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2020 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Forester years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Subaru Forester are substantially higher than the model-year median of 131.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

272 reports with mileage · 328 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 252 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

26 crash reports8 fire reports13 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

3 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2026
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

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 issu…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11719471

15 miles · Jan 4, 2021
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGERS SEAT BELTS WERE DIFFICULT TO BUCKLE SECURELY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KENNY ROSS SUBARU (11299 LINCOLN HWY, NORTH HUNTINGDON, PA 15642, (724) 864-5100) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGERS SEAT BELTS WERE DIFFICULT TO BUCKLE SECURELY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KENNY ROSS SUBARU (11299 LINCOLN HWY, NORTH HUNTINGDON, PA 15642, (724) 864-5100) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11386442

500 miles · Nov 12, 2019
Air BagsSeat Belts

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS ARE NOT ENABLED WITH A PERSON SITTING IN THE SEAT USING A SEAT BELT EXTENDER. THERE ARE FLAWS ON THE SOFTWARE THAT IDENTIFY THE PASSENGER ACTIONS ENTERING THE CAR, WHEN THE SEAT BELT IS FASTENED AND WHETHER OR NOT A SEAT BELT EXTENDER HAS BEEN USED. IF A SEAT BELT EXTENDER IS ALREADY IN PLACE, THE CAR REF…

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PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS ARE NOT ENABLED WITH A PERSON SITTING IN THE SEAT USING A SEAT BELT EXTENDER. THERE ARE FLAWS ON THE SOFTWARE THAT IDENTIFY THE PASSENGER ACTIONS ENTERING THE CAR, WHEN THE SEAT BELT IS FASTENED AND WHETHER OR NOT A SEAT BELT EXTENDER HAS BEEN USED. IF A SEAT BELT EXTENDER IS ALREADY IN PLACE, THE CAR REFUSES TO ENABLE THE AIR BAGS AFTER A PERSON SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #11279538

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Subaru Forester problems