2020 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility/wiper is the leading concern among 600 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 26 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 16 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
107 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Nov 29, 2021
UNKNOWN I’m a cautious driver. Really. My Forester windshield has a crack that appeared with little/no preceding incident. Frustrating. Scary. My driver’s manual tells me to get the windshield replaced ASAP.
Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2021
The Subaru windshield on our 2020 Forester developed two large cracks, discovered in the morning of October 4, 2021, after the car was parked at a hotel overnight. There were no observed impacts from stones or anything else the day before. The EyeSight safety system has not been working since then, and it appears that it is unsafe to drive the vehicle. The insurance company and the dealer have been notified. The dealer inspected the vehicle but has told us there are no windshields available for replacement anywhere in the US. There were no warning signs prior to the cracks developing.
Other or unspecified, Oct 23, 2021
My 2020 Subaru Forester has less than 12,000 miles at the time of this complaint, but I am waiting on my fourth (4th) windshield for replacement. I have already paid the dealership, but no windshields have been received in over 2 months. My last windshield replacement was the last windshield that the dealership received. The windshields seem extremely thin and sometimes no rock ding occurred but the windshield was discovered shattered in my garage. My current windshield encountered a small piece of road debris and the windshield completely shattered and glass fragments were on my dashboard. If anything contacts my current windshield I fear it will completely disintegrate and my vehicle will be left with no windshield. My car is still under full warranty and I have met with dealership staff regarding the windshields, any recalls, my safety concerns, and no one has done anything except left me pay for a windshield that they have no idea when or it it may arrive. One part department staff member (Ryan), stated that even if they receive the Forester windshields, they may not arrive intact since they shatter and break during transport. This is EXTREMELY concerning and it OBVIOUSLY a safety issue with these vehicles. If I had been aware of this issue I would have purchased another brans and make of vehicle in October 2019.
Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2021
On August 28, 2021, while driving on a one-way private road that leads to my home, I heard a loud pop and a foot-long crack instantly appeared on my driver's side windshield. I saw no rocks, no projectiles, nothing. This was a spontaneous crack on the windshield. This car is only a year and a half old with very little mileage. My 10 year-old granddaughter was in the car with me. I bought this car because of Subaru's safety record. Now I find out that Subaru knew they had defective windshields and did not issue recalls and/or inform their customers of this problem. My granddaughter's safety is my top priority. Subaru needs to live up to their ideals and fix this problem immediately and without charging any of their customers.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2021
Purchased new on 5/22/2020. On Aug 8th after not driving the car for 3 days, attempted to start vehicle. Would not start. Battery dead. Charged battery with a jump. Drove car home. Next am. Car would not start. Battery dead. Currently trying to get car in for service. This is very dangerous stranding people randomly.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2021
Windshield Repeated problem - windshield gets hit by a small rock and immediately cracks the whole windshield. It's becoming a regular replacement. I can't imagine if getting hit by something larger or being in an accident. Researching the problem, I found many others with the same experience.
Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2021
Have a few chips in windshield. They happen very easily so I googled and found that it's a known issue with a lawsuit. I just bought the car on July 2.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 13, 2021
I tried to unlock my car but the remote didnt work- I had to use the blank key inside the remote to get in the car. I couldn't start the car- my husband tried to jump it- that did not work- I called AAA they tried jumping it - that didnt work-- AAA told me the battery was good but totally out of charge 0%-- I called the subaru salesman I bought the car from & he walked me thru alot of steps & we couldn't find anything wrong besides the battery!! he told me to have my husband try to give me a jump again & after 4 hours the car turned over! What caused it????? no idea??? the next day (7/5/21) I took it to an auto parts store & they tested it out- alternator-perfect--- battery @ 550 with the max 620--- today I read an article about Subaru batteries failing! well mine did for no apparent reason--- maybe they should all be recalled!! I missed my 1st day of vacation due to this!!
Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2021
The vehicle was parked for about 30 minutes. When returning to the vehicle, the windshield had a large crack. We contacted our insurance company and a repair was set up for 07/06/2021. Our deductible for the repair was $250. I have since read that the 2020 Forester is included in a recall for windshields on this model. My Subaru dealer customer service stated it is not included in this recall. Can you please give some guidance in this matter?
Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2021
Windshield cracked
Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2021
CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND IT WAS NOT HIT BY A STONE/DEBRIS. CAUSED IMPAIRED VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Jul 1, 2021
Subaru Cracked Windshield
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2021
Within a few months my 2020 Subaru forester windshield is riddled with multiple (4) chips and cracks. Being that I've driven the same roads with a different car for years with no issues, and my car only had 1,000 miles at the time of the crack and 3,000 during the second crack, I believe my windshield is faulty and prone to damage. There were no sound indications or objects hitting it, it cracked from the side and spread all the way across the windshield. I've gone through proper channels to no avail-- submitted a BBB claim with no answer and told my local Chico subaru dealership and they were no help.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 31, 2021
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - The original battery on our 2020 Subaru Forester died after some repairs related to getting rear ended. The battery died for the first time in March 2021, 8 months after we purchased the car with around 5500 miles on it. That battery was replaced with a brand new Subaru battery. The battery has died 3 times since being replaced. The current battery is available for inspection. In addition to the battery dying, we have recently noticed two situations where the rear hatch has not properly latched. I have a video of the rear hatch trying to latch and popping back open over and over again. I've only noticed this twice, but the first time I noticed this I realize we had been driving with the rear hatch open and our dog could have been put in serious risk if the rear hatch opened. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Issues with the battery dying multiple times puts me at risk of being stranded. The issue of the rear hatch means that anything that is placed in the rear of the vehicle may not be properly secured and could potentially fly out of the vehicle if the unlatched rear hatch opens while driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The original dead battery was initially identified by a body shop. The dealer was not able to find anything wrong with the vehicle upon first inspection, but we are going to take it in again. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle was inspected by a body shop (recommended by our insurance) and the dealer. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The only symptom we are able to routinely detect is a low voltage on our battery, which we believe indicates a parasitic draw.
Other or unspecified, May 31, 2021
Windshield cracked for no reason. I can not get dealer service department to answer the phone Subaru of Macon Ga. I parked my car and two hours I found the windshield cracked. I starts below the windshield wiper on passengers side and goes up and to the middle of the car. It is below the level of the hood of the car.
Other or unspecified, May 20, 2021
Windshield cracked without any impact from an object
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITH NO CAUSE. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH NO CARS AHEAD.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 12, 2021
MULTIPLE DEAD BATTERIES OVER PAST YEAR. WHEN REAR LIFT GATE IS LEFT OPEN FOR LESS THEN AN HOUR WITH ALL LIGHTS INCLUDING INTERIOR OFF IT DRAINS BATTERY. 2019 LIFT GATE MODULE RECALLED DUE TO 'DARK DRAW' BUT DIDN'T INCLUDE EARLIER 2020 MODELS WHICH DID NOT HAVE NEW MODULE INCORPORATED YET. PLEASE INVESTIGATE TO INCLUDE THE EARLY 2020 MODELS IN RECALL. THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY PEOPLE AND IS A HAZARD TO BE LEFT STRANDED OVER SUCH AN EASY FIX THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN INCORPORATED IN THE 2019 MODELS WITH THE RECALL ... MY CAR IS IN THAT 'GREY AREA' ONLY CAUSE IT IS NOT A 2019 BUT BEFORE THE FIX WAS ADDRESSED ON THE 2020 YEAR.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 26, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED, STARTED BELOW WIPER IN THE MIDDLE OF GLASS, CRACK ABOUT 8 INCHES PERPENDICULAR TO THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR IN THE RAIN TURNED ON DEFROSTER AND SAW THE CRACK.
Other or unspecified, Apr 19, 2021
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED. NO APPARENT CHIPS, OR DINGS. SEEMS TO COME FROM THE DEFROST AREA OF THE WINDSHIELD UNDER THE RUBBER GASKET.
Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2021
ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2020, MY 2020 SUBARU FORESTER WINDSHIELD WAS HIT BY SOME VERY SMALL OBJECT THAT HARDLY MADE A SOUND WHEN IT STRUCK. THE RESULT WAS A VERY SMALL CRACK ABOUT AN INCH LONG. I HAD THIS REPAIRED BY SAFELITE MOBILE SERVICE ON SEPT. 30 ON APRIL 6, 2021 AS THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN IN TOWN, AN APPROXIMATELY 15 INCH CRACK APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD. THIS CRACK RUNS FROM THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD UP THROUGH THE REPAIRED "CHIP" MENTIONED ABOVE AND ON FOR ANOTHER 12 INCHES OR SO. THERE WAS NOTHING TO STRIKE THE WINDSHIELD THIS DAY. I CONTACTED THE RAMSEY SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE THERE WAS THAT INITIAL CHIP, THE SUBARU WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE CRACKED WINDSHIELD. I CONTACTED THE SAFELITE OFFICE NEAREST ME THAT HAD REPAIRED THE CHIP IN SEPTEMBER AND THEY SCHEDULED ME TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED ON MONDAY, APRIL 12 AT 12:30 PM. I DID PHONE THE DEALERSHIP ON FRIDAY, APRIL 9 TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITH NO ONE ANSWERING THE PHONE, I LEFT A MESSAGE TO CONTACT ME. I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED A RESPONSE OF ANY KIND. I PLAN TO VISIT THE DEALERSHIP MONDAY MORNING APRIL 12 TO APPEAL MY ORAL DECISION. IF I AM SUCCESSFUL IN THAT, I WILL AMEND THIS REPORT.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 5, 2021
WINDSHIELD LITERALLY CRACKED FROM ONE SIDE TO THE MIDDLE FROM A SMALL PEBBLE (THE FIRST PEBBLE I'VE HAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD). I JUST GOT THIS CAR, BARELY EVEN BROKEN IN AT 7,000 MILES. THE SAFETY FEATURES FROM EYESIGHT DON'T WORK PROPERLY AFTER THIS WHICH POSES A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 1, 2021
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AGO AND WITHIN THE FIRST 4,000 MILES OR SO WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE UPON A HIGHWAY WITH NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH, I HEARD A LIGHT CRACK AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. UPON OBSERVATION OF THE WINDSHIELD, I OBSERVED A VERY SMALL CHIP. WITHIN ONE DAY AFTER, THE CHIP BEGAN TO "SPIDER" CRACK IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN AT THE CAR DEALERSHIP IN WHICH I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE, GURLEY LEEP SUBARU IN THE SOUTH BEND/MISHAWAKA, INDIANA AREA, THEY LOOKED AT THE WINDSHIELD AND GAVE A PROPOSAL OF ESTIMATED COST OF $1,500 TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. I THEN CONTACTED MY STATE FARM INSURANCE AGENT WHO ADVISED SUBARU HAD A CURRENT "CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT" AGAINST THEM FOR DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS THAT CHIP OR CRACK EASILY. STATE FARM ALSO ADVISED THEY HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS SUBARU VEHICLE CUSTOMERS MAKING CLAIMS OF CRACKED WINDSHIELDS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. IF THERE IS AN ISSUE OF DEFECTIVE SUBARU WINDSHIELDS, THEN SUBARU SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD.
Other or unspecified, Mar 21, 2021
I SEEN THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST SUBARU REGARDING THE VEHICLES EYESIGHT SYSTEM AND THE WINDSHIELD. WE NOTICED A CRACK THAT HAD SEEMINGLY COME OUT OF NOWHERE. IT HAS TO OF HAPPENED WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. I WAS LOOKING INTO REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD MYSELF WHEN I STUMBLED ON THE ARTICLE. APPARENTLY MANY SUBARU OWNERS ARE DEALING WITH SPONTANEOUS CRACKING AND MY CRACK STARTED RIGHT IN THE AREA PERTAINING TO THE LAWSUIT.
Other or unspecified, Mar 16, 2021
I HAD MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED UP BY SMALL IMPACT OF FLYING ROCK OFF A TRUCK IN 2020. I GOT IT REPLACED AND CALIBRATED IN JULY 2020 THE PRICE WAS $1456. LUCKILYI BOUGHT A WINDSHIELD PROTECTION POLICY TO COVER IT. AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED UP(30 CM LONG) AGAIN YESTERDAY(MARCH,2021) DUE TO THE SAME REASON. I REALLY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THAT MUCH MONEY TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD( MY POLICY CAN ONLY PAY ABOUT $300).