2020 SUBARU FORESTER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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5/5

★★★★★

Safety Rating

784

Owner Complaints

44 Crashes 11 Fires

0

Recalls

NO ACTIVE RECALLS

42

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2020 SUBARU FORESTER

The 2020 SUBARU FORESTER has received a total of 784 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. 42 technical service bulletins have been issued by Subaru of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Visibilitywiper (252 complaints), Unknown Or Other (102 complaints), and Electrical System (91 complaints).

Recalls for the 2020 SUBARU FORESTER

There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2020 SUBARU FORESTER. No Active Recalls

Owner Complaints for the 2020 SUBARU FORESTER

784 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 SUBARU FORESTER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 252
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 102 4 Crashes 2 Fires
Electrical System
Complaints: 91 1 Crash 1 Fire 1 Injury
Engine
Complaints: 69 2 Crashes 3 Fires
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 46
Power Train
Complaints: 30 1 Crash
Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking
Complaints: 26 4 Crashes 1 Fire 7 Injuries
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 21 9 Crashes 7 Injuries
Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings
Complaints: 18
Structurebody
Complaints: 13 1 Crash
Service Brakes
Complaints: 12 5 Crashes 1 Fire 7 Injuries
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 11 2 Crashes 2 Fires 1 Injury
Steering
Complaints: 11 3 Crashes 2 Injuries
Air Bags
Complaints: 10 5 Crashes 5 Injuries
Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control
Complaints: 10
Lane Departure Assist
Complaints: 10
Lane Departure Warning
Complaints: 10 1 Crash
Lane Departure Blind Spot Detection
Complaints: 5
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 4
Seats
Complaints: 4 1 Injury
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 3
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 3 3 Crashes 2 Injuries
Visibility
Complaints: 3
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seat Belts
Complaints: 2
Structurebodyhood
Complaints: 2
Air Bagssensoroccupant Classificationfront Passenger
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Fire
Back Over Prevention Rearview System Braking
Complaints: 1
Chest Clip Buckle Harness
Complaints: 1
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemadas
Complaints: 1
Forward Collision Avoidance
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkageselectronic Locklatch Actuator
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkageshatchbackliftgatelock
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch
Complaints: 1
Parking Brake
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seat Belts Rearotherbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Tires
Complaints: 1
Tiresvalve
Complaints: 1
Wheels
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11719471 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles
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 harness for $6000. Makes me wonder why a safety issue like this one seen in other Subaru’s have been recalled but not my model… Also the start stop feature drains the battery excessively. I have had to replace the battery twice in less than a year. I push the button to stop this feature the minute I get into the car.
#11719471 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
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 harness for $6000. Makes me wonder why a safety issue like this one seen in other Subaru’s have been recalled but not my model… Also the start stop feature drains the battery excessively. I have had to replace the battery twice in less than a year. I push the button to stop this feature the minute I get into the car.
#11719471 | SEAT BELTS | | N/A miles
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 harness for $6000. Makes me wonder why a safety issue like this one seen in other Subaru’s have been recalled but not my model… Also the start stop feature drains the battery excessively. I have had to replace the battery twice in less than a year. I push the button to stop this feature the minute I get into the car.
#11707836 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
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 lost the ability to accelerate out of danger. No crash occurred and there were no injuries. There were no warning lamps, warning messages, check engine light, or limp mode before, during, or after the stall event. The vehicle later experienced catastrophic engine failure, also without any warning indicators. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Subaru dealership. The dealership confirmed the failure and diagnosed crankshaft bearing failure on cylinder 3, and recommended short block replacement along with related engine component replacement (including cam phasers and gaskets/seals). The engine/vehicle remains available for inspection upon request. Manufacturer has been notified through Subaru of America Customer Advocacy. Subaru has offered partial goodwill assistance but has declined further escalation or full remedy. Note: I have video of this showing no engine lights however unable to upload it below. Can send via email if required. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
#11706366 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | | N/A miles
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 show me they have their low beams on. It needs to be illegal for manufacturers of cars and/or headlights to manufacture low beams with these dangerous settings. I didn’t know I could file a complaint with this department until a week ago otherwise I would have done it in 2020

View all Visibilitywiper complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2020 SUBARU FORESTER

The 2020 SUBARU FORESTER received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Test Category Rating
Overall Rating ★★★★★ (5/5)
Frontal Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Side Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Rollover ★★★★ (4/5)

Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2020 SUBARU FORESTER

Subaru of America, Inc. has issued 42 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2020 SUBARU FORESTER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

12-265-25 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin announces design changes made to the Power Rear Gate Drive (PRG) Unit to address concerns of the power rear gate being inoperative.

12-265-25 — STRUCTURE:BODY

This bulletin announces design changes made to the Power Rear Gate Drive (PRG) Unit to address concerns of the power rear gate being inoperative.

WQQ-52R — SUSPENSION

Due to incomplete repair instructions previously provided in the WQK-47 recall bulletin, the WQQ-52 recall will involve applying additional anti-corrosion material to the four-way (2-2 way) joint connector area of the brake line system on Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles previously repaired under the WQK-47 (14V-311) brake line corrosion...

09-122-24R — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This bulletin the announces diagnostic procedures and availability of new Engine Control Module (ECM) reprogramming files to address DTC P2404 (Evap System Leak Detection Pump Sense Circuit Range/Performance) detection.

SubaruNet Announcement — VISIBILITY/WIPER

This announcement is in regard to settlement in a class action lawsuit for vehicles that will receive a limited warranty extension for original equipment Subaru windshields experiencing a qualifying crack.

09-122-24 — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This bulletin the announces diagnostic procedures and availability of new Engine Control Module (ECM) reprogramming files to address DTC P2404 (Evap System Leak Detection Pump Sense Circuit Range/Performance) detection.

09-119-24 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This bulletin announces the extended warranty coverage for the Thermo Control valve (TCV) used the the models listed. The coverage will be extended to (15) fifteen years / 150,000 miles.

16-147-24 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin addresses limited cases of engine speed drop when the engine is restarted with the auto start/stop function. Updated software available for the Transmission Control Module (TCM), will optimize the engine cranking speed monitoring program of the TCM.

09-113-23 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

This bulletin announces diagnostic procedures and availability of new Engine Control Module (ECM) reprogramming files to address DTC P2404 (Evap System Leak Detection Pump Sense Circuit Range/Performance) detection.

12-251-23 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

This bulletin announces the initialization service procedures to be followed when diagnosing and/or repairing Power Rear Gate (PRG) systems.

Showing 10 of 42 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2020 SUBARU FORESTER

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the SUBARU FORESTER

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Other SUBARU Models

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