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
600 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Mar 1, 2022
Battery dead not even 2 years old. Known problem they won't fix. Lane assist was pulling us into other traffic lanes when wasn't supposed to almost causing accidents and now won't turn on
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Mar 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle stalled and then went into sleep mode. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle also experienced failures with the electrical system. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was operating as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,300.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 22, 2022
I was driving in fine weather, in a smooth highway when a crack occurred in the windshield for no apparent reason. I initially thought a dust particle must have hit in the wrong place, but then was alerted to the fact that a windshield should not break for no apparent reason. I have owned cars for decades, and this is the first time that I have had a windshield crack, and in a nearly new car. It is a Forester 2020. I drove a Forester 2002 for nearly fifteen years with no issue ever. I have, upon research, found out that I am one of many people waiting for Subaru windshields for my same model, and that there is clearly a pattern that suggests an error in the making. I called Subaru of America and also my dealership and neither one seemed receptive to my concerns, nor showed any awareness of windshield issues. I did my own research after the glass company alerted me to the fact that there is a class action lawsuit for my very vehicle in process due to overwhelming problems with the windshields cracking for no apparent reason. I find this really concerning. Subaru markets itself for its all terrain vehicles, and while I only drive on roads and highways, they are vehicles supposedly designed to go through much rougher terrain. The problems with the windshields are a concerning safety alert for all the owners of these vehicles, and particularly for those who use them in a variety of terrains. I did find through my own research that there are indeed lawsuits currently in process for this very issue, and that prior models were already recalled as well.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 20, 2022
At the time,time, car was not fully 2 years old.. its brand new.This is an addition to a post created a week ago. After the dealership offered to detail the interior of the car to solve the sulferic acid feeling I noticed that the flap above the driving wheel started to feel warm. This happened right in the morning in February. I'm not sure if I am feeling an electrical voltage, smelling the exhaust or there's still sulferic acid in the car. Every once in awhile I my hair smells like oil.. Whatever it is it makes your head feel heavy. My toddler feels something because during a drive he will say " hot". This puts our safety at risk if we are smelling the exhaust or feeling voltage while driving in the car. Sometimes it smells like fuel I the trunk of the car or acidic
Electrical system, Feb 15, 2022
Battery draining requiring multiple charging.
Electrical system, Feb 14, 2022
The battery died after less than two years. There is a class action lawsuit related to recent Subarus draining batteries very quickly due to parasitic power drain because of a faulty electrical system. The 2020 Forester was included in the initial lawsuit, but this model was thrown out of the lawsuit by the judge since none of the plaintiffs owned a Forester. However, it is a known issue. Prematurely and unexpectedly dead batteries, as I experienced, can cause motorists to be stranded and face related hazards, as well as to incur unexpected costs. I spent more than $200 to replace my battery long before the minimum expected three-year battery life.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 11, 2022
I was driving from Gainesville Georgia to Stuart Florida and all of the sudden the windshield cracked from the top upper left corner to about 6 inches down. It continued to crack for about 18 inches or so within the next 24 hours. I only had the vehicle since September, 2020.
Electrical system, Feb 10, 2022
I bought my new 2020 Forester in November 2019. It now has 1604 miles on it. Twice already I've had to have it towed to the dealership because the battery was dead from just sitting in my driveway. The first time, February 2021, they said it was a bad battery. The second time, January 2022, they said it's because I don't drive the car enough. Said I have to drive or idle the car for at least 15 minutes twice per week which is a waste of gas and time for something that shouldn't happen to start with! There are already lawsuits about this constant battery drain but the 2020 Forester isn't included and it should be! There is NO reason for the battery to constantly drain to the point that the car won't start when the car is sitting with everything turned off!
Visibility/wiper, Feb 8, 2022
A cracked windshield - the second replacement windshield in two months - As in the case of the first replacement windshield, this second crack appeared as I was sitting in a parking space in a parking lot. No movement of my vehicle. I've spoken with representatives of the company which installed this windshield and this company claims no responsibility. This company is authorized by Subaru. I've spoken to the manager of the Subaru dealership from which I purchased the car. The dealership claims no responsibility. I am planning to write to Subaru's corporate offices.
