Complaint volume
590 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2020 Subaru Forester Complaints
590 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Subaru Forester, grouped by component category.
590 Total complaints
25 Crash reports
7 Fire reports
13 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are visibility/wiper, unknown or other, visibility. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 25 crash reports, 7 fire reports, 13 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 272 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 10,312 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to visibility/wiper, unknown or other, visibility?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2020 Subaru Forester?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2020 Subaru Forester
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2020 Subaru Forester complaints?
25 Crash
7 Fire
13 Injury
0 Fatality
23 Towed
10 Medical attention
What are the most common 2020 Subaru Forester complaint categories?
VISIBILITY/WIPER 234
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 67
VISIBILITY 49
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 44
ENGINE 16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 15
POWER TRAIN 9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER 8
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 6
590 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I PURCHASED A 2020 FORESTER ON 7/11/20 AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD 3955 MILES ON IT AND HAD BEEN USED AS A LOANER BY THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER COMPLETING THE PAPERWORK AND FINALIZING THE SALE, THE SALESPERSON ACCOMPANIED ME TO THE VEHICLE TO EXPLAIN SOME OF THE FEATURES. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, I DISCOVERED A CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD, EVEN THOUGH THE CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE INSPECTION CHECKLIST INDICATED THE WINDSHIELD HAD BEEN CHECKED AND THERE WERE NO CHIPS OR CRACKS. THE SALESPERSON ARRANGED AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK FOR A REPAIR TO THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED, THE CHIP WAS STILL OBVIOUS. GIVEN THE CURRENT LAWSUIT CONCERNING SUBARU WINDSHIELD ISSUES, I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CHIP MAY WORSEN. | Crash: No Fire: No | 3,955 |
| Jan 2021 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | VEHICLE WAS DRIVING NEXT TO AN RV ON THE FREEWAY. RV KICKED UP SMALL DEBRIS ONTO WINDSHIELD. WINDSHIELD IMMEDIATELY HAD ABOUT 16 INCH CRACK. | Crash: No Fire: No | 6,000 |
| Jan 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | BETWEEN THE TIME AT WHICH I PARKED MY VEHICLE (WITH A FULLY INTACT, UN-CHIPPED WINDSHIELD) IN THE SMALL, PRIVATE PARKING LOT AT MY RURAL PLACE OF WORK, APPROXIMATELY 9:00AM EST ON DECEMBER 31ST, 2020, AND THE TIME AT WHICH I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE, APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS LATER AT 10:45AM EST ON DECEMBER 31ST, 2020, A LARGE CRACK HAD FORMED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK'S LENGTH WAS APPROXIMATELY 8.5 INCHES IN WIDTH, BEGINNING ON THE EDGE OF THE GLASS APPROXIMATELY 12" FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD AND CONTINUING LATERALLY. THE VEHICLE, WHICH I PURCHASED LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CRACK SPONTANEOUSLY FORMING, IS BRAND NEW AND HAS JUST UNDER 6,000 MILES. I HAVE ALSO BEEN THE SOLE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASING IT BRAND NEW, AND CAN ATTEST THAT NO ROCKS OR PEBBLES HAVE HIT THE WINDSHIELD. | Crash: No Fire: No | 5,924 |
| Jan 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | ONE DAY I LOOKED UP AT MY WINDSHIELD AND THERE IS A SCRATCH/CRACK VISIBLE ON THE INSIDE. NOTHING HIT IT. | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,500 |
