NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
600 reports26,000 miles · Jan 8, 2025
Forward Collision Avoidance
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal of the vehicle was applied inadvertently without any vehicles surrounding the vehicle. The contact stated that simultaneously a " Pre collision braking system was activated " message appeared. The vehicle was …
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The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal of the vehicle was applied inadvertently without any vehicles surrounding the vehicle. The contact stated that simultaneously a " Pre collision braking system was activated " message appeared. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the failure was not replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.
NHTSA ODI #11634867
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2025
Electrical SystemEngine
Periodically, the vehicle stalls at stop lights, stop signs, and in other situations when coming to a complete stop. Once the vehicle comes to a complete stop and turns off due to the auto-stop/start function, it stalls immediately after the car re-starts and you press the gas pedal. This leaves the vehicle stalled in intersecti…
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Periodically, the vehicle stalls at stop lights, stop signs, and in other situations when coming to a complete stop. Once the vehicle comes to a complete stop and turns off due to the auto-stop/start function, it stalls immediately after the car re-starts and you press the gas pedal. This leaves the vehicle stalled in intersections and in potentially dangerous conditions. You must engage park and restart the vehicle while stopped in the middle of traffic, which poses a significant safety risk. I believe this issue is related to the auto-stop/start functionality. The vehicle has been inspected by a Subaru dealer several times, but they claim they cannot reproduce the problem and there are no diagnostic codes or warning lights. No other mechanic has inspected the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11634379
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2025
Air Bags
The passenger seat airbag sensor does not activate all the time. My girlfriend weighs [XXX]. When she sits in the passenger seat, it only activates the sensor approx 50% of the time. I took it to Subaru, they indicated the sensor was working properly, and their resolution to the issue was for her to weight at least 120 pounds !!…
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The passenger seat airbag sensor does not activate all the time. My girlfriend weighs [XXX]. When she sits in the passenger seat, it only activates the sensor approx 50% of the time. I took it to Subaru, they indicated the sensor was working properly, and their resolution to the issue was for her to weight at least 120 pounds !!! I have that in writing on the repair ticket from Dreyer Reinbold Subaru Greenwood Indiana. I took my complaint to Subaru, and after repeated follow up phone calls, I was informed that in Subaru's owners manual, it stipulates that the individual must meet certain criteria in order to activate the passenger seat sensor. I have yet to find that reference. So, does Subaru inform every potential buyer of the fact that individuals seated in the passenger seat must meet the 120 pound minimum weight to activate the airbag sensor to keep them safe ? I bet not. Thank you for your consideration to helping me keep any passenger in my 2020 Subaru safe, and for countless others that may have have this issue but never check to insure the airbag becomes activated. I have seen recalls for 2020 Outback & Legacy for the same issue with the passenger seat sensor, is it possible some Foresters have the same sensor? [XXX] - [XXX] - [XXX] - [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11634039
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2025
EngineSteering
My Forester just totally shuts down sometimes from the auto start feature in traffic or intersections . Errors come up . The wheel locks and I must put the car in park , turn it off and turn it back on. Very scary and very dangerous.
NHTSA ODI #11633762
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2024
Structure
Automated lift gate opened fully, and then immediately closed without warning upon a person who was trying to access the back, nearly causing injury. It is unknown what precisely is failing within the lift gate and it is available for review. The automated lift gate can close on a person unexpectedly potentially causing injury.…
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Automated lift gate opened fully, and then immediately closed without warning upon a person who was trying to access the back, nearly causing injury. It is unknown what precisely is failing within the lift gate and it is available for review. The automated lift gate can close on a person unexpectedly potentially causing injury. This has been reproduced as was "fixed" by the dealer but then reappeared only a month later with the same issue. The vehicle was not inspected by anyone but the dealer's service representatives. There was a soft beep emitted as it came down but the behavior was completely unexpected. There were no warning lamps or other information as to something was non-functional, only the soft beep as the lift-gate fully opened, then automatically fully shut right after.