Electrical system, Feb 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the radio system malfunctioned, which caused the blind-spot detection system, headlights, and instrument panel to fail to operate as needed. Additionally, the eyesight system would inadvertently engage, which caused the vehicle to stop without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle to correct the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and AutoNation Subaru Scottsdale (15678 N Northsight Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260) and diagnosed with radio software failure. The dealer replaced the radio on three separate occasions; however, the failure recurred. The dealer also reconnected the eyesight system and resolved the eyesight system failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 7, 2022
My windshield cracked by itself overnight while the car was parking with no signs of any trauma to it. searching online there are multiple cases reported same problem i definitely believe there is a manufacturers defect with these windshields
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Feb 6, 2022
10/2021: The vehicle completely shut-off at the beginning of a turnabout in front of the fire department. Per nearby pedestrians, automobile owners, employees of the fire department and AAA driver, the start/stop battery or alternator malfunctioned. The vehicle only had 51k miles. This was a new vehicle purchase in 2019. The safety of my toddler and I were at risk as soon as we entered the beginning of a turnabout. I had reported several safety issues from tires, brakes, burning feelings on my skin , my jaw locking up and seatbelt malfunctioning for nearly 1.5 years. Each time I was told they could not replicate the issue. occurred. Problems occurred at the 1st oil change at 5-6k miles. When the car completey shut-off I tried turning the car on and all the dashboard lights came on and I was able to roll my toddlers window down. The car shut off again and when I turned the ignition on the wheel became stuck along with the ignition. I turned the emergency/Caution lights on and thought that would provide us safety from other cars colliding into us. I noticed cars would wait directly behind me and then honk their horn if I did not drive-off. Nearby pedestrians walked by and mentioned the emergency/caution lights were not flashing. I told them to look at my dashboard because they are flashing. The nearby dealership inspected the car and determined the start/stop battery was bad. The corporate office decided to pay for the labor, parts and car rental fees -as a goodwill gesture. 2/2022: 3-4 months has gone by and now there is an acidic feeling on the driver's side stemming from the front and back and even the wheel - when the car is turned on and it lingers when you turn the car off. I even placed a lime and orange I the car for an acidity test as expected it both reacted to the acidity from the car. Makes it hard to talk in the car, vision gets blurry and its almost like you have COVID-19 symptoms but you don't really have it.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 5, 2022
Entered car d2 after after an ice storm to find Passenger side Windshield cracked from left edge crossing over drivers view.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 29, 2022
my windshield has an edge crack starting yesterday. Rapidly, it has grown to 7~10 inches and it's still happening even when i'm not driving. I have not observed any obvious reasons for this to happen and it's now start impacting the front side visibility during driving.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 18, 2022
Frequent battery dying problem in 2020 Subaru Forester from Grayson Subaru, Knoxville, TN I am a 67 year old woman who does much scientific research in remote places alone at night. During the day, I manage 3 farms 100 miles apart. I am constantly opening and closing gates, getting out briefly to check livestock and fix fences. If my keys are left in the ignition even briefly, as I get in an out for small tasks, the car battery is dead. Other times it is simply dead for no reason at all. In my over 50 years of driving all sorts of cars and trucks, I have never had this problem. I have had constant problems with this car battery dying in as little as 5 minutes after driving 50 miles. I have brought this problem to Grayson Subaru’s attention and spent hours waiting as they checked for problems. They never find anything. I have made numerous calls. They assure me this is “normal”. This is NOT normal. Not in my over 50 years of driving cars. I am forced to carry a car booster with me at all times. This is a TERRIBLE situation for a car which typically is owned by people who often camp, are doing sports in remote places or need a small rugged car for farm work or field research or outdoor activities. Here are just a few times I have contacted Grayson Subaru over this problem. I have had dead battery many more times than this (just in past 2 weeks Jan 5, 10 and 14, 2022), but have had to jump it off because I was in a dangerous. I bought the car in Sept 2021 from Grayson as a new car: Calls and visits to Grayson over the battery problem. Jan 22, 2021; August 11, 2021; Aug 23, 2021; Aug 24, 2021; Oct 5, 2021; Nov 17, 2021; Jan 11, 2022. I do not want to invoke the Tennessee Lemon Law (T.C.A. 55-24-101 to T.C.A. 55-24-112), but I also cannot continue to drive such an unreliable car. I see there is a “battery drain" lawsuit for 2020 Subaru Foresters. I believe this car has the same problem. What do I do?
Other or unspecified, Jan 5, 2022
Front windshield developed a 12 inch stress fracture with no invisible sign it was due to a rock chip. The crack first appear below the windshield wiper in the center.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 5, 2022
The windshield on our 2020 Subaru Forester recently cracked, with no warning or obvious reasons for it to crack. When we began to try to repair it, we realized that because of the Eyesight technology connected to it, it would be a more expensive and complex replacement. We also found out that this was a common problem with this make and model, and that there had been other complaints about it. We are still trying to make an appointment to fix it, but the crack has grown longer and seems more dangerous now
Other or unspecified, Jan 4, 2022
Windshield cracked
Visibility, Jan 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, a crack had formed on her windshield obstructing her vision. All cracks to the windshield had formed after minor or no impact. The first crack was detected upon the entrance of the vehicle on the lower driver-side corner; the crack had spread from one edge to another. The second crack had formed while the contact was driving at 65 MPH when a pebble struck the passenger’s side windshield at eye level. The crack initially started off as a chip and then formed into a spider web within seconds; the crack then spread horizontally across the windshield within days. The third crack formed without incident on the top edge of the passenger’s side windshield; the crack had formed into a J-like shape right underneath the rear-view mirror. The contact had taken the vehicle to the same dealer for each windshield repair; the repair for the latest failure was not yet performed. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
Air bags, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 31, 2021, crash
Driver gets choked while drinking a cold beverage, gets disoriented and loses consciousness momentarily causing the vehicle to veer off the street and strike a tree with extensive front end damage. Airbags did not deploy at all. Driver has injuries from the crash, such as possible fractured wrist, contusions and much pain in the neck, chest and back areas. She was transported by EMS to the hospital. Insurance was notified and an adjuster has already sent a repair appraisal and cut a check for the estimated cost of repairs. The driver does not feel comfortable about the having the car repaired with potentially faulty airbags. We have photos of the car. We have stated our concerns about this to the insurance company and the vehicle manufacturer. They have opened a file with our concerns and we are waiting to learn further from the insurance provider and the car maker. My wife has numerous injuries and does not feel secure keeping this car. A police report is filed and I have also made an initial request to a consult with an attorney.
Electrical system, Dec 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the battery drained quickly, and the vehicle had to be jumpstarted after three days. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 28, 2021
The windshield has spontaneously developed a crack that begins at the bottom center edge and has advanced about 18 inches at this point, and is visibly advancing daily.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 28, 2021
The windshield has a crack that has grown exponentially. It seems to be very susceptible to impact cracks and chips.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 28, 2021
Liftgate open for tailgating party. Battery drained despite NO lights being on at all. This should NOT happen. Left me (50yo woman) and 3 kids stranded in a very bad part of town.
Other or unspecified, Dec 23, 2021
Windshield on NEW car has cracked (for no apparent reason) two times within one year of purchase. Subaru has denied defects in each instance.