| Jan 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | 2020 FORESTER WITH 2800 MILES ON ODOMETER. STARTED CAR IN 26 DEGREE WEATHER AND SAW A CRACK APPEAR ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE WHICH THEN CREPT ACROSS HORIZONTALLY TO A LENGTH OF APPROXIMATELY 18 INCHES AS THE VEHICLE WARMED UP WITH DEFROSTER ON. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURPOSELY PURCHASED FOR IT'S VISIBILITY AND ELECTRONIC VEHICLE SAFETY FEATURES (EYESIGHT). A WINDSHIELD THAT CRACKS SEEMINGLY ON IT'S OWN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTS THE FUNCTIONALITY, SAFETY AND THE MANUFACTURER'S STATED VALUE OF THIS VEHICLE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,800 |
| Dec 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | WINDSHIELD CRACKS EASILY ON A 2020 SUBARU FORESTER | Crash: No Fire: No | 10,500 |
| Dec 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | I'VE HAD MY 2020 SUBARU FORESTER FOR UNDER 3 MONTHS AND I'VE PUT LESS THAN 900 MILES ON IT, AND YET I'VE SOMEHOW STILL HIT 3 SMALL ROCKS RESULTING IN 3 CHIPS TO THE WINDSHIELD IMPACTING VISIBILITY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. SAFELITE FILLED THE CHIPS BUT THEY ARE STILL VISIBLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A RESULT OF THE ACOUSTIC GLASS BEING MORE FRAGILE OR PRONE TO CHIPS AND CRACKS. | Crash: No Fire: No | 800 |
| Dec 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON TEXAS STATE ROUTE 249 VERY SMALL PEBBLE HIT WINDSHIELD ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM BOTTOM NEAR CENTER CREATING A STAR LESS THAN 1/4 INCH DIAMETER WITH NO DEPTH. EYESIGHT SYSTEM STILL WORKING. NEXT MORNING AFTER BEING IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT, FOUND A CRACK 14 INCH LONG HAD EXTENDED FROM IMPACT. WILL BE REPAIRED BY INSURANCE AT A SUBARU QUALIFIED GLASS REPAIR FACILITY. | Crash: No Fire: No | 3,650 |
| Dec 2020 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 12/16/2020 DRIVING. 3:30 PM DAYTIME. CLEAR WEATHER. DIVIDED HIGHWAY. APPROX 50 MPH. NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF CAR FOR AT LEAST A QUARTER MILE. CAR INITIATED SUDDEN STOP MODE NEARLY CAUSING A SEVERE REAR END COLLISION (AVOIDED BY APPROACHING DRIVER GOING INTO MEDIAN) | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,000 |
| Dec 2020 | STEERING,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES | ON THE MORNING OF OCTOBER 1, 2020, I PULLED THE CAR OUT OF MY GARAGE. I WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT,. THE CAR WAS PARKED FACING THE WALL, ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE GARAGE DOOR, AND I HAD TO BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE INTO MY DRIVEWAY, PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE. I THEN HAD TO TURN RIGHT, INTO MY DRIVEWAY LEADING TO THE STREET. AFTER I SHIFTED THE GEAR FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE, THE CAR STARTED MOVING FORWARD SPONTANEOUSLY, AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT, NOR STEER THE STEERING WHEEL. MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT HARD AND WOULD NOT GO DOWN. I FOUND THE CAR GOING FORWARDS TOWARDS THE GARAGE, BUT SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT OF THE OPEN GARAGE DOOR. I WAS ALSO NOT ABLE TO TURN THE CAR WITH THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH WAS ALSO STIFF. I WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND MY INABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, WITH THE CAR GOING TOWARDS MY HOUSE, AND THE BRAKE NOT BEING EFFECTIVE. MY WIFE,[XXX]WHO WAS AT THE DOOR, WAS WATCHING AND HELPLESS. THE CAR THEN HIT THE PILLAR/ POST, BETWEEN MY GARAGE DOORS AND STOPPED, HITTING THE RIGHT SIDE, OF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE POST. I NOTIFIED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND DROVE THE CAR TO SUBARU'S SERVICE CENTER, AND HAS SINCE LEFT THE CAR THERE. I HAD MET EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR SITUATION ABOUT 2-3 DAYS EARLIER. AT THAT TIME, I DID NOT THINK MUCH OF IT. THE CAR IS WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF [XXX], SUBARU DEALER, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER, CAN EXPLAIN THE DAMAGES TO THE CAR, AS IT HAS BEEN WITH THEM SINCE THE INCIDENT. MY WIFE WAS STANDING AT THE DOOR AND WITNESSED THE INCIDENT. THE INVESTIGATION WAS THEN HANDED OVER TO SUBARU AMERICA , WHO FURTHER FORWARDED IT TO BOSCH ENGINEERING. SUBARU AMERICA NOW WANTS TO ME TAKE THE CAR WITHOUT EXPLANATION FOR THE FAILURE. I HAVE REQUESTED A COPY OF THE REPORT, WHICH SUBARU HAS DENIED . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR | Crash: Yes Fire: No | 10,000 |
