Complaints
791
Crashes
44
Fires
11
Injuries
35
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2020 Subaru Forester Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1252 complaints
Wipers & Visibility
Avg mileage:5,527 mi
#294 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:11,370 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#370 complaints
Engine Problems
Avg mileage:24,748 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:3
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2020 Subaru Forester.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wipers & Visibility | 252 | — | — | 5,527 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 94 | 1 | 1 | 11,370 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 70 | 2 | 3 | 24,748 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 46 | — | — | 19,222 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 30 | 1 | — | 2,673 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 26 | 4 | 1 | 10,142 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 21 | 9 | — | 21,731 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 18 | — | — | 4,750 mi | |
| Brakes | 13 | 5 | 1 | 9,158 mi | |
| Body Structure | 13 | 1 | — | 6,109 mi | |
| Fuel System | 11 | 2 | 2 | 24,000 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 11 | 3 | — | 9,168 mi | |
| Airbags | 10 | 5 | — | 6,050 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 10 | — | — | 3,500 mi | |
| Lane Departure: Assist | 10 | — | — | 10,348 mi | |
| Lane Departure: Warning | 10 | 1 | — | 5,966 mi | |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | 5 | — | — | 70 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hood | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — |
Wipers & Visibility
252
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
5,527
Electrical Faults
94
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
11,370
Engine Problems
70
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
3
Avg Miles
24,748
Visibility:Windshield
46
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
19,222
Transmission / Drivetrain
30
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
2,673
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
26
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
10,142
Unintended Acceleration
21
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
—
Avg Miles
21,731
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
4,750
Brakes
13
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Avg Miles
9,158
Body Structure
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
6,109
Fuel System
11
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
24,000
Steering Defects
11
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
9,168
Airbags
10
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
6,050
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
3,500
Lane Departure: Assist
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
10,348
Lane Departure: Warning
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
5,966
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hood
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Subaru Forester Years
2020 Subaru Forester — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2020 Subaru Forester reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2020 Subaru Forester has 791 NHTSA complaints, 44 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Wipers & Visibility with 252 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2020 Subaru Forester?
Top reported problems: Wipers & Visibility (252 complaints, avg 5,527 mi); Electrical Faults (94 complaints, avg 11,370 mi); Engine Problems (70 complaints, avg 24,748 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2020 Subaru Forester?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 10,440 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2020 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Subaru Forester include 44 crash-related reports, 11 fire reports, 35 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2020 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2020 Subaru Forester as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2020 Subaru Forester?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (wipers & visibility) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2020 Subaru Forester
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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