Fifth generation (SK)
2020 Subaru Forester
The most reported problem on the 2020 Subaru Forester is windshield, with 301 complaints, usually around 6,000 miles.
- 601owner complaints
- 0recalls
- 26involved a crash
- 7,100median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 19, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Forester doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2020 model year.
Is the 2020 Subaru Forester reliable?
The 2020 Subaru Forester has 601 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 2.6 times the median of 233 for 2020 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Forester model years since 2014, it has the 3rd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2019 and 2021
- Complaints ease off across these three model years. Counted per year on the road, the 2019 draws 104, the 2020 86 and the 2021 34.
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: windshield, named in 301 of the 601 complaints (50%). Windshield tends to show up early. Of the 193 owners who gave a mileage for it, half were under about 6,000 miles and a quarter under about 3,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 31 of the 601 complaints (5%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 26 reports mention a crash, 9 mention a fire and 16 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- There's no recall on file for this model year, so the problems above are owner complaints with no campaign behind them.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2021 at 171 and have dropped every year since, to 28 in 2025. So far in 2026, 17 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: windshield cracks or distorts, 301 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
601 complaints is 2.7 times the median 2020 model on this site and 2.6 times the median 2020 SUV. Among the 12 Forester model years here it ranks 3rd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2020 Subaru Forester
Subaru filed 472 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2020 Subaru Forester. 27 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Windshield cracks or distorts 2 bulletins · 301 complaints
This announcement is in regard to settlement in a class action lawsuit for vehicles that will receive a limited warranty extension for original equipment Subaru windshields experiencing a qualifying crack.
This bulletin announces a design change made to the rubber protector located between the top edge of the rear gate garnish and the glass.
Battery dies or the car will not start 3 bulletins · 54 complaints
Subaru Battery Drain Product Liability Litigation.
Battery Drain Class Action Settlement- Warranty Extension Training.
1 more on this problem
Announcement to Subaru Retailers regarding the preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit regarding battery drain in certain Subaru vehicles.
Check engine light or misfire 8 bulletins · 30 complaints
This bulletin announces the design change made to the high-pressure fuel pump developed to prevent DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure – Too Low Bank 1). (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
This bulletin announces the availability of new oxygen sensors developed to address the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) detected by the Engine Control Module: • P0137: O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage Bank 1 Sensor 2 • P0138: O2 Sensor Circuit High ...
6 more on this problem
This bulletin announces the availability of new oxygen sensors developed to address the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs);
This Service Information Bulletin announces diagnostic service procedures to be followed when DTC P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1) is detected by the Engine Control Module (ECM).
This bulletin provides a new flow chart and additional diagnostic tools to assist technicians with troubleshooting DTC P0841- SECONDARY OIL PRESSURE SENSOR PERFORMANCE.
This bulletin announces the availability of NEW reprogramming files to correct DTC P0128.
This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files to optimize the Engine Control Module (ECM) for hard starting in sub-freezing temperatures, DTC P0400, and surging in high altitudes.
This Bulletin provides information regarding DTC P0606 related specifically to the determination of this code on Forester Turbo and applicable WRX models.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 10 bulletins · 19 complaints
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
This bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for Harman Infotainment Systems when DTC B2255 is detected. This update should prevent unnecessary replacement of the head unit or USB cable.
8 more on this problem
This Service Bulletin is to inform you of the diagnosis procedure of the Harman Infotainment System when DTC B2255 is detected.
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
This bulletin provides helpful information about operating conditions observed in the field for Technicians to use when diagnosing customer concerns which may arise while operating Harman Gen 3.0 and 3.1 Navigation and Display Audio systems.
This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns of the Navigation systemâs functionality.
This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing a customer concern of the display screen being either frozen (unresponsive) or black (blank).
This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to use when diagnosing concerns of the Apple CarPlay and / or Android Auto feature not connecting or launching properly when a compatible device is connected to the head unit.
This Service Information bulletin provides a procedure to use for addressing a customer concern of a delayed or slow response when using the soft keys on the touch screen of the audio / navigation head unit.
This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns involving Bluetooth (BT) functionality.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 2 bulletins · 13 complaints
This bulletin announces availability of a Vehicle Dynamics Control Module (VDC) reprogramming file to address DTC B2809 & B2C22.
This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been developed to reduce unnecessary brake caliper replacement.
Engine overheats or leaks coolant 1 bulletin · 13 complaints
This Bulletin announces the Service Manual Correction for the diagnostic procedures to be followed when performing diagnostic repairs for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P26A6 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve “A” Position Sensor Circuit Low) and P26A7 (Engine ...
Car won't start 1 bulletin · 9 complaints
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.This is an revised ...
Complaints filed by year
171 complaints came in 2021. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2020 Subaru Forester
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
No recalls on file for this model year.
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2020 Subaru Forester?
Windshield, with 301 of the 601 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 6,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2020 Subaru Forester problems start?
Of the 289 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 3,000 miles and half by about 7,000.
Is the 2020 Subaru Forester better or worse than the 2019 and 2021?
Counted per year on the road, the 2020 has fewer complaints than the 2019 and more complaints than the 2021: 86 a year against 104 and 34.
How many 2020 Subaru Forester complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
31 of them (5%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for windshield on the 2020 Subaru Forester?
No recall on file for the 2020 Subaru Forester is on the same system as windshield. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.