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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

107 reports
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7,700 miles · Feb 23, 2021
Unknown Or Other

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A 6 INCH VERTICAL CRACK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THE TIME AND THERE WAS NO KNOWN CAUSE OF THE CRACK. THE CRACK DEVELOPED SPONTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ANY OBJECT STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK THEN ENLARGED ON ITS OWN AS IT WAS BEING DRIVEN HOME.

NHTSA ODI #11397569

13,000 miles · Feb 9, 2021
Unknown Or Other

WINDSHIELD CRACKED EASILY. WHILE DRIVING ON A MAINTAINED CITY STREET, I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE VERY SMALL ROCK OR PIECE OF DEBRIS HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND IMMEDIATELY A 2 FOOT CRACK APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD EXTENDING FROM THE UPPER AND OUTER EDGE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE ACROSS TOWARDS THE MIDDLE. I WAS DISTANCED BEHIND A COMPACT …

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WINDSHIELD CRACKED EASILY. WHILE DRIVING ON A MAINTAINED CITY STREET, I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE VERY SMALL ROCK OR PIECE OF DEBRIS HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND IMMEDIATELY A 2 FOOT CRACK APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD EXTENDING FROM THE UPPER AND OUTER EDGE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE ACROSS TOWARDS THE MIDDLE. I WAS DISTANCED BEHIND A COMPACT SUV. FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE NO INITIAL DAMAGE POINT WAS VISIBLE, ONLY THE CRACK. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, I FOUND A SHALLOW PEN POINT SIZE DIVOT ON THE CRACK NEAR THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA ODI #11395367

8,330 miles · Jan 26, 2021
StructureUnknown Or Other

HELLO, I OWN A SUBARU FORESTER SPORT 2020 AND I HAVE THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW IMPLODE WITHOUT ANY REASON. THE CAR WAS PARKED ALONE FOR LESS THAN ONE HOUR AND I CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE TO USE IT AND THE WINDOW WAS IN A MILLION LITTLE PIECES WITH NO SIGN OF ENTRY OR ANY OBJECT TO SUGGEST THAT IT WAS AN ACT OF VANDALISM. THE POLIC…

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HELLO, I OWN A SUBARU FORESTER SPORT 2020 AND I HAVE THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW IMPLODE WITHOUT ANY REASON. THE CAR WAS PARKED ALONE FOR LESS THAN ONE HOUR AND I CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE TO USE IT AND THE WINDOW WAS IN A MILLION LITTLE PIECES WITH NO SIGN OF ENTRY OR ANY OBJECT TO SUGGEST THAT IT WAS AN ACT OF VANDALISM. THE POLICE CAME AND DID A THROUGH-ROUGH INVESTIGATION AND COULD NOT FIND A MOTIVE OR REASON. AT THE END IT WAS ASSIGNED AS VANDALISM. HOWEVER, AFTER FURTHER SEARCHING ONLINE, THERE IS A PENDING LAWSUIT CHRISTINE POWELL VS. SUBARU OF AMERICA DUE TO THIS REASON WHICH IS WINDOWS AND WINDSHIELDS CRACKING OR IMPLODING WITHOUT ANY REASON. SUBARU IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AND EVEN ASKED THE LAWSUIT TO BE DISMISSED. THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINS KEEPS INCREASING AND INSURANCE COMPANIES AND OWNERS HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL TO GET EQUALLY BAD REPLACEMENT WINDOWS. I AM DEEPLY CONCERN FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE CAR AND ALSO MY SAFETY AND THAT OF MY PASSENGERS.*DT CONSUMER STATED MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PAY $100.00 DEDUCTABLE.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11390003

8,700 miles · Jan 21, 2021
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

COMPLAINT NUMBER 11386410 WINDSHIELD REPLACED NOTED ON RECEIPT 'BROKEN DUE TO STRESS CRACK/DEFECT IN GLASS. NOTHING FROM THE ROAF HIT THE GLASS'

NHTSA ODI #11389229

8,193 miles · Jan 4, 2021
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

ON 12/25/20 WE FOUND A CRACK ON OUR WINDSHIELD FROM THE ROOF OF THE CAR TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD IN THE CENTER FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. WE ARE CURRENTLY VACATIONING IN WESTERN NC AND THE WEATHER HAS BEEN VERY COLD. WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND NO OBJECT HAS HIT THE VEHICLE. WE WE…

