2020 Subaru Forester driver assistance & safety tech problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 26, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   **Component or System:** Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist System (specifically the Pre-Collision Throttle Management system). **Incident Description & Warning Messages:** There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms of any problem prior to this failure. The incident occurred while I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection. When the light turned green, I removed my foot from the brake and pressed the gas pedal to proceed, but the vehicle would not accelerate. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11746796 · source
2. Filed Oct 24, 2025CADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   While driving on public roads, all dash warning lights illuminated simultaneously. The instrument cluster displayed “EyeSight OFF.” At the same time, the electronic parking brake engaged / the vehicle would not accelerate and required me to stop and shift to Park. The only way to restore drivability was to turn the vehicle off and restart. This has occurred intermittently, including in traffic, creating a serious safety hazard for myself and surrounding drivers.

   NHTSA complaint #11695397 · source
3. Filed Sep 17, 2025NYDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemEngine

   I, the owner of a 2020 Subaru Forester am writing to you in regards to an issue with my vehicle’s Eyesight program. Over the past month, there have been several instances where the Eyesight program fails and caused the vehicle to suddenly stop without warning. This prevents me from safely moving the vehicle to the side of the road as the car stops. In other words, the car abruptly stops on the spot. This creates an immediate danger to life and health to myself and to other…

   NHTSA complaint #11688017 · source
4. Filed Jul 22, 2025NYDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemEngine

   I was stopped at a red light and the engine stalled. It read "FOR SAFETY, AUTO RESTART DISABLED". All warning lights on the dashboard lit up. I had to put the car in park and restart it in order to drive. I was honked at and put in a dangerous position. This has happened at least twice now.

   NHTSA complaint #11675358 · source
5. Filed Apr 4, 2025SCCrashTowedDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

   I was on cruise control, and it randomly decided to go 81 MPH instead of 50 mph i set it to, it did not respond when I tried to turn off the cruise control, and I ended up crashing into a semi, I survived but my [XXX] daughter died. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint #11652853 · source
6. Filed Feb 25, 2025NVDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   In April 2022 after owning the car for 4 weeks the Eyesight went out. I was told it was due to the thermal control module. That was replaced. I’m n June 2023 the AC went out. They said it was the blower motor. That was replaced. In September 2023 the AC went out again. At that point they found the cause was actually a fully melted fuse box and fuses. They replaced the fusebox and the entire AC system. I have had 3 batteries in the vehicle since March 2022. In December 2024…

   NHTSA complaint #11644693 · source
7. Filed Jan 8, 202526,000 miMNTowedDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11634867 · source
8. Filed Dec 3, 2024NJDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngine

   "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…

   NHTSA complaint #11628642 · source
9. Filed Sep 13, 2024CADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   The head unit suddenly stopped working. It unfortunately isn’t covered Under warranty. The screen consistently turns on and off.

   NHTSA complaint #11614522 · source
10. Filed Aug 5, 2024CADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11606639 · source
11. Filed Jul 5, 2024NYCrash3 injuredTowedBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

    Eyesight pre-collision braking feature and pre-collision throttle management feature malfunctioned and caused the 2020 Forester to accelerate unexpectedly and lurch forward while I was manually braking and slowing to come to a complete stop behind two other vehicles stopped at a steady red light. See class action lawsuit Weston, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc., et al. In US District Court Case No. [XXX] which alleges that the vehicle contains certain defects that caused…

    NHTSA complaint #11599272 · source
12. Filed Jun 24, 2024NYDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemEngine

    Within one month the same thing happened. I turn on the car and the eyesight warning light is on (eyesight feature disabled), flashing "S" drive is on, "break" light is on, and check engine light is on. Due to this cruise control isn't working. My plan was to take it to a mechanic/dealership that Monday. By Monday morning, after about 15 minutes of driving, all warning signs disappeared. This exact thing happened a few weeks later (this morning). I started googling issues…

    NHTSA complaint #11596105 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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