NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Subaru Forester. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that she noticed a fracture on the windshield on the passenger side of the vehicle that was caused without impact. The vehicle was taken to a body shop and it was stated that there was no impact found. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed no recall or coverage for the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.
Lane Keep Assist Feature The lane keep assist feature seems, in general, to over steer causing sway back and forth across the lane. While I find this bothersome, Most recently, at highway speed, the lane keep assist pulled the car (suddenly and somewhat violently) onto an exit ramp rather than holding the right lane. No one was hurt. No damage occurred. I was able to yank the wheel back to the lane with the entire incident over in less and a second. Safety at risk? highway speed with unanticipated veer of intended path. It was good that traffic was quite light. I have not reported this to the dealer. No special warnings other than that the system "worked".
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that a crack had formed in the middle upper part of the windshield without impact. The contact stated that the crack obstructed her vision while driving. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The windshield was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 12,500.
for no reason my windshield randomly cracked inside my garage, prior to the discovery the car had not been driven in several days.
Purchased new on 5/22/2020. On Aug 8th after not driving the car for 3 days, attempted to start vehicle. Would not start. Battery dead. Charged battery with a jump. Drove car home. Next am. Car would not start. Battery dead. Currently trying to get car in for service. This is very dangerous stranding people randomly.
Windshield cracked out of nowhere. It was parked and just showed up to a cracked windshield
We were driving about 50 mph on a paved road in the suburbs of a city when suddenly we heard a "pop" and saw a chip in the passenger side of our windshield. No other cars were around us at the time and it was an open road (e.g., we did not drive under an overpass). We don't know how the chip occurred. We continued driving and then parked the car in our garage. Four days later, with the car still in the garage, we discovered the chip had grown into a more than 20-inch crack horizontally on the passenger side of the car. We have been in touch with our insurance company and they have recommended a specific auto glass company to repair it. But we've been told it'll take 4 weeks or more to receive the replacement windshield and recalibrate it. We have since learned from searching the Internet that cracking windshields on Subaru models is a common complaint among Subaru owners.
2020 Subaru Forester windshield cracked, for no apparent reason, while parked overnight on my driveway. No objects impacted the windshield.
I have had four cracked windshields since I took possession of the car in October 2020. August 2021, October 2021, April 2022, April 2022
2020 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEMI OPAGUE WINDSHIELD CAUSING ISSUES WITH VISIBILTY ON DARK ROADS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.
Was just sitting in my car and the windshield just started cracking very quickly. Nothing hit it.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and unattended, the contact became aware that the front windshield had cracked from the top without impact. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the front windshield developed a crack at the center of the windshield by the rear-view mirror mount. During the incident no object had contacted the windshield to cause the damage. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,000.
While driving back home from Sacramento to San Diego, my windshield cracked for no reason and with time it increased. I am 100% sure that no pebble from road hit the windshield. I went to the dealership and they didn’t report me that windshield had defect but issued me a quote of approx $1900.
My car shut down while stopped at a traffic light. Several dashboard lights flashed or lit up, including the battery indicator, the EyeSight indicator said it was turned off, and many others I don’t know. It felt as if the battery had died. The car was in standby mode while stopped and the air conditioning was running. The car stalled and died when I took my foot off the brake to drive. The battery has died 6 times in the past year. If the door was ajar, the hatch left open, or the engine turned off while parked in drive, the battery was dead the next day. If it’s left overnight with the emergency flashers on, the battery is dead the next day. This is too many for a brand new car. I’ve already bought a brand new battery after the first one died. What do I have to do to keep the battery alive? I’m a Lyft driver, and thankful this issue didn’t leave a rider and me stranded many miles from home.
I was in a parking lot at the time driving very slowly to pick a spot. When I went to turn right into the spot my car accelerated at an alarming speed. I had not control over it as it kept turning. It hit the car parked in front of my space pushing it and went on to hit the car parked to the right damaging both the front left and right sides of my vehicle and the 2 parked cars before coming to a stop. Fortunately it was 9am and not very crowded, there were no passengers in both vehicles and no one walking in between or by the cars which could have been tragic. I was wearing a seatbelt. The police were called and completed a report. The Subaru dealership was called and Subaru of America was called. The car was inspected by a Bosch.-EAA representative for Subaru on 8/4/2021. I have not heard back from Subaru so far although I was told it could take several weeks. There were no warning lights prior to the incident but afterwards there were several warning lights on. A few months before I got into my car and the radio was blaring and constantly switching channels and I was not able to turn the radio off. When I got home and turned off the car and turned the ignition back on 30 minutes later it had stopped. We notified the incident to Subaru at the next oil change. I immediately notified USSA car insurance and filed a claim. I have not had the damages assessed for repair because I have to wait for the inspection results from Subaru. I felt it was important to document this incident in case other 2020 Forester owners have experienced the same thing. Frightening.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the windshield cracked without impact. The contact had the vehicle repaired however, shortly afterward the issue recurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,195.
