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, Mar 13, 2021
OUT OF NOWHERE, THE WINDSHIELD HAS A CRACK THAT STARTED AT THE TOP AND IS SPREADING DOWN. THERE IS NO CHIP THAT STARTED THIS. WE HAVE 2 NEWER SUBARUS AND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH CARS WITHIN A MONTH. THERE IS NOTHING THAT WE KNOW OF THAT CAUSED THIS. ONLINE WE ARE SEEING THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH NEWER SUBARUS AND WINDSHIELDS CRACKING.
Other or unspecified, Mar 6, 2021
I PURCHASED MY 2020 SUBARU FORESTER IN 6/2020, AND BY 2/2021 THE WINDSHIELD HAD CHIPPED. I WENT TO GET IT FIXED, AND IT JUST CRACKED EVEN MORE, ACCORDING TO THE GLASS TECH AT SAFELITE. I WAS TOLD THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING VERY FREQUENTLY WITH MODERN SUBARUS AND TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I DIDN'T NOTICE THE INITIAL DAMAGE UNTIL THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Mar 3, 2021
I BOUGHT THIS CAR 2 WEEKS AGO WITH 1,950 MILES AND MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITH NO REASON. I DON'T KNOW WHY OR HOW THAT HAPPENED. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR FIRST BECAUSE I HAVE A BROKEN WINDSHIELD AND SECOND BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THAT WINDSHIELD IS WEAK OR LACKING OF SAFETY.
Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2021
THE FUEL FILL UP ARROW POINTS TO THE WRONG SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, IT POINTS LEFT, THE FILL UP IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE
Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2021
MY CAR WAS A COUPLE MONTHS OLD. I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND A ROCK GLANCED OFF MY WINDSHIELD. IT CRACKED IT. BASED ON THE SIZE OF THE ROCK, IT WAS SMALL, THE WINDSHIELD SEEMS VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKING. MY PREVIOUS CAR THAT I HAD FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS ENCOUNTERED MUCH LARGER STONES AND I NEVER HAD A WINDSHIELD CRACK ON ME. THE REPAIR WAS OVER $1,500. IT SEEMS LIKE QUITE THE MONEY GRAB BY SUBARU.
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2021
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A 6 INCH VERTICAL CRACK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THE TIME AND THERE WAS NO KNOWN CAUSE OF THE CRACK. THE CRACK DEVELOPED SPONTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ANY OBJECT STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK THEN ENLARGED ON ITS OWN AS IT WAS BEING DRIVEN HOME.
Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED EASILY. WHILE DRIVING ON A MAINTAINED CITY STREET, I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE VERY SMALL ROCK OR PIECE OF DEBRIS HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND IMMEDIATELY A 2 FOOT CRACK APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD EXTENDING FROM THE UPPER AND OUTER EDGE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE ACROSS TOWARDS THE MIDDLE. I WAS DISTANCED BEHIND A COMPACT SUV. FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE NO INITIAL DAMAGE POINT WAS VISIBLE, ONLY THE CRACK. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, I FOUND A SHALLOW PEN POINT SIZE DIVOT ON THE CRACK NEAR THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 26, 2021
HELLO, I OWN A SUBARU FORESTER SPORT 2020 AND I HAVE THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW IMPLODE WITHOUT ANY REASON. THE CAR WAS PARKED ALONE FOR LESS THAN ONE HOUR AND I CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE TO USE IT AND THE WINDOW WAS IN A MILLION LITTLE PIECES WITH NO SIGN OF ENTRY OR ANY OBJECT TO SUGGEST THAT IT WAS AN ACT OF VANDALISM. THE POLICE CAME AND DID A THROUGH-ROUGH INVESTIGATION AND COULD NOT FIND A MOTIVE OR REASON. AT THE END IT WAS ASSIGNED AS VANDALISM. HOWEVER, AFTER FURTHER SEARCHING ONLINE, THERE IS A PENDING LAWSUIT CHRISTINE POWELL VS. SUBARU OF AMERICA DUE TO THIS REASON WHICH IS WINDOWS AND WINDSHIELDS CRACKING OR IMPLODING WITHOUT ANY REASON. SUBARU IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AND EVEN ASKED THE LAWSUIT TO BE DISMISSED. THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINS KEEPS INCREASING AND INSURANCE COMPANIES AND OWNERS HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL TO GET EQUALLY BAD REPLACEMENT WINDOWS. I AM DEEPLY CONCERN FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE CAR AND ALSO MY SAFETY AND THAT OF MY PASSENGERS.*DT CONSUMER STATED MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PAY $100.00 DEDUCTABLE.*JB
