2020 Subaru Forester Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 2%of 604 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the brakes of the 2020 Subaru Forester, 2% of the 604 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On 11/18/2023, as soon as I started the vehicle, put it in reverse and let off the brake to back down the driveway, the car made a loud unfamiliar noise (like bzzzzzt) and suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated on its own. Nothing worked, brakes, automatic gear shift, gas pedal, and steering were all disengaged. It was terrifying to me and I was worried about anyone or anything behind me. …”
NHTSA complaint #11575411, filed 2024-03, 26,050 miles“I was driving up an empty suburban road at 25 MPH when the brakes suddenly went off, causing the car to skid to a stop. The dashboard screen said the pre-collision emergency braking system was activated. There was nothing in the road and no reason for the car to stop suddenly. Thank god I wasn't on the highway - this is extremely dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11405177, filed 2021-03, 5,000 miles“I was driving my 2020 Subaru Forester sport in the left lane along an on-ramp to the highway, which consists of a road that curves to the right. There was snow on the ground but the roads were clear and dry. Suddenly and in a matter of a few seconds, the car began to beep continuously while the steering wheel veered to the left and locked, and the anti-lock brake system kicked in as I tried to correct the wheel and brake the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11289740, filed 2019-12, 600 miles“On the morning of october 1, 2020, I pulled the car out of my garage. I was the only occupant,. The car was parked facing the wall, on the opposite side of the garage door, and I had to back out of the garage into my driveway, putting the car in reverse. I then had to turn right, into my driveway leading to the street. After I shifted the gear from reverse into drive, the car started moving forward spontaneously, and I was unable to stop it, nor steer the steering wheel. My right foot was on the brake pedal, but I was unable to stop the vehicle. The brake pedal felt hard and would not go down. …”
NHTSA complaint #11383225, filed 2020-12, 10,000 miles“I have a 2020 subaru forester with low mileage. A few weeks ago, I started to move forward when the traffic light turned green. There is a car in front of me that started to move forward. There was another car perpendicular to my right. I started to apply the gas, and the car fought me and was appying the brakes. I saw no reason for the car to brake. This concerns me. I was on dry pavement in daylight. I fear if this had happened when the roads were covered with ice or snow, it could have caused me to spin out.”
NHTSA complaint #11485937, filed 2022-09Related service bulletins
- 11008284Sep 30, 2024This bulletin announces availability of a Vehicle Dynamics Control Module (VDC) reprogramming file to address DTC B2809 & B2C22.
- 11002725Jun 25, 2024This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 6 | 6% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 6 | 8% |
| 2022 | 11 | 11% |
| 2021 | 7 | 3% |
| 2020 | 14 | 2% |
| 2019 | 26 | 3% |
| 2018 | 14 | 3% |
| 2017 | 15 | 3% |
| 2016 | 29 | 7% |
| 2015 | 36 | 6% |
| 2014 | 31 | 8% |
| 2013 | 9 | 12% |
| 2012 | 16 | 15% |
| 2011 | 20 | 14% |
| 2010 | 37 | 14% |
| 2009 | 16 | 9% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 4 | 5% |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 8% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% |
| 2002 | 11 | 13% |
| 2001 | 16 | 12% |
| 1999 | 19 | 14% |
| 1998 | 15 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2020 Subaru Forester
301 complaintsOther or unknown
108 complaintsElectrical system
103 complaintsEngine
82 complaintsForward collision avoidance
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
32 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsLane departure
22 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsSteering
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology