2020 Subaru Forester problems
Owners have filed 807 complaints about the 2020 Subaru Forester with NHTSA. Visibility/wiper accounts for 31.2% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of electrical system at 12.4%.
Complaints807
Crashes46
Fires13
Injuries35
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Visibility/wiper 31.2% · 252
Unknown or other 13.3% · 107
Electrical system 12.4% · 100
Engine 9.3% · 75
Forward collision avoidance 7.1% · 57
Visibility 6.1% · 49
Power train 3.8% · 31
Lane departure 3.1% · 25
Severity
Of those complaints, 46 describe a crash, 13 describe a fire and 35 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 23 model years of the Subaru Forester in this data, 2020 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2019 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 186 in the last three years against 469 in the three before. The issues here may already have been addressed.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 6,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The SUV developed the long crack across its windshield (see attachment) while parked in garage. There was no impact to cause the disintegration. There was a minor "star" damage at the bottom of the windshield, approx. 3/4 - 1 inch wide, no ding, that had occurred some two weeks prior, that I was about to get repaired. The concern here is quality of the glass that is easily damaged and disintegrates without impact. Visibility/wiper
We very recently purchased this 2020 Forester....Less than 1000 miles. The vehicle was parked in my driveway and when we got in it the next morning the windshield had a small crack in it! I hope this isn't a sign of things to come, especially after reading the posts on here of 2019 foresters with windshield problems. I took it straight to a windshield repair company and had it repaired before the crack got worse. Visibility/wiper · reported at 800 miles
Another chip in the windshield. This is the third chip in a month period, less than 4000 miles on a brand new car. Had to have the chip and line/run fixed by a certified repair person who even questioned why he had fixed the vehicle now 3 times! I was driving down the street to the grocery store, which is less than 5 miles away round trip and the chip happened. Nothing hit the windshield, no rocks, nothing. Visibility/wiper · reported at 3,500 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…