may have have this issue but never check to insure the airbag becomes activated. I have seen recalls for 2020 Outback & Legacy for the same issue with the passenger seat sensor, is it possible some Foresters have the same sensor? [XXX] - [XXX] - [XXX] - [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | STEERING,ENGINE | My Forester just totally shuts down sometimes from the auto start feature in traffic or intersections . Errors come up . The wheel locks and I must put the car in park , turn it off and turn it back on. Very scary and very dangerous. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | STRUCTURE | Automated lift gate opened fully, and then immediately closed without warning upon a person who was trying to access the back, nearly causing injury. It is unknown what precisely is failing within the lift gate and it is available for review. The automated lift gate can close on a person unexpectedly potentially causing injury. This has been reproduced as was "fixed" by the dealer but then reappeared only a month later with the same issue. The vehicle was not inspected by anyone but the dealer's service representatives. There was a soft beep emitted as it came down but the behavior was completely unexpected. There were no warning lamps or other information as to something was non-functional, only the soft beep as the lift-gate fully opened, then automatically fully shut right after. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | My car completely lost power. I had driven to the stop light and was waiting when it lost power. It had no power for several minutes and was unresponsive to the ignition or anything else. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | This has happened multiple times, is increasing in frequency. Stopped in traffic at a red light. The Auto Stop/Start was enabled and activated when stopped at the light. When the light turned green, tried to go, but the AS/S system failed. A “No Eyesight” warning flashed and disappeared; various symbol lights blinked across the instrument panel. Car would not start, hazards would not activate. After 10-20 seconds, I was able to put the car in park and restart the engine (would not start before then). No battery or check engine lights had been on previously, up to date on oil changes, 66k total miles, vehicle fully maintained at the nearest dealership. This was scary as I was stuck in the middle of the road on a state highway with traffic and cars behind me. Many people have reported this issue in Subarus and I’d like for this dangerous problem to be formally addressed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | ENGINE,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | "Check Engine" light along with "Eye Sight" appeared suddenly on Nov. 22, 2024. All safety systems along with cruise control became inoperable. Took car to Subaru dealer and it was confirmed to be the catalytic converter. My VIN is covered under extended warranty, but I was never notified of this. Plus, now repairs are of an emergency nature. Also, I do a lot of driving including on the NJ Turnpike, I-95, etc., and while I am awaiting car to be repaired, I have no safety features to rely on--which was one of the reasons I bought a Subaru. They will not pay for a courtesy car loan. Another issue is the Thermo Control Valve. I was notified that I have an extended warranty for this, but part has to FAIL before Subaru will make repairs. Once again this becomes an emergency repair situation instead of a proactive one. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | ENGINE | Subaru Forester engine stalls at an intersection due to auto start stop feature of subaru to save fuel, except that this is the second time when engine is idling it lowers the revs and then it stalls when trying to auto start engine; first time the dealer said is battery issue, I replaced the battery at my cost, and this is the second time. It is dangerous because there are oncoming traffic and I have only a split second to turn on my flashing lights. This is a brand new battery install on 9/2024. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The automatic rear liftgate opens all the way, then closes automatically on your head/back. This has been happening with my car for over a year. When it started, it was occasional, but now it happens nearly every time. When it closes, it does so with considerable force, and has knocked me over twice. One time it hit my head just right and I came close to losing consciousness. I have taken it to Subaru and they said it wasn't an issue. They just reset the liftgate trim height, but that only fixed it for 2 closes. Then it started again. There are many reports of this issue online, and others note that it is a safety concern as well. Others have reported that replacing the liftgate struts and/or the entire liftgate mechanism resolved the problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | ENGINE | DEFECTIVE THERMOSTATIC CONTROL VALVE- This part NEEDS to be recalled. Manufacturer has extended the warranty on the part, so it was free to replace. Otherwise, it's a $1600 part. I'm thankful they covered the price, but upset that this KNOWN issue is preventable and they've been letting people continue to be put in danger for four years now?! Incident 1) I was driving 45 mph on a busy street when the car bucked & All engine lights turned on (not helpful to pinpoint a problem) EyeSight turned off (when I needed it most.) The car was worse than dead. I was desperate to get to the shoulder, so I slammed on the emergency lights. Horrified, I realized turning the wheel did almost nothing. I had to lean on the steering wheel to get to the shoulder. When I applied gas it would choppily accelerate, so instead i let the car coast. Since i had no gas, i was stuck in the middle of a side road. I put it in park and turned it off. Someone started walking up from the bad neighborhood, wanted me to get out so he could push the car. I said no, but It took a few minutes to talk him into leaving through the glass of my window. But, this time when i started it up the dash warning lights were off Incident 2) between Oct& Nov 2024 Intermittently all the dash lights turned on, no cruise control or Eyesight. Resolved on its own. No engine trouble acompanied these. Incident 3) Nov 5th, 2024. I started my car, warmed it up, and drove for about 3 minute's when all the dashlights lit up, Eyesight failed, and the whole engine acted like