2020 Subaru Forester reliability
NHTSA's file on the 2020 Subaru Forester holds 600 complaints after 7 years, a rate of 136 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Forester years here — over the median of the other years, which is 28. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
600
136
0
7
The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (252 of 600), then Electrical system (102) and Engine (80). Those filings include 26 that report a crash, 9 that report a fire, and 13 that report an injury.
The 2019 Forester has 833 complaints, 175 per year, and the 2021 has 207 complaints, 44 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.
The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2020 Subaru Forester. How we count. Data as of .
Recalls (0)
No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.
Complaints by component (600 total)
Show 16 more Show less
26
9
13
0
Complaints filed per year
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
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"Smoke and fire occurred in the engine and spread into the car while the car was being driven. The car has not been inspected yet."
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"Three times within 30 minutes on short drive, the engine stalled at stop sign or stop light. The car had a half tank of gas, and at the same time as the engine stalled, the miles remaining until empty display showed an…"
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"Component/System Defect: Failed Thermo Control Valve (TCV) leading to sudden vehicle power loss / limp mode. Description of Safety Incident: While operating my vehicle at highway speeds late at night, the Thermo Control…"
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"Car stalls when it shouldn't i.e. when stopped at traffic light Transmission Control Module (TCM) Software Issue"
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"24th February 2020 - Bought the car from Subaru dealer. Couple of service records prior to May 24, 2022. - May 24, 2022 (9,037 miles) | RO# 806326: The lower oil pan leaked prematurely and had to be completely replaced…"
NHTSA crash ratings
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 4 stars |
Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.
Fuel economy
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester all-wheel drive | 2.5L, 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | All-wheel drive | 26 | 33 | 29 MPG | $2250 |
Specs and fitment
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA safety recall 21V263000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach. Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-21. When NHTSA lists multiple Subaru nameplates in one campaign, the published unit count is shared across them.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Subaru Forester reliable?
NHTSA's file on the 2020 Subaru Forester holds 600 complaints after 7 years, a rate of 136 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Forester years here — over the median of the other years, which is 28. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
What are common problems with a 2020 Subaru Forester?
The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (252 of 600), then Electrical system (102) and Engine (80). Those filings include 26 that report a crash, 9 that report a fire, and 13 that report an injury.
Is the 2020 Subaru Forester more reliable than the years next to it?
The 2019 Forester has 833 complaints, 175 per year, and the 2021 has 207 complaints, 44 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.
Has the 2020 Subaru Forester been recalled?
NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2020 Subaru Forester.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Subaru Forester?
Owners have filed 600 complaints about the 2020 Subaru Forester with NHTSA.
What mpg does a 2020 Subaru Forester get?
EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2020 Subaru Forester is 29 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.
What engine oil does a Subaru Forester use?
0W-20 synthetic (2.5L; 5W-30 if 0W-20 unavailable)
What does NHTSA recall 19V-007 cover on the Subaru Forester?
NHTSA safety recall 19V007000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that subaru of America, Inc.
What generation is the 2013 Subaru Forester?
3rd generation (SH) (2012-2013).