2020 SUBARU Forester
Recalls, Specs & Safety Report
The 2020 Subaru Forester stands out with its impeccable reliability, boasting no recalls and only a modest number of complaints. While the Technical Service Bulletins indicate occasional electrical and engine diagnostics, these are not uncommon in modern vehicles and should be closely monitored.
Why This Matters
In an automotive landscape where recalls often mar a brand’s reputation, the Subaru Forester's clean slate is a commendable feat within the compact SUV segment. This indicates not only stringent manufacturing processes but also an unwavering commitment to safety that resonates with discerning buyers seeking both performance and peace of mind. As competition intensifies among automotive manufacturers, a lack of defects can solidify customer trust and loyalty, essential factors for long-term brand success.
Expert Analysis
The year-over-year safety trend for Subaru has generally been positive, positioning the Forester as a reliable choice in its category. This vehicle's overall risk profile is better than expected given the current trends in the automotive market, marked by frequent recalls that plague many rivals.
Safety & Reliability Score
Score Breakdown
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2020 SUBARU Forester
Safety History Timeline
Consumer Complaint Analysis
Most Reported Issue
Complaint Trend
Safety Incidents
Complaint Severity Distribution
Breakdown of 100 consumer complaints by severity level.
Mileage Failure Analysis
With a peak failure range identified between 20k to 40k miles, current owners should be vigilant as they approach this mileage threshold to ensure all systems are performing optimally. The average failure mileage of 48,636 suggests typical wear may present itself around mid-life for the vehicle, emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance checks to mitigate potential issues.
🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
Risk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
General Electrical
Issue: Potential diagnostic inconsistencies related to engine control modules.
Stay alert for any warning lights or error codes and consult TSBs regarding diagnostic procedures if issues arise.
Inquire about any previous electrical diagnostics performed or software updates applied during servicing.
No Recalls Found
Clean Safety Record Verified
2020 SUBARU Forester
Safety Milestone: The 2020 SUBARU Forester maintains a perfect record. As of February 2026, there are 0 official recalls.
This distinction places it in the top tier of vehicle safety reliability for its model year.
🛡️ Proactive Safety Maintenance Guide
Even with a perfect recall record, regular maintenance safeguards your vehicle's reliability. Our experts recommend monitoring these systems:
No active investigations for this vehicle.
Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2020 Forester.
Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis
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
While driving on public roads, all dash warning lights illuminated simultaneously. The instrument cluster displayed “EyeSight OFF.” At the same time, the electronic parking brake engaged / the vehicle would not accelerate and required me to stop and shift to Park. The only way to restore drivability was to turn the vehicle off and restart. This has occurred intermittently, including in traffic, creating a serious safety hazard for myself and surrounding drivers.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while his wife was stopped at a red traffic light in the middle lane and surrounded by other vehicles, the auto START/STOP system engaged; however, when the brake pedal was released, the vehicle failed to restart. After several attempts, the vehicle eventually restarted, allowing the driver to safely pull over. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a dead battery. The dealer advised the contact about turning off the auto START/STOP system. The battery had been marked as good on two separate occasions. The battery was replaced. The contact reached out to the manufacturer, who opened a case but confirmed there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,585.
Car frequently dies and won't want to start. Have changed the battery already. Will come to a stop and it will just randomly shut down. Have had to shift to park and restart the car. This is unsafe.
2020 Subaru Forester periodically will stall out at a light or stop sign in heavy traffic. It then takes several attempts to restart. (Sometimes completely dead) My mechanic hasI changed the battery and checked the alternator, all in working order. It’s hard to figure out what is wrong because it doesn’t happen all the time.
We were traveling in rural California, 1 hour north of Bishop, CA on [XXX] when our vehicle's "Check Engine" light, "Parking Break" light, and several other lights lit up on our dashboard. Our car began to stall out immediately. We were able to pull off to the side of the road as best as we could as we were towing a camper at the time as well. We waited for 4 hours to get our vehicle and camper towed 1 hour away to a mechanic. The mechanic couldn't fix our car, but we were able to get an engine code reader to clear the codes as they came up. The closest Subaru dealership was 4 hours away in Las Vegas, NV. We had to drive through mountains and Death Valley. Despite using the engine code reader to clear codes every 30 seconds, our car stalled out 6 times on the way. The problem was the thermo control valve for P26A6, a known problem with Subaru vehicles like ours. We had our vehicle serviced in July 2025 for 60,000 miles and the dealership did not say anything about this known issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I, the owner of a 2020 Subaru Forester am writing to you in regards to an issue with my vehicle’s Eyesight program. Over the past month, there have been several instances where the Eyesight program fails and caused the vehicle to suddenly stop without warning. This prevents me from safely moving the vehicle to the side of the road as the car stops. In other words, the car abruptly stops on the spot. This creates an immediate danger to life and health to myself and to other motorists. This issue must be addressed immediately and the necessary steps taken to ensure the safety the driver, passengers and other motorists on the road. Thank you for understanding.
When stopped at an intersection the car stalled. It would not restart for three minutes and caused a dangerous situation for my family and children in the car while traffic was moving. There were no warning signs, lights, or engine codes. The problem is random and cannot reproduced. The car is available for inspection.
Parasitic battery drain
As I was driving my 2020 Subaru Forester a cracked suddenly appeared across the driver side of the windshield, possibly from a small pebble. The sunlight reflection off the crack sent blinding sunlight into my eyes which nearly caused a collision with the car stopped in front of me. I now have another crack that started from the other side making my car unsafe to drive. Both cracks continue to grow across the windshield, not sure if summertime temps make it worse. I spoke with the dealer and they have quoted thousands of dollars to replace the windshield and since the car has over 100,000 miles they won't replace it under the new warranty that was extended this year. This is my 3rd windshield and can't afford to keep replacing windshields and now I don't have a car to drive. See attached pictures of the windshield.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the 2020 Subaru Forester stand out in terms of reliability?
The absence of recalls highlights Subaru's engineering excellence and dedication to quality control. This means that owners can enjoy their vehicle without the worry typically associated with safety defects prevalent in many competing models.
How should I maintain my 2020 Forester to prevent potential issues?
To prevent issues as mileage increases, it’s crucial for owners to adhere strictly to scheduled maintenance intervals outlined in the owner’s manual. Regular diagnostic checks can also ensure that any minor concerns are addressed before they escalate.
What This Means for You
Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
If You Own This Vehicle
- Your 2020 Forester currently shows zero open recalls. Maintain this status with scheduled preventive maintenance.
- Proactive tip: Enroll in SUBARU's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
If You're Buying Used
- Obtain proof of recall completion for all 0 campaigns before purchase.
- Account for potential service downtime when calculating your initial ownership budget.
This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.