2020 Subaru Forester problems

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The Subaru Forester (Japanese: スバル・フォレスター, Hepburn: Subaru Foresutā) is a compact crossover SUV that has been manufactured by Subaru since 1997. The first generation was built on the platform of the Impreza in the style of a taller station wagon, a style that continued to the second generation, while the third-generation model onwards moved towards a crossover SUV design. A performance model was available for the second-generation Forester in Japan as the Forester STi.

First generation (SF; 1997)

The Forester was introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show in November 1995 as the Streega concept, and available for sale in February 1997 in Japan, and to the US market in 1997 for MY1998. The Forester was one of the first crossover SUVs; the idea was inspired by Volkswagen (VW). It was built in the style of a station wagon, but had a taller stance, higher h-point seating, and an all-wheel drive drivetrain. Subaru advertising employed the slogan "SUV tough, Car Easy". It used the Impreza platform but with the larger 2.5-liter DOHC EJ25D four-cylinder boxer engine from the Subaru Outback, making 123 kW (165 hp; 167 PS) at 5,600 rpm and 220 N⋅m (162 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4,000 rpm.

Japan

In its domestic market, the Forester replaced the Impreza Gravel Express, known in the US as the Subaru Outback Sport. However, the Outback Sport remained in production for the U.S. market. The Forester appeared after the introduction of the Nissan Rasheen in Japan with a similar appearance, and the Forester's Japanese competitors include the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi RVR, and the Suzuki Grand Vitara. Because of the Forester's low center of gravity, it meets the United States federal safety standards for passenger vehicles and does not require a "risk of rollover" warning label on the driver's visor. Size- and price-wise, it fits between the shared Impreza platform and the larger Legacy.

The automatic transmissions used on AWD-equipped vehicles will normally send 60% of the engine's torque to the front wheels and 40% to the rear wheels, using a computer-controlled, continuously variable, multi-plate transfer clutch. When the transmission detects a speed difference between the front and rear axle sets, the transmission progressively sends power to the rear wheels. Under slip conditions, it can achieve an equal split in front and rear axle speeds.

When accelerating or driving uphill, the vehicle's weight shifts rearward, reducing front-wheel traction, causing the transmission to automatically send torque to the rear wheels to compensate. When braking or driving downhill, the vehicle's weight shifts towards the front, reducing rear-wheel traction. The transmission again compensates by sending torque to the front wheels for better steering control and braking performance. If the automatic is placed in reverse or first gear, the transmission divides the torque 50/50 to both front and rear wheels. The manual transmission cars are set up with a near 50/50 torque split as a base setting, and it varies from there. Essentially, manual cars are set up with more bias towards the rear than automatic cars.

2020 Subaru Forester

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Common 2020 Subaru Forester problems

2020 Subaru Forester Common Problems and Complaints

The 2020 Subaru Forester is a popular compact SUV known for its comfortable and spacious interior, excellent safety features, and all-wheel-drive capabilities. However, like any vehicle, it has its share of common problems and complaints from owners.

  • Thermo control valve failure: Another common problem is the failure of the thermo control valve, which can be expensive if out of warranty. This issue has been reported by multiple owners, with some experiencing major repairs due to defects. It's recommended to consider an extended warranty if purchasing a used 2020 Forester.
  • Electrical system issues: Some owners have reported electrical system problems, including issues with the infotainment system, such as difficulty connecting to Apple CarPlay, problems with the navigation system, and inconsistent phonebook and Bluetooth functionality.
  • Engine issues: A few 2020 Forester owners have reported engine problems, such as the check engine light coming on and the vehicle being unable to drive over 10 mph. These issues have been attributed to thermal valve and gasket problems, with some owners experiencing long wait times for repairs due to parts being on backorder.
  • Exhaust and transmission issues: Some owners have reported exhaust and transmission problems, which are listed as major trouble spots by Consumer Reports.
  • Climate system and brake issues: Other issues reported by owners include problems with the climate system and brakes, which are also listed as trouble spots by Consumer Reports.
  • Noises and leaks: Some owners have reported noises and leaks, which can be a cause for concern and may require professional attention.

It's important to note that these issues are not universal and may only affect a small percentage of 2020 Forester owners. However, being aware of these common problems can help potential buyers make informed decisions when purchasing a used 2020 Forester.