NHTSA ODI #11631660
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2024
Electrical System
My car completely lost power. I had driven to the stop light and was waiting when it lost power. It had no power for several minutes and was unresponsive to the ignition or anything else.
NHTSA ODI #11628706
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2024
EngineForward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure
"Check Engine" light along with "Eye Sight" appeared suddenly on Nov. 22, 2024. All safety systems along with cruise control became inoperable. Took car to Subaru dealer and it was confirmed to be the catalytic converter. My VIN is covered under extended warranty, but I was never notified of this. Plus, now repairs are of an eme…
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"Check Engine" light along with "Eye Sight" appeared suddenly on Nov. 22, 2024. All safety systems along with cruise control became inoperable. Took car to Subaru dealer and it was confirmed to be the catalytic converter. My VIN is covered under extended warranty, but I was never notified of this. Plus, now repairs are of an emergency nature. Also, I do a lot of driving including on the NJ Turnpike, I-95, etc., and while I am awaiting car to be repaired, I have no safety features to rely on--which was one of the reasons I bought a Subaru. They will not pay for a courtesy car loan. Another issue is the Thermo Control Valve. I was notified that I have an extended warranty for this, but part has to FAIL before Subaru will make repairs. Once again this becomes an emergency repair situation instead of a proactive one.
NHTSA ODI #11628642
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2024
Electrical System
This has happened multiple times, is increasing in frequency. Stopped in traffic at a red light. The Auto Stop/Start was enabled and activated when stopped at the light. When the light turned green, tried to go, but the AS/S system failed. A “No Eyesight” warning flashed and disappeared; various symbol lights blinked across the …
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This has happened multiple times, is increasing in frequency. Stopped in traffic at a red light. The Auto Stop/Start was enabled and activated when stopped at the light. When the light turned green, tried to go, but the AS/S system failed. A “No Eyesight” warning flashed and disappeared; various symbol lights blinked across the instrument panel. Car would not start, hazards would not activate. After 10-20 seconds, I was able to put the car in park and restart the engine (would not start before then). No battery or check engine lights had been on previously, up to date on oil changes, 66k total miles, vehicle fully maintained at the nearest dealership. This was scary as I was stuck in the middle of the road on a state highway with traffic and cars behind me. Many people have reported this issue in Subarus and I’d like for this dangerous problem to be formally addressed.
NHTSA ODI #11628535
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2024
Engine
Subaru Forester engine stalls at an intersection due to auto start stop feature of subaru to save fuel, except that this is the second time when engine is idling it lowers the revs and then it stalls when trying to auto start engine; first time the dealer said is battery issue, I replaced the battery at my cost, and this is the …
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Subaru Forester engine stalls at an intersection due to auto start stop feature of subaru to save fuel, except that this is the second time when engine is idling it lowers the revs and then it stalls when trying to auto start engine; first time the dealer said is battery issue, I replaced the battery at my cost, and this is the second time. It is dangerous because there are oncoming traffic and I have only a split second to turn on my flashing lights. This is a brand new battery install on 9/2024.
NHTSA ODI #11628162
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2024
Latches/locks/linkages
The automatic rear liftgate opens all the way, then closes automatically on your head/back. This has been happening with my car for over a year. When it started, it was occasional, but now it happens nearly every time. When it closes, it does so with considerable force, and has knocked me over twice. One time it hit my head just…
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The automatic rear liftgate opens all the way, then closes automatically on your head/back. This has been happening with my car for over a year. When it started, it was occasional, but now it happens nearly every time. When it closes, it does so with considerable force, and has knocked me over twice. One time it hit my head just right and I came close to losing consciousness. I have taken it to Subaru and they said it wasn't an issue. They just reset the liftgate trim height, but that only fixed it for 2 closes. Then it started again. There are many reports of this issue online, and others note that it is a safety concern as well. Others have reported that replacing the liftgate struts and/or the entire liftgate mechanism resolved the problem.
NHTSA ODI #11627170