| Dec 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | WE HAVE HAD OUR 2020 FORESTER FOR 5 MONTHS. COMING HOME FROM A DRIVE TO THE GROCERY STORE, WE NOTICED A TINY CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN WE PULLED INTO OUR GARAGE. THERE WAS NO DEBRIS ON THE ROADWAY. WE LOOKED ONLINE AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WHERE A TINY CRACK DEVELOPS FROM A ROCK OR OTHER SMALL DEBRIS AND THEN WITHIN A DAY OR TWO THERE IS A TWO TO THREE FOOT CRACK ACROSS THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD. WE HAVE DRIVEN OTHER VEHICLES FOR YEARS WITHOUT A TINY PIECE OF DEBRIS CAUSING SO MUCH DAMAGE. THERE IS CLEARLY A FLAW IN HOW THE WINDSHIELDS ARE DEVELOPED (PROBABLY TO SELL THEIR EXPENSIVE WINDSHIELD WARRANTY PLANS). AS THERE IS A POINT OF IMPACT I'M SURE IT WON'T BE COVERED BY ANY OF OUR MANUFACTURER WARRANTIES. THE WHOLE ISSUE THOUGH IS THE LACK OF VISIBLE DEBRIS DURING OUR DRIVE--LITERALLY IT HAD TO HAVE BEEN SOMETHING SMALLER THAN A PEA. IT IS RIDICULOUS TO THINK THAT SUCH A SMALL IMPACT WOULD CAUSE THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD TO FRACTURE. AGAIN, WE HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH DEBRIS WITH OTHER BRANDS IN THE PAST, AND A SMALL IMPACT DID NOT CRACK THE WINDSHIELD AT ALL. WE DID NOT NOTICE THE CRACK UNTIL WE GOT HOME, BUT IT LIKELY OCCURRED WHILE IN MOTION. WE WERE ON A HIGHWAY, BUT NOT A HIGH MPH STRETCH. WE WERE ONLY COMING BACK FROM A COUPLE MILES AWAY FROM OUR HOME, WHERE THE VEHICLE SITS IN THE GARAGE 100% OF THE TIME IT IS NOT BEING DRIVEN. | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,200 |
| Dec 2020 | VISIBILITY | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU FORSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE AND THE FOLLOWING DAY SHE DISCOVERED A 13-14 INCH CRACK IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN IMPACT TO THE WINDSHIELD. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 55,000 |
| Dec 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I WAS DRIVING HOME IT WAS DARK AND RAINING. SOMETHING HIT MY WINDSHIELD WHEN I WOKE UP ON SATURDAY I SAW A BIG CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,550 |
| Dec 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITHIN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS AND AN OBJECT WE COULD NOT IDENTIFY HIT THE WINDSHIELD ON A SUNDAY. IT SOUNDED LIKE A SMALL ROCK, BUT TWO DAYS LATER ON TUESDAY WE NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT CRACK THAT DEVELOPED FROM A SMALL CHIP. I LATER LEARNED AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH THAT SUBARU HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THEIR WINDSHIELDS. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | MY CAR DEVELOPED A CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD OVERNIGHT WHEN IT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE CRACK WASN'T THERE IN THE NIGHT, AND THE CAR WAS DRIVEN LOCALLY FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS TO GO TO WORK AND BACK. I AM GENERALLY KNOWN TO MY FRIENDS AS ONE OF THE SAFEST DRIVERS AROUND AND I TRY TO DRIVE AS DEFENSIVELY AS POSSIBLE. I DO NOT RECALL ANY DEBRIS OR STONES HITTING MY CAR. THE CRACK IS BIG AND IT CANNOT BE MASKED BY OTHER MEASURES. I DID NOT EXPECT A CAR WHICH I HAVE BEEN DRIVING JUST FOR 2 MONTHS TO DEVELOP SUCH AN ISSUE. ON THE CONTRARY I HAVE OWNED MY 2004 LEXUS ES330 SINCE PAST 5 YEARS BUT NEVER DID I HAVE A SIMILAR DAMAGE LIKE IN 2020 SUBARU FORESTER. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN THE SAFETY PRACTICES OF THIS COMPANY. THE DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE CAR IS INCOMMUNICADO. I HOPE SOMEONE PICKS THIS UP AND HELPS ME FOOT THE BILL WHICH IS GOING TO INCREASE MY INSURANCE RATE AND TAKE A SIGNIFICANT CHUNK OF MONEY FROM MY POCKET WHICH I COULDN'T HAVE FORESEEN. | Crash: No Fire: No | 7,100 |