2020 Subaru Forester engine

Are there problems with a 2020 Subaru Forester?

Common problems with the 2020 Subaru Forester include cracked windshields, the battery draining in a few days, and the automatic tailgate opening unexpectedly. Overall, these problems are relatively minor for a compact SUV, leading to relatively low repair costs as the Forester ages.

What is the most common problem with the Subaru Forester?

Most Common Subaru Forester Problems

  • Engine Issues. There are a variety of issues that owners have reported that are related to the Check Engine light being illuminated. ...
  • Transmission Problems. Subaru Forester transmission problems typically occur in two ways – shuddering or jerking. ...
  • Oil Consumption. ...
  • Electrical Issues.

Is there a recall on 2020 Forester?

There are currently no recorded recalls for this car.

What are the downsides of a Subaru Forester?

Common Subaru Forester Problems

  • Transmission issues: Many Subaru Forester models with CVT transmissions reportedly had numerous issues. ...
  • Excessive oil consumption: Various Subaru models, including the Forester, had oil consumption issues. ...
  • Check engine light: An illuminated check engine light points to a dozen issues.

Are there problems with a 2020 Subaru Forester?

Common problems with the 2020 Subaru Forester include cracked windshields, the battery draining in a few days, and the automatic tailgate opening unexpectedly. Overall, these problems are relatively minor for a compact SUV, leading to relatively low repair costs as the Forester ages.

What is the common problem for a Subaru Forester?

When it comes to Forester engine issues, one of the most common complaints is related to the oxygen sensor. Due to a crack in the oxygen sensor (the cause of the Check Engine light illuminating), the sensor fails and in some cases was recalled by Subaru.

Is there a recall on 2020 Forester?

There are currently no recorded recalls for this car.

How long should a 2020 Subaru Forester last?

Throughout its more than two decades of production, the Forester has gained a reputation for easily crossing the 200,000-mile threshold. Based on various sources and owner accounts, Foresters can last 200,000 and 250,000 with proper TLC – nothing short of impressive.

2020 Subaru Forester car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Subaru Forester problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Visibility/wiper problems
  • Unknown or other problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Engine problems
  • Visibility problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2020 Subaru Forester vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 2020 Subaru Forester

The NHTSA has received 549 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2020 Subaru Forester. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2020 Subaru Forester vehicles.

2024-10-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-10-18
  • VIN: JF2SKARC0LH
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The auto start stop feature has caused my car to shutdown with all lights lit on the dash in more than one scenario. In traffic on the freeway, I had my foot on the brake. It auto stopped. Then when the traffic was starting to move, I went to push the accelerator and the dashboard lights all lit up and the engine shut off completely. The car was still in drive but it was off. I had to shift the car into park and push the start button to start the engine back up. It has happened before at traffic lights with the same outcomes. I went to subaru dealer and they said some of the batteries were faulty and replaced it but that is not the issue since it is still happening. It is dangerous in traffic!
2024-10-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-10-20
  • VIN: JF2SKAJC2LH
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: Stopped in traffic near 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. Car would not start, hazards would not activate. After 20-30 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, 35k total miles, and I had a quarter tank of gas. This was scary as I was stuck in the middle of the road with my children while cars behind me tried to pass on either side. Many people have reported this issue in Subarus and I’d like for this dangerous problem to be formally addressed.
2024-10-07

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-10-07
  • VIN: JF2SKAGC7LH
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: The Auto stop start feature on the car drains the battery and alternator too much. It shouldn’t be forced on consumers. If it was a feature I wanted to use I should have the option of turning it on not be forced to always turn it off since I don’t use it. The alternator has already been replaced under warranty due to this feature. Between that and the dealership saying it would be over $700 to replace the battery is ridiculous. Today the car died while at a stop and the battery is needing to be replaced.
2024-09-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-14
  • VIN: JF2SKAUC7LH
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: Stopped at a red light at busy intersection. 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. Car would not start. Driver activated hazard lights, which flashed for no longer than three to five minutes before stopping completely. While car was stalled in traffic, a few lights continued to blink on the dash.
2024-09-23

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-23
  • VIN: JF2SKAXC7LH
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while at a complete stop, the automatic START/STOP, the feature intermittently failed to operate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the failure occurred without warning. The contact stated that once the vehicle was restarted, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the failure was related to the battery. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
2024-09-23

