Are there open safety recalls?
None
No open recalls, but there’s an open government investigation — check nhtsa.gov.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2020 Subaru Forester has no open NHTSA safety recalls on file, 600 owner complaints, and gets about 29 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2020 Subaru Forester
- Engine 4-cyl 2.5L
- Drive All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
16 injuries reported
16 of 600 reports (~3%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
5 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2020.
- 20183recalls
- 20193recalls
- 2020 · this car0recalls
- 20210recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked September 24, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 5 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane-departure warning
- Standard
Tested as: 2020 Subaru Forester SUV AWD
Open safety recalls
A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
No open safety recalls on file for this year and model.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked September 24, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2020.
- 2018495reports
- 2019833reports
- 2020 · this car600reports
- 2021207reports
600 owner reports on file
26 crash mentions 9 fire mentions 16 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 600 total reports.
- VISIBILITY/WIPER 238 of 600
As I was driving my 2020 Subaru Forester a cracked suddenly appeared across the driver side of the windshield, possibly from a small pebble. The sunlight reflection off the crack sent blinding sunlight into my eyes which nearly caused a c
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 97 of 600
Smoke and fire occurred in the engine and spread into the car while the car was being driven. The car has not been inspected yet.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 85 of 600
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
- VISIBILITY 49 of 600
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact became aware of a 7-inch crack at the bottom of the windshield near the driver’s side pillar running horizontally. The contact state
- ENGINE 30 of 600
Three times within 30 minutes on short drive, the engine stalled at stop sign or stop light. The car had a half tank of gas, and at the same time as the engine stalled, the miles remaining until empty display showed an anomalous 0.3miles to
- POWER TRAIN 30 of 600
Component/System Defect: Failed Thermo Control Valve (TCV) leading to sudden vehicle power loss / limp mode. Description of Safety Incident: While operating my vehicle at highway speeds late at night, the Thermo Control Valve (TCV) failed
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked September 24, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2020.
- 201828mpg
- 201929mpg
- 2020 · this car29mpg
- 202129mpg
$2,250
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 26 mpg
Highway driving 33 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 29 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to save about $250 on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked September 24, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 2.5L
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (AV-S7)
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2.5L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2.5 L
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (AV-S7)
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked September 24, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Have a mechanic check the visibility/wiper
Owners report problems with the visibility/wiper more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
-
Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
-
Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2020 Subaru Forester listings
Quick answers
Are there any recalls on the 2020 Subaru Forester? +
No open NHTSA safety recalls are on file for the 2020 Subaru Forester. Recalls can be issued at any time, so confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Subaru Forester get? +
The EPA rates the 2020 Subaru Forester at 29 mpg combined (26 city / 33 highway), about $2,250 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2020 Subaru Forester? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2020 Subaru Forester 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2020 Subaru Forester? +
Owners have filed 600 complaints with NHTSA for the 2020 Subaru Forester, including 26 involving a crash. The most-reported area is visibility/wiper.
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