| Dec 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | WINDSHIELD ISSUE - ON 10/24/20 DISCOVERED APPROX. 2 FT. CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD OF OUR 2020 SUBARU FORRESTER. NO IDEA WHEN CRACK ACTUALLY HAPPENED. NO OBVIOUS DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD STUCK THE WINDSHIELD WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. CAR STAYS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE UNLESS IT'S BEING DRIVEN. CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW ON 9/26/20 AND HAD APPROX.1000 MILES ON ODOMETER WHEN THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. WE ASSUMED IT WAS A WARRANTY ISSUE AND TOOK TO DEALER LATER THAT WEEK. THEY IMMEDIATELY TOLD US A ROCK MUST HAVE HIT IT AND WE HAD TO GET IT FIXED - NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. UNFORTUNATELY THE CRACK IS GETTING LARGER, SO WE HAVE APPT. TO GET WINDSHIELD REPLACED AND PAY $500 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE. CAN SCAN AND SEND INSURANCE/INVOICE PAPERWORK ONCE REPAIR IS COMPLETE IF NEEDED. | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,000 |
| Dec 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,800 |
| Dec 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | THE CAR WAS PARKED AS I WAS WALKING UP TO IT THERE WAS A CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. I WAS WALKING TO MY CAR AND NOTICED A GLARE WALKING UP AND LOOKED CLOSER AND THERE WAS A CRACKING MY WINDSHIELD | Crash: No Fire: No | 7,000 |
| Dec 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | A 12 INCH CRACK APPEARED IN THE CENTER OF MY WINDSHIELD, PASSENGER SIDE, STARTING AT THE EDGE, AND GOING HORIZONTALLY TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAD JUST LEFT A SHOP'S PARKING LOT. IT WAS NOT THERE BEFORE PARKING. I DID NOT SPOT IT IMMEDIATELY BUT ONLY AFTER 3 MINUTES DRIVING. THERE WAS NO NOISE OF A HIT OR BREAKAGE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS UNCERTAIN WHETHER THE CRACK WOULD SPREAD TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE - OR ALL OVER THE WINDSHIELD. | Crash: No Fire: No | 10,000 |
| Nov 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | I HAVE 2,500 MILES ON THE NEW 2020 SUBARU FORESTER AND A LARGE CRACK APPEARED ON MY WINDSHIELD OVERNIGHT (STATIONARY). NOTHING HIT MY WINDSHIELD. CRACK GOES FROM MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD DOWN TO THE LOWER RIGHT PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD WHERE IT'S HEATED. | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,500 |
| Nov 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY ALONE AROUND 60 MPH AND WINDSHIELD RANDOMLY CRACKED | Crash: No Fire: No | 9,000 |
| Nov 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | CRACKED WINDSHIELD | Crash: No Fire: No | 7,000 |
| Nov 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | SPONTANEOUS CHIPPING AND CRACKING OF THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY. DID NOT HEAR ANY ROCK OR PEBBLE HIT MY WINDSHIELD DURING DRIVING. ONCE I STOPPED IN THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP THE TANK I NOTICED A CRACKED STARTING FROM THE MIDDLE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD WHILE I'M CLEANING IT. | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,500 |
| Nov 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | LITERALLY ABOUT A MONTH AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND THERE WAS NO REAL SIGN OF IMPACT. I WAITED A FEW MONTHS AND EVENTUALLY THE CRACK SPREAD ACROSS THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD AND IMPAIRED MY VISION SO I PID MY DEDUCTIBLE AND GOT IT REPLACED WITH SAFELIGHT. | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,000 |
| Nov 2020 | VISIBILITY | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, A HORIZONTAL CRACK FORMED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD AND SPREAD TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK OBSTRUCTED HER VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF BEND (2060 NE HWY 20, BEND, OR 97701) WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,500. | Crash: No Fire: No | 3,500 |