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-03
  • VIN: JF2SKADC5LH
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: Vehicle traveling W on [XXX] Bryan TX. Automobile suddenly started shaking and not developing power, Driver was able to pull off on the shoulder barely clearing the #2 lane. The engine would crank but not sustain operation. The auto required transport to the home garaging location. Subsequent analysis of the fuel showed it to be gasoline, no water, lacked appearance of any foreign matter. With the ignition on 12V were detected at the gas tank terminal, however the in tank pump would not produce fuel flow at the connection at the top of the tank. Had the vehicle been operating in the #1 lane it may not have been possible to clear the traveled lanes thus causing a traffic safety problem. A State Trooper did provide protection until the vehicle was transported. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-09-13

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER,BACK OVER PREVENTION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-06
  • VIN: JF2SKARC0LH
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER,BACK OVER PREVENTION
  • Summary: The head unit suddenly stopped working. It unfortunately isn’t covered Under warranty. The screen consistently turns on and off.
2024-08-26

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-05
  • VIN: JF2SKAUCXLH
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: Subaru of America is aware of the problem which impacts several models and model years, see Subaru Service Bulletin 16-132-20R. Transmission slippage and bounce feel during acceleration. Can be strong enough at times to visually see occupants moving with momentum/bounce at times. Could contribute to vehicle not maintaining/reducing/responding to speed control systems, failure of transmission components, stranding occupants, and other similar hazards that come with the mechanical failure of a transmission. Has caused slowing of acceleration which impacted surrounding traffic on a few occasions. Vehicle is scheduled to be inspected by manufacture dealership on morning of 08/27/24.
2024-08-13

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-13
  • VIN: JF2SKAJC5LH
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
  • Summary: Car shuts off while stopped at light. This has happened 3 times. I have taken it to Subaru service provider and keep being told nothing is wrong. Car must be put into park and restarted to work. It is unsafe. There are multiple reports online ([XXX] and [XXX] ) of people reporting the same issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-08-05

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
  • VIN: JF2SKASC6LH
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE
  • Summary: A week after my routine oil changed at 31K, the check engine light along with flashing "s" pop up. The next day the check engine disappeared. I was some what happy and continue to drive car as normal for 2 days, then check engine light came back again and this time is staying for good. I just can't believed that 4 years old car is having this issue. I've owned so many cars prior to this 2020 Subaru Forester, never once that those cars have problems like this one. I feel that i'm at risk driving without no eyesight or collision prevention warning.. when the check engine comes on, those two things are disable. After a long research and reading about so many people with same issues, i feel that they should be a recalling to fix the thermal valve control.
2024-07-05

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-04-19
  • Number Of Injuries: 3
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: JF2SKADC3LH
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
  • Summary: Eyesight pre-collision braking feature and pre-collision throttle management feature malfunctioned and caused the 2020 Forester to accelerate unexpectedly and lurch forward while I was manually braking and slowing to come to a complete stop behind two other vehicles stopped at a steady red light. See class action lawsuit Weston, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc., et al. In US District Court Case No. [XXX] which alleges that the vehicle contains certain defects that caused sudden and unintended acceleration without driver input; acceleration while manually braking; and that these defects created a safety risk, because they severely affected the driver's ability to control the car's speed, acceleration, and deceleration, and increase the risk of a collision, which did in fact occur. The defective car was completely totaled and towed to a salvage yard by the police and the insurance company. Defect malfunction caused a collision which resulted in property damage and personal injury to three vehicles and three people. I mentioned the defect to my insurance company at the time of the accident. I do not know if they chose to follow up and inspect the vehicle. The problem occurred twice before ( not resulting in property damage or injury) and I took it to my Subaru dealer both times and they claim that they could not find anything wrong, but oddly did not note that they checked for the problem which I brought to their attention on the written summary/invoice for my service visit. See the class action lawsuit- this is apparently the typical dealer non-response to the problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-07-02

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-23
  • VIN: JF2SKASC0LH
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and then stalled. The driver was able to pull over safely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to the thermal control valve and produced DTC codes: P2682 and P26A. The mechanic replaced the cooling gasket and coolant control valve and added coolant. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and assisted with the repair. The approximate failure mileage was 52,395.
2024-06-28

