Subaru · Forester · 2020
2020 Subaru Forester
0
Recalls
588
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2020 Subaru Forester has no recalls and 588 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: visibility/wiper (234 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2020 Subaru Forester page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is visibility/wiper with 234 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2020 Subaru Forester reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2020 Subaru Forester currently shows no active NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 588 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are visibility/wiper (234), unknown or other (67), visibility (49).
- Vehicle
- 2020 Subaru Forester
- Recalls
- 0
- Complaints
- 588
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
16.9% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: Standard
Owner Complaints
588 totalELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 14, 2026
My Apple Car Play has never worked since I bought the car new in 2020. The dealership's solution each time I asked about it was for me to get a new plug in cord, update my iPhone settings, and then they can update the system manually. I have taken it in multiple times, and each t...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 6, 2026
stalling/shutting down at stoplights with the auto start-stop feature has occurred continuously for the last 2 years I’ve taken to dealer, and multiple mechanics and they can’t find a problem
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Feb 19, 2026
My son, [XXX] is currently driving this car. The car only has 29,200 miles so far. Last week, while at the stop light on the hill, he had near fatal accident! Forester suddenly completed shut down. The only functioning part was the brake. My son had to put the car in park and res...
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EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 1, 2025
Since I purchased my Subaru Forester new in 2020, people regularly flash their high beams at me at night when my low beams are on, because they think I have my high beams on. I also flash my high beams at cars when I think they have their high beams on then they do the same, to s...
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ENGINE
Nov 23, 2025
While driving my 2020 Subaru Forester at approximately 15 mph, the engine unexpectedly shut off, resulting in an immediate loss of propulsion (vehicle stall while in motion). This created a safety risk because the vehicle was in traffic and could have been struck from behind or l...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Oct 23, 2025
While driving on public roads, all dash warning lights illuminated simultaneously. The instrument cluster displayed “EyeSight OFF.” At the same time, the electronic parking brake engaged / the vehicle would not accelerate and required me to stop and shift to Park. The only way to...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sep 28, 2025
Car frequently dies and won't want to start. Have changed the battery already. Will come to a stop and it will just randomly shut down. Have had to shift to park and restart the car. This is unsafe.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Sep 22, 2025
2020 Subaru Forester periodically will stall out at a light or stop sign in heavy traffic. It then takes several attempts to restart. (Sometimes completely dead) My mechanic hasI changed the battery and checked the alternator, all in working order. It’s hard to figure out what is...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 15, 2025
When stopped at an intersection the car stalled. It would not restart for three minutes and caused a dangerous situation for my family and children in the car while traffic was moving. There were no warning signs, lights, or engine codes. The problem is random and cannot repr...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Sep 15, 2025
We were traveling in rural California, 1 hour north of Bishop, CA on [XXX] when our vehicle's "Check Engine" light, "Parking Break" light, and several other lights lit up on our dashboard. Our car began to stall out immediately. We were able to pull off to the side of the road as...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 588 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2020 Subaru models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Subaru Forester Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Subaru Forester have?
The 2020 Subaru Forester has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2020 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA has received 588 owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Subaru Forester.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2020 Subaru Forester?
The 2020 Subaru Forester received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Subaru Forester?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2020 Subaru Forester are visibility/wiper (234 reports), unknown or other (67 reports), visibility (49 reports).
Does the 2020 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2020 Subaru Forester. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.