2020 Subaru Forester problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 591 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Subaru Forester, most often about visibility & wipers. There are 0 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 591
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 25
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 14
- Median mileage
- 6,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Visibility & Wipers is the most-reported problem area, named in 296 of 591 complaints (50%).
- Electrical System (102) and engine (83) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 6,000 mi.
- Owners reported 25 crashes, 9 fires and 14 injuries.
- It ranks 2nd of 22 Subaru Forester model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 9% fewer complaints than the 2019 model year (647).
2020 Subaru Forester problems by category
- 296 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 5 crashes106 complaints
- Electrical System · 1 crash102 complaints
- Engine · 2 crashes83 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 5 crashes57 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash31 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control · 12 crashes24 complaints
- Body & Structure · 1 crash16 complaints
- Brakes · 5 crashes13 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion · 3 crashes13 complaints
- Airbags · 6 crashes10 complaints
- Steering · 2 crashes9 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts5 complaints
- Lighting3 complaints
- Wheels & Tires2 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 247 |
| Unknown or other | 105 |
| Electrical system | 100 |
| Engine | 80 |
| Visibility:windshield | 46 |
| Power train | 31 |
| Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 27 |
| Vehicle speed control | 21 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2020 Subaru Forester recalls (0)
No recalls on file.
NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Recent 2020 Subaru Forester complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 8, 2026NYElectrical System
Experienced parasitic battery drain which disabled the vehicle. The drain is tied to a 30 amp fuse labeled "BACKUP" under the hood of the vehicle. This fuse controls the touchscreen, backup camera, interior lights, key fob and radio. There were no warning lights or trouble codes associated with this issue. The problem was replicated by both a Subaru dealer and an independent shop. Neither could find the immediate problem without further investigation, which would have cost…
NHTSA complaint #11769881 · source - Filed Sep 19, 2026WAFireElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
Smoke and fire occurred in the engine and spread into the car while the car was being driven. The car has not been inspected yet.
NHTSA complaint #11765530 · source - Filed Sep 13, 2026CAEngine
Three times within 30 minutes on short drive, the engine stalled at stop sign or stop light. The car had a half tank of gas, and at the same time as the engine stalled, the miles remaining until empty display showed an anomalous 0.3miles to empty reading. Put the car in park allowed the engine to restart and the range remaining display to return to normal.
NHTSA complaint #11763869 · source - Filed Sep 10, 2026MIEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
Component/System Defect: Failed Thermo Control Valve (TCV) leading to sudden vehicle power loss / limp mode. Description of Safety Incident: While operating my vehicle at highway speeds late at night, the Thermo Control Valve (TCV) failed catastrophically without warning. The vehicle instantly experienced a massive loss of engine power and entered an aggressive "limp mode," causing a drastic, uncommanded deceleration in active traffic lanes.Due to the sudden reduction in…
NHTSA complaint #11763453 · source - Filed Aug 27, 2026ILElectrical SystemEngine
24th February 2020 - Bought the car from Subaru dealer. Couple of service records prior to May 24, 2022. - May 24, 2022 (9,037 miles) | RO# 806326: The lower oil pan leaked prematurely and had to be completely replaced under warranty. During the same visit, explained LONG BRAKE PEDAL issue, and was given an estimate. - - June 1, 2022 (9,039 miles) | RO# 806767: Just 2 miles after that repair, the oil pan had to be torn apart again because the internal oil level sensor failed…
NHTSA complaint #11760087 · source - Filed Aug 19, 2026CAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
This 2020 Subaru Forester has experienced repeated failures involving the Auto Start/Stop system. When stopped in traffic, the system shuts the engine off as designed, but on multiple occasions the engine has failed to restart normally when the driver needed to proceed. This has left the vehicle unable to move in active traffic and created a serious risk of collision. The failures have occurred in highly dangerous situations, including a busy [XXX], a major [XXX]…
NHTSA complaint #11758094 · source - Filed Aug 11, 2026ILCrashFireTowedFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown
While driving my girfriend's 2020 Subaru Forester on August 11, 2026 at approximately 65 to 70 mph, I struck a deer on a highway. The airbags deployed immediately, and I temporarily lost all forward visibility due to the airbag deploy, and smoke or steam coming from the front of the vehicle as it decelerated to a stop. Within moments of stopping, smoke transitioned to visible flames coming from the engine compartment. The fire spread extremely quickly, and the vehicle became…
NHTSA complaint #11756381 · source - Filed Jul 17, 2026COEngineOther / Unknown
My 2020 Subaru Forester Sport suffered catastrophic engine failure on 6/19/2026 at 156,322 miles, 15 days and 1,031 miles after a thermo control valve (TCV) repair performed at an authorized Subaru dealer on 6/4/2026. The TCV is a known defect covered under Subaru TSB 09-119-24 (extended coverage to 150,000 miles/15 years). I never received mailed notification of this TSB and therefore did not seek repair within the covered window; Subaru approved the repair as a goodwill…
NHTSA complaint #11751083 · source
Compare the 2020 Subaru Forester with another vehicle →
Other 2020 Subaru models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology