Front windshield developed a 12 inch stress fracture with no invisible sign it was due to a rock chip. The crack first appear below the windshield wiper in the center.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Forester years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
600 reportsThe windshield on our 2020 Subaru Forester recently cracked, with no warning or obvious reasons for it to crack. When we began to try to repair it, we realized that because of the Eyesight technology connected to it, it would be a more expensive and complex replacement. We also found out that this was a common problem with this …
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The windshield on our 2020 Subaru Forester recently cracked, with no warning or obvious reasons for it to crack. When we began to try to repair it, we realized that because of the Eyesight technology connected to it, it would be a more expensive and complex replacement. We also found out that this was a common problem with this make and model, and that there had been other complaints about it. We are still trying to make an appointment to fix it, but the crack has grown longer and seems more dangerous now
Windshield cracked
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, a crack had formed on her windshield obstructing her vision. All cracks to the windshield had formed after minor or no impact. The first crack was detected upon the entrance of the vehicle on the lower driver-side corner; the crack had …
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The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, a crack had formed on her windshield obstructing her vision. All cracks to the windshield had formed after minor or no impact. The first crack was detected upon the entrance of the vehicle on the lower driver-side corner; the crack had spread from one edge to another. The second crack had formed while the contact was driving at 65 MPH when a pebble struck the passenger’s side windshield at eye level. The crack initially started off as a chip and then formed into a spider web within seconds; the crack then spread horizontally across the windshield within days. The third crack formed without incident on the top edge of the passenger’s side windshield; the crack had formed into a J-like shape right underneath the rear-view mirror. The contact had taken the vehicle to the same dealer for each windshield repair; the repair for the latest failure was not yet performed. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
Driver gets choked while drinking a cold beverage, gets disoriented and loses consciousness momentarily causing the vehicle to veer off the street and strike a tree with extensive front end damage. Airbags did not deploy at all. Driver has injuries from the crash, such as possible fractured wrist, contusions and much pain in t…
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Driver gets choked while drinking a cold beverage, gets disoriented and loses consciousness momentarily causing the vehicle to veer off the street and strike a tree with extensive front end damage. Airbags did not deploy at all. Driver has injuries from the crash, such as possible fractured wrist, contusions and much pain in the neck, chest and back areas. She was transported by EMS to the hospital. Insurance was notified and an adjuster has already sent a repair appraisal and cut a check for the estimated cost of repairs. The driver does not feel comfortable about the having the car repaired with potentially faulty airbags. We have photos of the car. We have stated our concerns about this to the insurance company and the vehicle manufacturer. They have opened a file with our concerns and we are waiting to learn further from the insurance provider and the car maker. My wife has numerous injuries and does not feel secure keeping this car. A police report is filed and I have also made an initial request to a consult with an attorney.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the battery drained quickly, and the vehicle had to be jumpstarted after three days. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
The windshield has spontaneously developed a crack that begins at the bottom center edge and has advanced about 18 inches at this point, and is visibly advancing daily.
The windshield has a crack that has grown exponentially. It seems to be very susceptible to impact cracks and chips.
Liftgate open for tailgating party. Battery drained despite NO lights being on at all. This should NOT happen. Left me (50yo woman) and 3 kids stranded in a very bad part of town.
Windshield on NEW car has cracked (for no apparent reason) two times within one year of purchase. Subaru has denied defects in each instance.
Official recalls
0No 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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