A small rock hit my windshield and seemed to crack it WAY more easily than it should have. I Was researching cost to replace it and found the information about the lawsuit and the fact that it applies to my year of Subaru. So I decided to file a complaint to be included in the lawsuit.
Windshield Repeated problem - windshield gets hit by a small rock and immediately cracks the whole windshield. It's becoming a regular replacement. I can't imagine if getting hit by something larger or being in an accident. Researching the problem, I found many others with the same experience.
Windshield got broken after 9k miles.
Have a few chips in windshield. They happen very easily so I googled and found that it's a known issue with a lawsuit. I just bought the car on July 2.
Windshield on this Subaru Forester cracked severely shortly after purchasing the car. This happened in the driveway while parked. Nothing hit the glass.
I tried to unlock my car but the remote didnt work- I had to use the blank key inside the remote to get in the car. I couldn't start the car- my husband tried to jump it- that did not work- I called AAA they tried jumping it - that didnt work-- AAA told me the battery was good but totally out of charge 0%-- I called the subaru salesman I bought the car from & he walked me thru alot of steps & we couldn't find anything wrong besides the battery!! he told me to have my husband try to give me a jump again & after 4 hours the car turned over! What caused it????? no idea??? the next day (7/5/21) I took it to an auto parts store & they tested it out- alternator-perfect--- battery @ 550 with the max 620--- today I read an article about Subaru batteries failing! well mine did for no apparent reason--- maybe they should all be recalled!! I missed my 1st day of vacation due to this!!
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while approaching the vehicle, he noticed that the front windshield was cracked on the center driver’s side. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,566.
Windshield cracked without cause overnight while car was not being driven. Stress crack emanating from the bottom edge where the defroster element for the windshield wipers is located ending in about the center of the windshield. Dealer inspected and could not find an impact point.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while attempting to park at a rest stop, the vehicle independently accelerated while the brake pedal was depressed. As a result, the vehicle ran into a stone wall. The front end of the vehicle was severely damaged. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a sore neck as a result of the crash but medical attention was not required. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a body shop. The vehicle was not diagnosed but was in the process of being repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.
CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND IT WAS NOT HIT BY A STONE/DEBRIS. CAUSED IMPAIRED VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING.
Windshield cracked
The vehicle was parked for about 30 minutes. When returning to the vehicle, the windshield had a large crack. We contacted our insurance company and a repair was set up for 07/06/2021. Our deductible for the repair was $250. I have since read that the 2020 Forester is included in a recall for windshields on this model. My Subaru dealer customer service stated it is not included in this recall. Can you please give some guidance in this matter?
I received a small chip on my windshield that overnight has developed into several cracks that span the entire windshield. What should have been fixable by a professional windshield repair service will require the entire windshield to be replaced and eyesight system will need to be recalibrated.
Windshield crack from unknown source, crack expanded while technician tried to repair. Required complete windshield replacement .
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, she noticed a crack starting to form at the center bottom of the windshield and continued to expand up the windshield. The contact stated the crack was not caused by an impact. The contact called and made the local dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
On June 4, 2021 me and my famliy went for a 3 days road trip from Cirlce Pines Minnesota going to Duluth MN . The drive was approximately 2hrs plus. 12 mins. before we reached our destination the windshield suddenly showed a crack about 12 inches out from no where and blocks my visibility while driving. I went to my car dealer on 6/8/21 at Morries Subaru brooklyn park and asked for a replacement warranty but they denied it. 2020 forester windshields is so Dangerous because even a small rock will make it crack and blocks clear visibility while driving. This is happening to more and more subaru cars with eyesight technology. NHTSA should investigate if there is manufacturing defect or engineering defect with this windshield for a safer road and driving experience. I have a dashcam video of the said incident. I am more willing to submit it for your reference.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked inside the garage, when he noticed there was a crack on the windshield. There was no impact to the windshield that could have caused the crack. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000.
