Severe Issues

2020 SUBARU FORESTER Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2020 Subaru Forester. This model year has 588 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Visibility/Wiper.

588
Complaints
25
Crashes
7
Fires
16
Injuries
β€”
Deaths
β€”
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2020 Subaru Forester Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
252
complaints

Visibility/Wiper

#2
104
complaints

Uncategorized Issues

Crash-related:4
Fires:2
#3
96
complaints

Electrical Faults

Crash-related:1
Fires:1
Injuries:1

Considering a 2020 Subaru Forester?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2020 Subaru Forester. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Visibility/Wiper252β€”β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues10442β€”
Electrical Faults9611β€”
Engine Problems7423β€”
Visibility49β€”β€”β€”
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB4241β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain301β€”β€”
Unintended Acceleration2412β€”β€”
Lane Departure221β€”β€”
Structural Problems151β€”β€”
Brake System1351β€”
Airbag Malfunctions1161β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System1122β€”
Steering Defects113β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues4β€”β€”β€”
Seat Belt Issues3β€”β€”β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures3β€”β€”β€”
Door Lock Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Tire Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)21β€”β€”
Back Over Prevention1β€”β€”β€”
Chest Clip1β€”β€”β€”
Buckle1β€”β€”β€”
Harness1β€”β€”β€”
Parking-Brake Issues11β€”β€”
Wheel Issues1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

πŸ”

Showing 400 most recent complaints of 588 total. View all on NHTSA β†—

Electrical FaultsMar 14, 2026

My Apple Car Play has never worked since I bought the car new in 2020. The dealership's solution each time I asked about it was for me to get a new plug in cord, update my iPhone settings, and then they can update the system manually. I have taken it in multiple times, and each t…

Electrical FaultsMar 6, 2026

stalling/shutting down at stoplights with the auto start-stop feature has occurred continuously for the last 2 years I’ve taken to dealer, and multiple mechanics and they can’t find a problem

Electrical FaultsFeb 26, 2026

My son, [XXX] is currently driving this car. The car only has 29,200 miles so far. Last week, while at the stop light on the hill, he had near fatal accident! Forester suddenly completed shut down. The only functioning part was the brake. My son had to put the car in park and res…

Electrical FaultsFeb 20, 2026

The airbag system has a sensor issue and I keep getting warnings from Subaru to get it fixed because it affects the seatbelts. The garage where I take my car says they are unable to get the part needed for the passenger sensor. And, Subaru says they need to replace the whole har…

Engine ProblemsDec 30, 2025

While driving my 2020 Subaru Forester at approximately 15 mph, the engine unexpectedly shut off, resulting in an immediate loss of propulsion (vehicle stall while in motion). This created a safety risk because the vehicle was in traffic and could have been struck from behind or l…

Headlight/Taillight FailuresDec 21, 2025

Since I purchased my Subaru Forester new in 2020, people regularly flash their high beams at me at night when my low beams are on, because they think I have my high beams on. I also flash my high beams at cars when I think they have their high beams on then they do the same, to s…

Electrical FaultsOct 24, 2025

While driving on public roads, all dash warning lights illuminated simultaneously. The instrument cluster displayed β€œEyeSight 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…

Electrical FaultsOct 16, 2025

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. A…

Electrical FaultsSep 29, 2025

Car frequently dies and won't want to start. Have changed the battery already. Will come to a stop and it will just randomly shut down. Have had to shift to park and restart the car. This is unsafe.

Electrical FaultsSep 23, 2025

2020 Subaru Forester periodically will stall out at a light or stop sign in heavy traffic. It then takes several attempts to restart. (Sometimes completely dead) My mechanic hasI changed the battery and checked the alternator, all in working order. It’s hard to figure out what is…

Electrical FaultsSep 19, 2025

We were traveling in rural California, 1 hour north of Bishop, CA on [XXX] when our vehicle's "Check Engine" light, "Parking Break" light, and several other lights lit up on our dashboard. Our car began to stall out immediately. We were able to pull off to the side of the road as…

Electrical FaultsSep 17, 2025

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 fr…

Electrical FaultsSep 15, 2025

When stopped at an intersection the car stalled. It would not restart for three minutes and caused a dangerous situation for my family and children in the car while traffic was moving. There were no warning signs, lights, or engine codes. The problem is random and cannot repr…

Electrical FaultsSep 3, 2025

Parasitic battery drain

Visibility/WiperJul 31, 2025

As I was driving my 2020 Subaru Forester a cracked suddenly appeared across the driver side of the windshield, possibly from a small pebble. The sunlight reflection off the crack sent blinding sunlight into my eyes which nearly caused a collision with the car stopped in front o…

Electrical FaultsJul 22, 2025

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…

Electrical FaultsJun 26, 2025

This has happened 8 times in a month span. The car is currently being looked at by the dealership and so far they can’t find anything wrong. When I’m stopped in traffic, my car’s engine turns off. Once the light turns green and I press on the accelerator I hear a beep and the c…

Engine ProblemsJun 9, 2025

my Subaru suddenly had numerous warning lights go on. Took it to the dealer and they said it was due to a recalled part: thermo control valve. They replaced it for free but said my head gaskets needed to be replaced after checking my oil for $4000 plus. I believe the recalled par…

Electrical FaultsMay 10, 2025

While driving, the vehicle's Automatic Stop-Start System Engaged as usual when the car came to a stop (e.g., at a red light or in traffic). However, when releasing the brake, the Automatic Stop-Start System failed to restart the engine. Not only it failed to restart the engine, b…

Steering DefectsπŸ’₯ CrashApr 4, 2025

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 …

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Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2020 Subaru Forester.

Recalls for 2020 Subaru Forester

0 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2020 Subaru Forester. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

No recall campaigns found for this model year in the current data. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls directly for the latest information.

2020 Subaru Forester β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2020 Subaru Forester reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2020 Subaru Forester has 588 NHTSA owner complaints, 25 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Visibility/Wiper (252 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Subaru Forester?β–Ύ

#1: Visibility/Wiper (252 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (104 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (96 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2020 Subaru Forester?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2020 Subaru Forester?β–Ύ

The 2020 Subaru Forester has 25 crash-related complaints and 7 fire reports out of 588 total NHTSA complaints. 16 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2020 Subaru Forester have any recalls?β–Ύ

No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2020 Subaru Forester in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.

Should I buy a 2020 Subaru Forester?β–Ύ

The 2020 Subaru Forester has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Visibility/Wiper issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2020 Subaru Forester

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.