it was on choppy seas. This was at night in a rural area and I was barely able to guide the car to the right shoulder because the accelerator was not working at all. Ended up slashing up my tire and ruining my rim on the shoulder of the road since the car was barely maneuverable. I could have been killed or in an accident - where is the recall on this part?? Mileage at total failure : 46,434 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The auto start stop feature has caused my car to shutdown with all lights lit on the dash in more than one scenario. In traffic on the freeway, I had my foot on the brake. It auto stopped. Then when the traffic was starting to move, I went to push the accelerator and the dashboard lights all lit up and the engine shut off completely. The car was still in drive but it was off. I had to shift the car into park and push the start button to start the engine back up. It has happened before at traffic lights with the same outcomes. I went to subaru dealer and they said some of the batteries were faulty and replaced it but that is not the issue since it is still happening. It is dangerous in traffic! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Stopped in traffic near a red light. The Auto Stop/Start was enabled and activated when stopped at the light. When the light turned green, tried to go, but the AS/S system failed. A “No Eyesight” warning flashed and disappeared; various symbol lights blinked. Car would not start, hazards would not activate. After 20-30 seconds, I was able to put the car in park and restart the engine (would not start before then). No battery or check engine lights had been on previously, up to date on oil changes, 35k total miles, and I had a quarter tank of gas. This was scary as I was stuck in the middle of the road with my children while cars behind me tried to pass on either side. Many people have reported this issue in Subarus and I’d like for this dangerous problem to be formally addressed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The Auto stop start feature on the car drains the battery and alternator too much. It shouldn’t be forced on consumers. If it was a feature I wanted to use I should have the option of turning it on not be forced to always turn it off since I don’t use it. The alternator has already been replaced under warranty due to this feature. Between that and the dealership saying it would be over $700 to replace the battery is ridiculous. Today the car died while at a stop and the battery is needing to be replaced. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Stopped at a red light at busy intersection. The Auto Stop/Start was enabled and activated when stopped at the light. When the light turned green, tried to go, but the AS/S system failed. A “No Eyesight” warning flashed and disappeared; various symbol lights blinked. Car would not start. Driver activated hazard lights, which flashed for no longer than three to five minutes before stopping completely. While car was stalled in traffic, a few lights continued to blink on the dash. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Vehicle traveling W on [XXX] Bryan TX. Automobile suddenly started shaking and not developing power, Driver was able to pull off on the shoulder barely clearing the #2 lane. The engine would crank but not sustain operation. The auto required transport to the home garaging location. Subsequent analysis of the fuel showed it to be gasoline, no water, lacked appearance of any foreign matter. With the ignition on 12V were detected at the gas tank terminal, however the in tank pump would not produce fuel flow at the connection at the top of the tank. Had the vehicle been operating in the #1 lane it may not have been possible to clear the traveled lanes thus causing a traffic safety problem. A State Trooper did provide protection until the vehicle was transported. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while at a complete stop, the automatic START/STOP, the feature intermittently failed to operate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the failure occurred without warning. The contact stated that once the vehicle was restarted, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the failure was related to the battery. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 80,000 |
| Sep 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The head unit suddenly stopped working. It unfortunately isn’t covered Under warranty. The screen consistently turns on and off. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | Subaru of America is aware of the problem which impacts several models and model years, see Subaru Service Bulletin 16-132-20R. Transmission slippage and bounce feel during acceleration. Can be strong enough at times to visually see occupants moving with momentum/bounce at times. Could contribute to vehicle not maintaining/reducing/responding to speed control systems, failure of transmission components, stranding occupants, and other similar hazards that come with the mechanical failure of a transmission. Has caused slowing of acceleration which impacted surrounding traffic on a few occasions. Vehicle is scheduled to be inspected by manufacture dealership on morning of 08/27/24. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Car shuts off while stopped at light. This has happened 3 times. I have taken it to Subaru service provider and keep being told nothing is wrong. Car must be put into park and restarted to work. It is unsafe. There are multiple reports online ([XXX] and [XXX] ) of people reporting the same issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE | A week after my routine oil changed at 31K, the check engine light along with flashing "s" pop up. The next day the check engine disappeared. I was some what happy and continue to drive car as normal for 2 days, then check engine light came back again and this time is staying for good. I just can't believed that 4 years old car is having this issue. I've owned so many cars prior to this 2020 Subaru Forester, never once that those cars have problems like this one. I feel that i'm at risk driving without no eyesight or collision prevention warning.. when the check engine comes on, those two things are disable. After a long research and reading about so many people with same issues, i feel that they should be a recalling to fix the thermal valve control. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |