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Fuel systemPart report

2020 Subaru Forester Fuel system Problems

Complaints
14about this part
Share
2%of 604 total for the year
Median mileage
24,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the fuel system of the 2020 Subaru Forester, 2% of the 604 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 24,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 4 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.

“Both my wife and I have run out of gas on this vehicle which has less than 5,000 miles on it. The low gas indicator is limited to a brief warning in the screen behind the steering wheel. We both find this very easy to miss and there is no persistent visual or auditory warning. Running out of gas unexpectedly is an extreme safety hazard, we were lucky to avoid being rear ended, but had to park at some risk. Neither of us can recall running out of gas in our other vehicles for over 20 years.”

NHTSA complaint #11415920, filed 2021-05, 3,000 miles

“The car was parked and idling for a few minutes as a passenger exited the vehicle. While parked, the car began to shake slightly, it was then placed in reverse to get out of the parking space. Still shaking. When it was put in gear to go forward, the car began to accelerate on its own. The driver was able to use the brake to stop the vehicle but, when she took her foot off the brake to make a left turn and towards the park exit, the vehicle accelerated abruptly, and the car surged towards a main road. …”

NHTSA complaint #11463407, filed 2022-05, 45,000 miles

“While driving my girfriend's 2020 Subaru Forester on August 11, 2026 at approximately 65 to 70 mph, I struck a deer on a highway. The airbags deployed immediately, and I temporarily lost all forward visibility due to the airbag deploy, and smoke or steam coming from the front of the vehicle as it decelerated to a stop. Within moments of stopping, smoke transitioned to visible flames coming from the engine compartment. The fire spread extremely quickly, and the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames within minutes. …”

NHTSA complaint #11756381, filed 2026-08

“A week after my routine oil changed at 31K, the check engine light along with flashing s pop up. The next day the check engine disappeared. I was some what happy and continue to drive car as normal for 2 days, then check engine light came back again and this time is staying for good. I just can't believed that 4 years old car is having this issue. I've owned so many cars prior to this 2020 Subaru Forester, never once that those cars have problems like this one. I feel that i'm at risk driving without no eyesight or collision prevention warning.. …”

NHTSA complaint #11606639, filed 2024-08

“Much like the 2018 Outback issue I had, my 2020 Forester is having the same issue with fuel indication inaccuracy and mpg increasing when fuel level gets under a quarter of a tank. My local Suburu dealership said this is not an issue for this model. I have reported this to Suburu as well. Previously, Subaru found that the software that controls the fuel system can cause the fuel gauge to show that there is still fuel left in the tank when there isn’t. More specifically, the low fuel warning light may not actually come on, and the miles to empty display could be inaccurate. …”

NHTSA complaint #11506728, filed 2023-02

Related service bulletins

Fuel system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202639%
20251717%
202323%
202288%
202173%
2020142%
2019223%
2018214%
2017112%
2016246%
2015579%
2014215%
201323%
201288%
201153%
2010135%
2009106%
200836%
20071216%
20061315%
20052224%
200412457%
20035730%
20021113%
2001107%
200068%
199954%
199855%

Other parts of the 2020 Subaru Forester

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
301 complaints
Other or unknown
108 complaints
Electrical system
103 complaints
Engine
82 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
44 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
32 complaints
Vehicle speed control
24 complaints
Lane departure
22 complaints
Body and structure
15 complaints
Brakes
14 complaints
Air bags
11 complaints
Steering
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