2020 Subaru Forester Forward collision avoidance Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 7%of 604 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,200miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2020 Subaru Forester, 7% of the 604 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,200 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“My vehicle was parked at my place of employment, I exiting my work and got in the vehicle and noticed a chip in the windshield that was not previously there. I drove straight home, after parking in the garage the windshield then began to crack and spider out”
NHTSA complaint #11386234, filed 2021-01, 6,000 miles“2/17/2021 - honda accord going north on lynchburg turnpike ran a stoplight (going about 30 in a 25 mpg zone) trying to turn west onto east main st. In salem, va ... Bounced opposite curb, cut west and swerved (oversteer) and came head on into my stationary 2020 Forester. Our light had just turned green and we were about to move forward when the honda came out into the intersection. My wife was driving and I was a passenger. I was taken to er and seen by several doctors and am undergoing pt for the next 5 weeks.”
NHTSA complaint #11399587, filed 2021-03, 5,200 miles“12/16/2020 driving. 3:30 pm daytime. Clear weather. Divided highway. Approx 50 MPH. No vehicle in front of car for at least a quarter mile. Car initiated sudden stop mode nearly causing a severe rear end collision (avoided by approaching driver going into median)”
NHTSA complaint #11383803, filed 2020-12, 4,000 miles“Driving on straight multi-lane highway ~2:00 pm in the daytime at ~55 MPH; clear, dry weather, dry road. No vehicles or obstructions of any kind in front of vehicle, fortunately no vehicles behind. Automatic emergency braking system triggered fully without any warning, bringing car to sudden stop in high speed travel lane; could have caused severe rear end collision had there been anyone behind. Engine continued to run, vehicle would not move until after shifting into park and back into drive. Subaru could find no reason for erroneous sudden stop function.”
NHTSA complaint #11399133, filed 2021-03, 9,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11023536Sep 30, 2025In the interest of customer satisfaction Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage in the models listed. The extension will address…
- 11021263Jul 29, 2025This announcement provides information about a Subaru of America, Inc. preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit regarding the EyeSight system in certain Subaru vehicles.
Forward collision avoidance: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 22% |
| 2025 | 13 | 13% |
| 2024 | 5 | 16% |
| 2023 | 13 | 18% |
| 2022 | 15 | 15% |
| 2021 | 17 | 8% |
| 2020 | 44 | 7% |
| 2019 | 43 | 5% |
| 2018 | 8 | 2% |
| 2017 | 8 | 1% |
| 2016 | 8 | 2% |
| 2015 | 8 | 1% |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2020 Subaru Forester
301 complaintsOther or unknown
108 complaintsElectrical system
103 complaintsEngine
82 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
32 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsLane departure
22 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsBrakes
14 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 28, 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