2020 Subaru Forester · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 30owner reports
- 51,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Dec 30, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
155 of the 601 complaints on this car are about the engine. 30 of those describe misfire.
Tick what matches of 30 reports
Misfire on other Forester years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2020 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 35,600 and 65,000 miles, from the 9 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 8 service bulletins or notices for the 2020 Subaru Forester that deal with this problem. 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.
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 ...
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).
4 more on the 2020 Subaru Forester page.
What owners wrote
“the [S] is constantly blinking, the check engine light On, the temperature light is on as cold, and the eye sight and anti collision is off.”
Filed Mar 3, 2025
“I was driving to work and many of my warning lights suddenly came on. This includes my check engine light, my lane assist light, my auto collision braking, my eye sight disabled and my cool engine light keeps going on and off. My cabin heating also isnât working. There is no reason for this happening other than my thermo control valve failing.”
Filed Apr 27, 2024
“Started engine after parking and check engine light came on, eyesight disabled, and flashing âsâ. Stopped driving and took vehicle to dealer. Diagnosed as thermo control unit. Told they didnât have a loaner and was safe to drive for a few days. Has no heat and engine would not warm up. No safety systems. Retained 3 days later to dealer when loaner was available. Repaired under powertrain warranty.”
Filed Feb 11, 2024
“I started the car to make a trip to town to run some errands. When I cranked the engine the Check Engine light came on. The S for Sport Mode was flashing and a No Eyesight warning came on. Also SRS Side Airbag light came on to indicate it was not working. And another light came on showing a car going out of its lane, but I don't know if it was the Lane Keep Assist light or not.”
Filed Jan 29, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 30 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Windshield cracks or distorts 301 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 54 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 47 reports