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-19
  • VIN: JF2SKARC3LH
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: P2682 Engine overheating and engine gauge flashing red due to a recall related to the engine coolant bypass valve. The vehicle stopped and required a tow for $417 to the nearest Subaru dealership to repair. After towing to the dealership they charged 31% of parts to labor and would not eliminate or discount the invoice.
2024-06-24

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-24
  • VIN: JF2SKAJC6LH
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
  • Summary: Within one month the same thing happened. I turn on the car and the eyesight warning light is on (eyesight feature disabled), flashing "S" drive is on, "break" light is on, and check engine light is on. Due to this cruise control isn't working. My plan was to take it to a mechanic/dealership that Monday. By Monday morning, after about 15 minutes of driving, all warning signs disappeared. This exact thing happened a few weeks later (this morning). I started googling issues and seems like this is an issue for many customers and is just a malfunctioning Thermo Control Valve, no actual problem. What do I do about this? This is much less important - but also seems like a quality issue, at drivers side, the seat cover is starting to crack, looking like this is car is over 10 years old, we've had it for less than 4 years and this shouldn't be happening on a car of this caliber. Photos attached
2024-06-13

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-01-02
  • VIN: JF2SKAJC9LH
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: I picked-up my new 2020 Subaru Forester on January 2, 2020. Within two years the battery became too weak to start the engine. Since then, I've had to repeatedly charge the battery. Now a battery maintainer is constantly connected to the battery. I've seen online reports that multiple late model Subarus have had battery issues, and that Subaru of America voluntarily replaced batteries and addressed related electrical issues for some of its customers. Subaru of America has all of my contact information, but I was never informed of their voluntary fix of the battery issue. Due to the fact that I wasn't contacted about the battery failure issue, do I now have any recourse? Many late model Subarus have an automatic engine stop/start feature. I've read reports of Subarus not restarting in traffic, I therefore do not feel safe driving my 2020 Subaru Forester. Why didn't this dangerous problem trigger an NHTSA recall?
2024-06-13

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-11
  • VIN: JF2SKAJC5LH
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: CHECK ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION WARNING, FLASHING "S"DRIVE, NO EYESIGHT, AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHTS, ALL CAME ON AT ONCE AND STAYING ON. POSSIBLE THERMO CONTROL VALVE ISSUE - NEEDS A RECALL!
2024-06-08

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-06
  • Crash: 1
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: JF2SKAJC6LH
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: Collided with a deer that was running across the freeway. Driving legal speed. Impact to front driver's side. Impact seemed relatively minor. No passenger injury. Odd that the airbags didn't deploy. Able to coast to the shoulder. Steam coming from radiator. That dissipated quickly. Had my sister call 911. Took pics of the front as well as the deer fur stuck to the car. About 2 minutes went by and I returned to the front to assess the extent of the damage. Car totaled. As I was assessing, I noted flames starting at the engine compartment firewall, almost directly centered between right and left sides. Vehicle eventually became fully engulfed. Seems like that fire shouldn't have started a full 5 minutes after the engine had been shut off. Advised to report by State Farm as the loss prevention person also thought it was unusual, as did OSP and fire. Said they'd never seen a car burst into flames after a deer strike.
2024-06-07

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-06
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: JF2SKAJC6LH
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, a deer jumped in the roadway causing damage to the front driver-side engine compartment. No air bags had deployed. The contact had managed to pull onto the side of the road. The contact stated she and the front passenger exited the vehicle safely when shortly afterward a fire started in the front driver-side engine compartment. No injury was sustained. A police report was filed but was unavailable. The local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where it was then taken by the insurance company. The contact stated the insurance company had the vehicle in their possession for an investigation. The origin of the fire was unknown. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
2024-05-21

VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
  • VIN: JF2SKADC6LH
  • Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
  • Summary: In a three year period I have had to replace my windshield for cracks causing visibility issues. Each of these cracks have appeared for no apparent reason.
2024-05-19

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-19
  • VIN: JF2SKASC9LH
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
  • Summary: 2020 SUBARU FORESTER JUST HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEAR. THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION CODE IS P26A3, WHICH IS A DEFECTIVE THERMOSTATIC CONTROL VALVE. THIS MALFUNCTION ALSO AFFECTS THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS ADVANCED DRIVER ASSITANCE SYSTEMS SUCH AS: "EYESIGHT" BLIND SPOT MONITORING, LANE KEEP ASSIST, ETC. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 51,000 MILES ON IT.
2024-05-19

VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-13
  • VIN: JF2SKAMC4LH
  • Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
  • Summary: On Monday, 5/13/24, I got in my car and there was a crack across the windshield that was not there earlier in the day. It seems to have spontaneously cracked for no known reason.
2024-05-16

VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-04
  • VIN: JF2SKAUC8LH
  • Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
  • Summary: A crack in my windshield appeared during the 15 minutes my 2020 Subaru Forester was in parking lot while I was in a store. The ambient temperature was in the 70's, the car was facing away from the sun, and the windows were ventilating the inside. The crack starts at the passenger corner in the area of the defroster and runs all the way from the weatherstripping at an angle and length that it is directly in the field of view of the passenger. On a few occasions while driving since the incident I have heard expansion type crack sounds.
2024-05-15

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-14
  • VIN: JF2SKADC7LH
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving 40–45 MPH in the rain, the lower left corner of the front windshield cracked without impact. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
2024-05-14

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-03-04
  • VIN: JF2SKARC9LH
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: I bought a 2020 Subaru in March of 2020. I had reported an issue with the seat to the dealer Orange Coast Subaru and they had failed to diagnose or repair the issue. The issue was brought up to them several times and they only came to the car and looked quickly at the seat and told me it is fine without any in debt diagnostics. Looking and sitting in a seat wasn't in any shape or form diagnostics of the seat. Nobody looked under the seat or did a inspection beyond just looking and seating on it. Over the years the seat became woobly, unstable, it has cracked. I went for another issue to another dealer this time, Timmons of Long Beach, and paid a diagnostics fee to be told the frame needs to be replaced and it is a safety issue and has to be done asap. I had reached out to Subaru who advised the car is out of warranty. I pointed back to that the issue was reported to them and they said if it was not diagnosed as a failure then then it is unrelated to the issue found now. The seat is unsafe and it can result to injuries to myself and my son. Subaru doesn't want to take responsibility for it. The car has never been in an accident.
2024-04-29

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-03-06
  • VIN: JF2SKAUC4LH
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
  • Summary: The thermo valve leaked into connector, causing engine to shut down abruptly to prevent overheating. This happened at 70 mph on interstate highway in traffic. Part was replaced with modified thermo valve later. Barely able to coast to narrow shoulder flanked by deep ditch, with vehicle very close to interstate traffic, so much so that exit from vehicle ill-advised. After towing, vehicle was serviced by Subaru dealer. At time of part failure many warning lights & messages appeared, but not before the event.

Negative 2020 Subaru Forester car reviews

  1. Oral VonRueden 2024-06-05

    Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with the Forester Touring. While it provided comfortable and reliable transport, I found it a bit disappointing when driving in low speed urban settings. The CVT transmission is programmed to simulate stepped 'gear changes', which can make it difficult to modulate smooth power delivery in stop and go traffic or neighborhood settings, especially when you constantly need to vary vehicle speed between 15 and 30 MPH. Coasting down from 30 produces an excessive engine braking sensation, followed by a lunge as speed hits exactly 15 MPH. This might be due to an aggressive and under-damped torque converter lockup clutch. Additionally, once coasting down, a gentle throttle reapplication at 15 mph creates an occasional stumble sensation, then a light bucking as the speedometer passes through 20 MPH. While you might not notice this on a test drive, daily routines in urban conditions WILL reveal the jerky nature of this most unusually-programmed CVT. I hope this information is helpful to you!

  2. Mohammad Hirthe 2024-04-29

    As a first-time Subaru owner, I am really enjoying the visibility, space, and practicality of my new 2020 Subaru Forester. The gas mileage is also a huge plus. Despite what some professional reviews may say, I find that it is not as underpowered as they claim. While it may not be the fastest car out there, it certainly gets the job done. However, I have had some issues with interior rattles, and unfortunately, my vehicle has already been in the shop twice for this issue. Although the dealership has been great about fixing it, the fact that a new car has so many rattles is concerning and makes me worry about potential issues down the road. I will be scheduling a third visit soon to address this issue.