Battery is completely drained and I was unable to commute. Vehicle picked by Subaru roadside assistance to nearest dealer (Victor Subaru)
Battery will not hold a charge. Battery frequently needs to be recharged. Bought a portable jumper, to ensure vehicle will start away from home where the battery would otherwise be charged in the garage.
Windshield cracked for no reason. I can not get dealer service department to answer the phone Subaru of Macon Ga. I parked my car and two hours I found the windshield cracked. I starts below the windshield wiper on passengers side and goes up and to the middle of the car. It is below the level of the hood of the car.
Subaru Cracked Windshield
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that there was a small chip present on the front windshield. Overnight, a large crack had developed on the windshield. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000.
Driving down the highway and the windshield cracks and the cracks keeps getting longer.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the windshield was cracked at the bottom of the windshield near the windshield wipers. The crack started to expand upwards. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that a special recall for the failure had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000.
Windshield cracked for no reason
Windshield cracked without any impact from an object
purchased new vehicle 10/23/19, 1st battery failure 6/15/2 jumped and ok 2nd battery failure 12/4/20 jumped, Subaru replaced battery 3rd battery failure 2/16/21, Subaru said battery was "fine" 4th battery failure 3/31/21 Subaru replaced battery 5th battery failure 5/14/21, appt with Subaru on 5/21/21
Windshield randomly has a long crack in it. Zero signs of any initial rock impact or chip that would of caused it. I parked it at work with no cracks or anything on the windshield. Then came to my car after work and there was long crack. No signs of impacts.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITH NO CAUSE. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH NO CARS AHEAD.
Subaru eyesight technology has a pre collision feature along with lane departure feature. Latter can be turned off permanently, the pre-collision feature cannot. Number of instances where this has malfunctioned in a way that is unsafe. Driving in upstate NY on foggy morning, winding hilly roads, 50mph roads. Road had a driveway with a parked car not moving, parked and the pre collision system tried to break, so slowed down the car but there was another coming behind from a hilly turn, not aware I would suddenly slow, especially as I did not anticipate the car would try to put on breaks on its own for a parked unmoving car. No collision resulted fortunately, but unsafe if the car behind had not been able to slow to accomodate for the faulty detection by subaru’s eyesight, thinking the parked unmoving car was a sudden stopping vehicle in front of me, when the winding road was actually clear for me to continue driving. Another incident on another road where a series of 4-5 cars driving constant speed, fixed distance from each other, then first car signalled to turn right and stopped; cars behind just went around them slightly as they were waiting to turn, and I was going to follow suit, the train of cars in front of me, when suddenly eyesight pre collision detected that turning vehicle as something to try to brake for, and the car behind me did not expect the sudden breaking attempt to slow down, and again, close call, no collision resulted but unsafe when the human driver was expecting to continue along with the other train of cars and not expecting a sudden stop. I have called subaru both dealership and main office but informed there is no way to permanently disable the pre collision setting in the car. Concerned that if this feature is on, and erroneously detects an object in front, such as that parked unmoving car, in other situations the cars behind me may not be able to accomodate the attempts at sudden breaking by the subaru eyesight technology. Dangerous.
1IN TO 2FT LONG CRACKS ARE BEING CREATED ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD AT THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT OF ANY SMALL PEBBLES. WINDSHIELD IS EXTREMELY EASILY COMPROMISED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN A SMALL PEBBLE HIT THE WINDSHIELD, INSTANTLY CREATING A 2FT LONG CRACK ACROSS IT. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS ALSO ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE IN MOTION, WHEN ANOTHER SMALL PEBBLE IMPACTED THE WINDSHIELD, INSTANTLY CREATING A 1 INCH CRACK.
Windshield cracked within 1year of owning the vehicle while driving along the freeway.
MY WINDSHIELD IS CRACKING FROM THE TOP DOWN BEHIND THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FOR NO APPARENT REASON, NO ROCK DENT , NO IMPACT , THE VEHICLE WAS IN MY WORK PARKING LOT AND I NOTICED THE CRACK UPON LEAVING WORK AT 4 PM, DROVE TO WORK AT 8 AM WAS DAYLIGHT AND NO VISIBLE CRACK NOTICED