MYRModel Year Report

2020 Subaru Forester

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2020 Subaru Forester
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Forester Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2020 highlighted. 1998: 101 complaints 1998 1999: 131 complaints 2000: 75 complaints 2001: 139 complaints 2002: 88 complaints 2002 2003: 189 complaints 2004: 219 complaints 2005: 93 complaints 2006: 88 complaints 2006 2007: 72 complaints 2008: 50 complaints 2009: 178 complaints 2010: 262 complaints 2010 2011: 147 complaints 2012: 105 complaints 2013: 77 complaints 2014: 403 complaints 2014 2015: 613 complaints 2016: 410 complaints 2017: 583 complaints 2018: 493 complaints 2018 2019: 831 complaints 2020: 597 complaints 2020 2021: 207 complaints 2022: 97 complaints 2022 2023: 73 complaints 2024: 29 complaints 2025: 90 complaints 2026: 17 complaints 2026
2020: 597 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1998101
1999131
200075
2001139
200288
2003189
2004219
200593
200688
200772
200850
2009178
2010262
2011147
2012105
201377
2014403
2015613
2016410
2017583
2018493
2019831
2020597
2021207
202297
202373
202429
202590
202617

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

VISIBILITY/WIPER 42%

42% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 252 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%

17% of complaints: electrical system — 101 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing adas and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My car is violently shaking and completely stalling out in intersections when attempting to restart from an Auto-Stop.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260713

Also filed under ENGINE

ENGINE 13%

13% of complaints: engine — 76 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Daughter was driving vehicle on the morning of September 15, 2023, when smoke came from under hood. Immediately pulled over and engine was engulfed in flames.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231009

This 2020 Subaru Forester has experienced repeated failures involving the Auto Start/Stop system.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260819

My 2020 Subaru Forester Sport suffered catastrophic engine failure on 6/19/2026 at 156,322 miles, 15 days and 1,031 miles after a thermo control valve (TCV) repair performed at an authorized Subaru dealer on 6/4/2026.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260717

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 10%

10% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 57 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic emergency braking and warnings.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
VISIBILITY 8%

8% of complaints: visibility — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing windshield.

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

▮ 2020 — complaint volume: 597

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2020 Subaru Forester — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for visibility/wiper issues (252 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (101 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (76 reports on file for this year).
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2008 ▲ 2007 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2015 ■ 2017

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2020 Subaru Forester reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 Subaru Forester is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Subaru Forester?

The most-reported component is visibility/wiper, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2020 Subaru Forester have?

No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.