  3. Giuseppe Hammes 2024-02-26

    We own a 2017 Forester which has been a great car. Recently, we bought a 2020 Forester for my dear wife. Unfortunately, we have experienced some issues with this car. We encountered an OBD code P0717 at only 600 miles and the transmission is jerking in reverse. As a result, we are having the car towed to the dealer (under warranty) as we are afraid to drive it.

Positive 2020 Subaru Forester car reviews

  1. Torey Russel 2025-01-03

    When my wife and I were searching for a new vehicle, I initially didn't consider a Subaru Forrester due to my large stature (6'7

  2. Gerhard Pfannerstill 2024-11-13

    Just get it!! The Outback is wider and longer, while the Forester is higher inside. It drives great and the all-wheel drive hugs the road. I got the upgraded Navigation with a larger screen and upgraded stereo system. I love it!

  3. Narciso Senger 2024-10-28

    If you're looking for an SUV that doesn't feel like a tank, this is the perfect vehicle for you! It's safe, comfortable in all seats, and has plenty of buttons and gadgets to satisfy the tech-savvy person. Plus, it performs perfectly on the road and looks fantastic!

  4. Donnie Hill 2024-10-27

    I'm so happy that I was able to negotiate a great deal during the pandemic, including a 0% loan and a big discount. The new technology, comfort, and design are amazing and a huge improvement over my '02 Forester. I plan on keeping this car for a long time. I also want to give a shoutout to William's Subaru of Charlotte for providing an excellent overall experience. After 6 months, I'm even more impressed with the car - it gets an average gas mileage of 25.5 mph, has a smooth transmission, and provides a comfortable ride. It's definitely one of the best vehicles out there at a price point that won't break the bank!

  5. Abdiel McGlynn 2024-10-24

    The 2020 Subaru Forester is an excellent choice for those who prioritize safety. It boasts a range of safety features that are not commonly found in other SUVs in its class. Additionally, the Touring model comes standard with a moonroof, navigation system, and AWD. When compared to competing vehicles, like the BMW X1, the Subaru Forester Touring offers exceptional value for your money.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2020 Subaru Forester problems:

Advice when purchasing a used 2020 : r/SubaruForester
Advice when purchasing a used 2020 : r/SubaruForester
https://www.reddit.com/r/SubaruForester/comments/1777nwf/advice_when_purchasing_a_used_2020/

Oct 13, 2023 ... Watch out for thermo control valve issues. I got a 2020 Forester sport with 40 000 KM and after about 3-4 months when I turned the car on, I ...

2020 Subaru Forester Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
2020 Subaru Forester Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
https://www.vehiclehistory.com/report/subaru/forester/2020

Mar 15, 2023 ... Common problems with the 2020 Subaru Forester include cracked windshields, the battery draining in a few days, and the automatic tailgate ...

2020 Forester - Honest Review after 10k miles. : r/SubaruForester
2020 Forester - Honest Review after 10k miles. : r/SubaruForester
https://www.reddit.com/r/SubaruForester/comments/ll6lze/2020_forester_honest_review_after_10k_miles/

Feb 16, 2021 ... The car defaults to that radio station when turned on, and Sirius channel 0 is absolutely nothing at all. Problem solved, and I've never had it ...

2020 Subaru Forester Problems | Kelley Blue Book
2020 Subaru Forester Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/subaru/forester/2020/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2020 Subaru Forester? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 ...

('19+) - 2020 - Computer problems - SOLVED! | Subaru Forester ...
('19+) - 2020 - Computer problems - SOLVED! | Subaru Forester ...
https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/2020-computer-problems-solved.824143/

Apr 24, 2021 ... We have a 7 month old Subaru Forester with 5,000 miles sitting at Island Subaru for 13 days so far with computer problems the dealer cannot ...

Other years of Subaru Forester

subaru forester 2021 photo
Forester 2021
Subaru

156

0

28

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
subaru forester 2022 photo
Forester 2022
Subaru

70

1

21

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
subaru forester 2023 photo
Forester 2023
Subaru

43

1

22

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
subaru forester 2024 photo
Forester 2024
Subaru

9

2

22

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
subaru forester 1998 photo
Forester 1998
Subaru

112

1

25

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
subaru forester 1999 photo
Forester 1999
Subaru

141

1

30

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

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2020 Subaru Forester photo