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 21, 2021
COMPLAINT NUMBER 11386410 WINDSHIELD REPLACED NOTED ON RECEIPT 'BROKEN DUE TO STRESS CRACK/DEFECT IN GLASS. NOTHING FROM THE ROAF HIT THE GLASS'
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 4, 2021
ON 12/25/20 WE FOUND A CRACK ON OUR WINDSHIELD FROM THE ROOF OF THE CAR TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD IN THE CENTER FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. WE ARE CURRENTLY VACATIONING IN WESTERN NC AND THE WEATHER HAS BEEN VERY COLD. WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND NO OBJECT HAS HIT THE VEHICLE. WE WERE REASSURED BY THE SUBARU DEALER IT WAS NOT DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. WE CALLED OUR AAA AUTO INSURANCE TO SCHEDULE A REPLACEMENT/RECALIBRATION AT NO COST. CLAIM # CLM00560639. WE ALSO NOTIFIED TRONCALLI SUBARU IN CUMMING, GA FOR REPAIRS THEY ARE CHARGING >$1100. THE NEAREST SAFELITE AUTO GLASS IS 2.5 HRS AWAY IN UNION CITY, GA. WE HAVE A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT ON 1/8/21. WE ARE VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE CRACKING OF THE WINDSHIELD AND ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. WE DID NOT EXPECT THE GLASS TO CRACK ON ITS OWN. AS OF TODAY 1/3/21 THE CRACK HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY. THE SUBARU WAS PURCHASED ON 3/13/2020 AT DON MEALEY SPORT AT ORLANDO, FLA. WE WOULD APPRECIATE A QUICK RESPONSE TO OUR CLAIM.
Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2021
I PURCHASED A 2020 FORESTER ON 7/11/20 AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD 3955 MILES ON IT AND HAD BEEN USED AS A LOANER BY THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER COMPLETING THE PAPERWORK AND FINALIZING THE SALE, THE SALESPERSON ACCOMPANIED ME TO THE VEHICLE TO EXPLAIN SOME OF THE FEATURES. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, I DISCOVERED A CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD, EVEN THOUGH THE CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE INSPECTION CHECKLIST INDICATED THE WINDSHIELD HAD BEEN CHECKED AND THERE WERE NO CHIPS OR CRACKS. THE SALESPERSON ARRANGED AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK FOR A REPAIR TO THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED, THE CHIP WAS STILL OBVIOUS. GIVEN THE CURRENT LAWSUIT CONCERNING SUBARU WINDSHIELD ISSUES, I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CHIP MAY WORSEN.
Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2021
I PURCHASED A 2020 SUBARU FORESTER ON 7/11/20. THE VEHICLE HAD 3955 MILES ON IT AS IT HAD BEEN USED AS A LOANER BY THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER THE PAPERWORK HAD BEEN COMPLETE, THE SALESPERSON WENT TO THE VEHICLE WITH ME TO EXPLAIN SOME OF THE FEATURES. AT THIS POINT, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, I NOTICED A CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD ON THE LOWER LEFT SIDE. I REPORTED IT TO THE SALESPERSON WHO SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK FOR A REPAIR. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED, THE CHIP WAS STILL OBVIOUS. THE CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE INSPECTION CHECKLIST INDICATES NO CHIPS/CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD (FALSE INFORMATION). I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CHIP WILL BECOME LARGER, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE CURRENT LAWSUIT REGARDING SUBARU VEHICLES WHICH INCLUDES MY FORESTER.
Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2021
A STONE HIT THE WINDSHIELD - PASSENGER SIDE ( COLORED GLASS) THICKEST PART . I WATCHED IT CRACK IN HALF ALL THE WAY TO THE CENTER OF THE CAR- IMMEDIATELY. I WAS 1.5 MILES FROM THE SUBARU DEALER .SO I WENT STRAIGHT THERE , I HAVE HAD PLENTY OF STONE HITS , NEVER LIKE THIS - THEY HAVE ALWAYS JUST MADE A PIT , THAT COULD BE FIXED .I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR JUST 3 WEEKS BEFORE. THIS HAPPENED
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2021
ONE DAY I LOOKED UP AT MY WINDSHIELD AND THERE IS A SCRATCH/CRACK VISIBLE ON THE INSIDE. NOTHING HIT IT.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 2, 2021
VEHICLE WAS DRIVING NEXT TO AN RV ON THE FREEWAY. RV KICKED UP SMALL DEBRIS ONTO WINDSHIELD. WINDSHIELD IMMEDIATELY HAD ABOUT 16 INCH CRACK.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Dec 12, 2020
WE HAVE HAD OUR 2020 FORESTER FOR 5 MONTHS. COMING HOME FROM A DRIVE TO THE GROCERY STORE, WE NOTICED A TINY CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN WE PULLED INTO OUR GARAGE. THERE WAS NO DEBRIS ON THE ROADWAY. WE LOOKED ONLINE AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WHERE A TINY CRACK DEVELOPS FROM A ROCK OR OTHER SMALL DEBRIS AND THEN WITHIN A DAY OR TWO THERE IS A TWO TO THREE FOOT CRACK ACROSS THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD. WE HAVE DRIVEN OTHER VEHICLES FOR YEARS WITHOUT A TINY PIECE OF DEBRIS CAUSING SO MUCH DAMAGE. THERE IS CLEARLY A FLAW IN HOW THE WINDSHIELDS ARE DEVELOPED (PROBABLY TO SELL THEIR EXPENSIVE WINDSHIELD WARRANTY PLANS). AS THERE IS A POINT OF IMPACT I'M SURE IT WON'T BE COVERED BY ANY OF OUR MANUFACTURER WARRANTIES. THE WHOLE ISSUE THOUGH IS THE LACK OF VISIBLE DEBRIS DURING OUR DRIVE--LITERALLY IT HAD TO HAVE BEEN SOMETHING SMALLER THAN A PEA. IT IS RIDICULOUS TO THINK THAT SUCH A SMALL IMPACT WOULD CAUSE THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD TO FRACTURE. AGAIN, WE HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH DEBRIS WITH OTHER BRANDS IN THE PAST, AND A SMALL IMPACT DID NOT CRACK THE WINDSHIELD AT ALL. WE DID NOT NOTICE THE CRACK UNTIL WE GOT HOME, BUT IT LIKELY OCCURRED WHILE IN MOTION. WE WERE ON A HIGHWAY, BUT NOT A HIGH MPH STRETCH. WE WERE ONLY COMING BACK FROM A COUPLE MILES AWAY FROM OUR HOME, WHERE THE VEHICLE SITS IN THE GARAGE 100% OF THE TIME IT IS NOT BEING DRIVEN.
Other or unspecified, Dec 3, 2020
WINDSHIELD ISSUE - ON 10/24/20 DISCOVERED APPROX. 2 FT. CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD OF OUR 2020 SUBARU FORRESTER. NO IDEA WHEN CRACK ACTUALLY HAPPENED. NO OBVIOUS DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD STUCK THE WINDSHIELD WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. CAR STAYS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE UNLESS IT'S BEING DRIVEN. CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW ON 9/26/20 AND HAD APPROX.1000 MILES ON ODOMETER WHEN THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. WE ASSUMED IT WAS A WARRANTY ISSUE AND TOOK TO DEALER LATER THAT WEEK. THEY IMMEDIATELY TOLD US A ROCK MUST HAVE HIT IT AND WE HAD TO GET IT FIXED - NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. UNFORTUNATELY THE CRACK IS GETTING LARGER, SO WE HAVE APPT. TO GET WINDSHIELD REPLACED AND PAY $500 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE. CAN SCAN AND SEND INSURANCE/INVOICE PAPERWORK ONCE REPAIR IS COMPLETE IF NEEDED.
Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2020
CRACKED WINDSHIELD
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Nov 11, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WITHIN THE FIRST 30 DAYS OF PURCHASING MY BRAND NEW 2020 SUBARU FORESTER WITH NOTHING IMPACTING IT. I WAS DRIVING WITH NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD, MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ON A WELL PAVED ROAD ON A ROUTE I HAVE DRIVEN FOR YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS. NOW THERE IS A LARGE BREAK IN GLASS RUNNING ACROSS THE MIDDLE OF MY WINDSHIELD. I EVEN TOOK IT TO SUBARU AND A SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID HE COULD NOT FIND A PLACE OF IMPACT. WHEN I MAKE A TURN NOW I CAN HEAR THE GLASS BEING STRESSED FROM THE TURN.
Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2020
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED ON THE CITY STREET IN TWIN FALLS, IDAHO. THE NEXT MORNING HAD A LARGE CRACK ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE NOT BEEN USING THE HEATER BUT HAVE BEEN USING THE HEATED DRIVER SEAT.
Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2020
MY SUBARU FORESTER 2020 ALL OF A SUDDEN HAD A BIG CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD STARTING FROM THE TOP EDGE TO THE MIDDLE. VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE STREET FOR 5 DAYS. NO PRIOR DENT ON IT OR CRACK. I CALLED SUBARU AND ONE OF THE STAFF HAD MENTIONED THEY HAVE A THIN WINDOW MATERIAL DUE TO THE DRIVER ASSIST SYSTEM. I'VE HAD MY SCION TC 2007 WHICH GOT HIT WITH MANY THINGS AND NEVER RECEIVED THIS TYPE OF CRACK ON THE WINDOW. I NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDOW AND I ALWAYS PARK OUTSIDE IN A HOT LOS ANGELES WEATHER. I NOW LIVE IN THE BAY AREA AND IT IS COLDER HERE. HOPING TO HAVE THIS REPLACED BY SUBARU AS PART OF A DEFECT.
Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2020
I HAVE HAD MY SUBARU FORESTER 2020 FOR ONLY 8 MONTHS AND THERE IS ALREADY A CRACK ON MY WINDSHIELD FROM A SMALL ROCK HITTING MY WINDSHIELD. THE ROCK WAS TINY AND IT CREATED A 18IN CRACK ON MY WINDSHIELD.
Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2020
WE LEASED THIS CAR FEB 28, 2020. TWO MONTHS LATER WHEN TRAVELING AT 60 MPH WE NOTICED A STAR-SHAPED CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD WITH NOTHING APPARENTLY HITTING IT. THE WINDSHIELD THEN CRACKED. LESS THAN 3,000 MILES ON THE CAR. WE HAD THE WINDSHILED REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE. LAST WEEK WHEN TRAVELING 70 MPH A STAR-SHAPED CRACK APPEARED AFTER NOTHING HITTING IT. THE CRACK THEN EXPANDED TWO DIFFERENT TIMES.
Other or unspecified, Jul 1, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AFTER ONLY 10 DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE,THE SMALLEST ROCK YOU CAN SEE WITH YOUR EYES HIT ON THE LEFT DOWN DRIVER CORNER AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT THE SAME PLACE WITH VERY UNRECOGNIZABLE CRACK.AFTER JUST 5 MINUTES THE CRACK WENT ALL THE WAY TO HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 17, 2020
ON JUNE 16TH, 2020 MY VEHICLE WAS STRAIGHT IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. RANDOMLY, A CRACK APPEARED ON THE DRIVER SIDE PART OF THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THIS, BUT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT GIVE ME COVERAGE FOR THIS INCIDENT. *TR