2020 Subaru Forester Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 603 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,698miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2020 Subaru Forester, 1% of the 603 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,698 miles.
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.
“The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 35-38 MPH in cold weather, the temperature gauge indicated that the vehicle temperature was cold. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the Forward Collision Avoidance system, the Lane Keep Assist, the Auto START/STOP feature, the cruise control mode, and other unknown features no longer operable messages were displayed. Additionally, the vehicle shifted into Sport (S) mode. The contact was able to drive to her residence. …”
NHTSA complaint #11513406, filed 2023-03, 47,000 miles“The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated after starting the vehicle and shifting to drive(D) or reverse(R). The contact stated that the engine temperature gauge indicated that the engine was “COLD” even after she had driven the vehicle approximately 30 minutes. The contact stated that the heater no longer worked as intended and only blew out cold air. …”
NHTSA complaint #11490232, filed 2022-10, 65,000 miles“The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle started to lose motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where the vehicle then stalled. The vehicle was restarted approximately 15 minutes later. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the thermal control valve and electric water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11532338, filed 2023-07, 13,000 miles“The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and then stalled. The driver was able to pull over safely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to the thermal control valve and produced DTC codes: P2682 and P26A. The mechanic replaced the cooling gasket and coolant control valve and added coolant. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and assisted with the repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #11598271, filed 2024-07, 52,395 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10253930Apr 4, 2024This bulletin announces the extended warranty coverage for the Thermo Control valve (TCV) used the the models listed. The coverage will be extended to (15) fifteen years /…
- 10253903Apr 1, 2024This bulletin announces availability of a new thermo control valve assembly. The new valve contains an enhanced stainless steel internal shaft for optimized durability along with…
- 10251098Feb 6, 2024This bulletin addresses limited cases of engine speed drop when the engine is restarted with the auto start/stop function. Updated software available for the Transmission Control…
- 10251094Feb 5, 2024This bulletin addresses rare cases of engine surg or jolting when the operator releases the accelerator from half-throttle.
- 10249609Jan 11, 2024This bulletin announces diagnostic procedures and availability of new Engine Control Module (ECM) reprogramming files to address DTC P2404 (Evap System Leak Detection Pump Sense…
- 10249595Jan 4, 2024"This bulletin announces availability of new reprograming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) developed to remedy engine DTCs."
- 10246083Nov 7, 2023This Service Information Bulletin announces diagnostic service procedures to be followed when DTC P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1) is detected by the…
- 10244906Oct 9, 2023This 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 cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 4 | 1% |
| 2019 | 5 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2015 | 5 | 1% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 7 | 5% |
| 2010 | 6 | 2% |
| 2009 | 12 | 7% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 6 | 8% |
| 2006 | 11 | 13% |
| 2005 | 7 | 8% |
| 2004 | 16 | 7% |
| 2003 | 19 | 10% |
| 2002 | 14 | 16% |
| 2001 | 16 | 12% |
| 2000 | 12 | 16% |
| 1999 | 25 | 19% |
| 1998 | 14 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2020 Subaru Forester
301 complaintsOther or unknown
108 complaintsElectrical system
103 complaintsEngine
81 complaintsForward collision avoidance
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
32 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsLane departure
22 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsAir bags
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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