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ON 12/25/20 WE FOUND A CRACK ON OUR WINDSHIELD FROM THE ROOF OF THE CAR TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD IN THE CENTER FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. WE ARE CURRENTLY VACATIONING IN WESTERN NC AND THE WEATHER HAS BEEN VERY COLD. WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND NO OBJECT HAS HIT THE VEHICLE. WE WERE REASSURED BY THE SUBARU DEALER IT WAS NOT DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. WE CALLED OUR AAA AUTO INSURANCE TO SCHEDULE A REPLACEMENT/RECALIBRATION AT NO COST. CLAIM # CLM00560639. WE ALSO NOTIFIED TRONCALLI SUBARU IN CUMMING, GA FOR REPAIRS THEY ARE CHARGING >$1100. THE NEAREST SAFELITE AUTO GLASS IS 2.5 HRS AWAY IN UNION CITY, GA. WE HAVE A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT ON 1/8/21. WE ARE VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE CRACKING OF THE WINDSHIELD AND ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. WE DID NOT EXPECT THE GLASS TO CRACK ON ITS OWN. AS OF TODAY 1/3/21 THE CRACK HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY. THE SUBARU WAS PURCHASED ON 3/13/2020 AT DON MEALEY SPORT AT ORLANDO, FLA. WE WOULD APPRECIATE A QUICK RESPONSE TO OUR CLAIM.

NHTSA ODI #11386410

3,955 miles · Jan 3, 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 DISC…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11386255

3,955 miles · Jan 3, 2021
Unknown Or Other

I PURCHASED A 2020 SUBARU FORESTER ON 7/11/20. THE VEHICLE HAD 3955 MILES ON IT AS IT HAD BEEN USED AS A LOANER BY THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER THE PAPERWORK HAD BEEN COMPLETE, THE SALESPERSON WENT TO THE VEHICLE WITH ME TO EXPLAIN SOME OF THE FEATURES. AT THIS POINT, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, I NOTICED A CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD…

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I PURCHASED A 2020 SUBARU FORESTER ON 7/11/20. THE VEHICLE HAD 3955 MILES ON IT AS IT HAD BEEN USED AS A LOANER BY THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER THE PAPERWORK HAD BEEN COMPLETE, THE SALESPERSON WENT TO THE VEHICLE WITH ME TO EXPLAIN SOME OF THE FEATURES. AT THIS POINT, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, I NOTICED A CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD ON THE LOWER LEFT SIDE. I REPORTED IT TO THE SALESPERSON WHO SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK FOR A REPAIR. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED, THE CHIP WAS STILL OBVIOUS. THE CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE INSPECTION CHECKLIST INDICATES NO CHIPS/CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD (FALSE INFORMATION). I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CHIP WILL BECOME LARGER, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE CURRENT LAWSUIT REGARDING SUBARU VEHICLES WHICH INCLUDES MY FORESTER.

NHTSA ODI #11386251

1,200 miles · Jan 3, 2021
Unknown Or Other

A STONE HIT THE WINDSHIELD - PASSENGER SIDE ( COLORED GLASS) THICKEST PART . I WATCHED IT CRACK IN HALF ALL THE WAY TO THE CENTER OF THE CAR- IMMEDIATELY. I WAS 1.5 MILES FROM THE SUBARU DEALER .SO I WENT STRAIGHT THERE , I HAVE HAD PLENTY OF STONE HITS , NEVER LIKE THIS - THEY HAVE ALWAYS JUST MADE A PIT , THAT COULD BE FIXED …

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A STONE HIT THE WINDSHIELD - PASSENGER SIDE ( COLORED GLASS) THICKEST PART . I WATCHED IT CRACK IN HALF ALL THE WAY TO THE CENTER OF THE CAR- IMMEDIATELY. I WAS 1.5 MILES FROM THE SUBARU DEALER .SO I WENT STRAIGHT THERE , I HAVE HAD PLENTY OF STONE HITS , NEVER LIKE THIS - THEY HAVE ALWAYS JUST MADE A PIT , THAT COULD BE FIXED .I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR JUST 3 WEEKS BEFORE. THIS HAPPENED

NHTSA ODI #11386240

4,500 miles · Jan 2, 2021
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other

ONE DAY I LOOKED UP AT MY WINDSHIELD AND THERE IS A SCRATCH/CRACK VISIBLE ON THE INSIDE. NOTHING HIT IT.

NHTSA ODI #11386180

6,000 miles · Jan 2, 2021
StructureUnknown Or OtherVisibility/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.

NHTSA ODI #11386138

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.

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