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.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 7, 2021
My front windshield cracked without having an object hit it. I had it inspected and repaired by satellite auto glass per my warranty. I was made to pay eyesight calibration out of pocket.
Visibility, Jul 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while approaching the vehicle, he noticed that the front windshield was cracked on the center driver’s side. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,566.
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
Visibility/wiper, Jun 29, 2021
Windshield cracked within 1year of owning the vehicle while driving along the freeway.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 26, 2021
Windshield randomly has a long crack in it. Zero signs of any initial rock impact or chip that would of caused it. I parked it at work with no cracks or anything on the windshield. Then came to my car after work and there was long crack. No signs of impacts.
Visibility, Jun 24, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that upon entering her vehicle, she noticed that a crack had formed on the bottom passenger side of the windshield without incident. Over time, the crack had spread to the driver's side of the windshield which obstructed her vision while driving. The contact was informed by the dealer that her vehicle would not be covered under warranty and that there were no recalls on her vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The windshield had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000. The VIN was not available.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 22, 2021
I received a small chip on my windshield that overnight has developed into several cracks that span the entire windshield. What should have been fixable by a professional windshield repair service will require the entire windshield to be replaced and eyesight system will need to be recalibrated.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 20, 2021
Windshield crack from unknown source, crack expanded while technician tried to repair. Required complete windshield replacement .
Tires, Jun 20, 2021
February 2020 both rear and front driver side tires (manufacturer provided) ripped potentially after hitting pothole. Dealership replaced 2 tires. November 2020 tire started a slow leak (in 5-7 days)- dealership fixed per manufacturer recommendations, leak continued at a lower pace (in 3-4 weeks)
Visibility/wiper, Jun 8, 2021
On June 4, 2021 me and my famliy went for a 3 days road trip from Cirlce Pines Minnesota going to Duluth MN . The drive was approximately 2hrs plus. 12 mins. before we reached our destination the windshield suddenly showed a crack about 12 inches out from no where and blocks my visibility while driving. I went to my car dealer on 6/8/21 at Morries Subaru brooklyn park and asked for a replacement warranty but they denied it. 2020 forester windshields is so Dangerous because even a small rock will make it crack and blocks clear visibility while driving. This is happening to more and more subaru cars with eyesight technology. NHTSA should investigate if there is manufacturing defect or engineering defect with this windshield for a safer road and driving experience. I have a dashcam video of the said incident. I am more willing to submit it for your reference.
Visibility, Jun 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked inside the garage, when he noticed there was a crack on the windshield. There was no impact to the windshield that could have caused the crack. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000.
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.
Visibility, Jun 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, she noticed a crack starting to form at the center bottom of the windshield and continued to expand up the windshield. The contact stated the crack was not caused by an impact. The contact called and made the local dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
Electrical system, Jun 4, 2021
Battery is completely drained and I was unable to commute. Vehicle picked by Subaru roadside assistance to nearest dealer (Victor Subaru)
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.
Visibility/wiper, May 31, 2021
Windshield cracks spontaneously. Driving on well maintained roads and brand new car has windshield damage that shows abnormal cracks with no or unknown cause or normal road conditions.
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.
Visibility, May 26, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that there was a small chip present on the front windshield. Overnight, a large crack had developed on the windshield. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000.
Visibility, May 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the windshield was cracked at the bottom of the windshield near the windshield wipers. The crack started to expand upwards. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that a special recall for the failure had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000.
Visibility/wiper, May 22, 2021
Windshield cracked for no reason
Other or unspecified, May 20, 2021
Windshield cracked without any impact from an object
Forward collision avoidance, May 20, 2021
Subaru eyesight technology has a pre collision feature along with lane departure feature. Latter can be turned off permanently, the pre-collision feature cannot. Number of instances where this has malfunctioned in a way that is unsafe. Driving in upstate NY on foggy morning, winding hilly roads, 50mph roads. Road had a driveway with a parked car not moving, parked and the pre collision system tried to break, so slowed down the car but there was another coming behind from a hilly turn, not aware I would suddenly slow, especially as I did not anticipate the car would try to put on breaks on its own for a parked unmoving car. No collision resulted fortunately, but unsafe if the car behind had not been able to slow to accomodate for the faulty detection by subaru’s eyesight, thinking the parked unmoving car was a sudden stopping vehicle in front of me, when the winding road was actually clear for me to continue driving. Another incident on another road where a series of 4-5 cars driving constant speed, fixed distance from each other, then first car signalled to turn right and stopped; cars behind just went around them slightly as they were waiting to turn, and I was going to follow suit, the train of cars in front of me, when suddenly eyesight pre collision detected that turning vehicle as something to try to brake for, and the car behind me did not expect the sudden breaking attempt to slow down, and again, close call, no collision resulted but unsafe when the human driver was expecting to continue along with the other train of cars and not expecting a sudden stop. I have called subaru both dealership and main office but informed there is no way to permanently disable the pre collision setting in the car. Concerned that if this feature is on, and erroneously detects an object in front, such as that parked unmoving car, in other situations the cars behind me may not be able to accomodate the attempts at sudden breaking by the subaru eyesight technology. Dangerous.
Visibility/wiper, May 18, 2021
Driving at low speed heard a slight noise. Didn’t see any damage but the windshield cracked. Within about 2 minutes the crack spread approximately 3 inches. Within another couple minutes the crack extended vertically and then turned horizontally running another 10 inches. I have never had a crack occur and extend in this matter. Replacement and calibration of Isight technology according to satellite and the dealer costs are around 1900 dollars.