2020 Subaru Forester engine problems
84 of the 601 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Subaru Forester name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). Filed under the same heading: 83 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the engine
Source: NHTSA complaint database2 of the 84 reports a crash · 4 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2023: 24 · 2024: 25 · 2025: 12 · 2026: 11
Too few of these complaints carry an odometer reading to say when the problem shows up.
601 complaints in all about the 2020 Subaru Forester, 11 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Engine” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Subaru Forester engine problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I was on the highway doing 70 mph with the adaptive cruise control set. Then suddenly the check engine light turned on, the eye site and cruise shut down and the car slowed down quickly to 60 mph almost getting rear ended. This Subaru Forester has 65,592 miles.
Car stalls occasionally while stopped in traffic, at a signal, stop sign, and in heavy street or highway traffic. I have read about this, and it is problematic for this make and model, posing a significant safety hazard
Engine shuts off when coasting into a turn when car is moving at less than 5mph. Causes loss of steering. Will restart if gas pedal is pumped. Dealer can find no problem. Does not happen predictably and can not always be replicated. Very dangerous
This is about a problem of which your agency is already aware. Subaru of America has been aware of a defective Thermo Control Valve for almost a year (Part 21319AA010). The part was redesigned since the initial part was subject to extreme corrosion. The redesigned part has the same part number as the original part.
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).
What is on file about the engine
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications83 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P26A3 P0087 P0128 P0420 P26A5 P26A6 B1571 B1572
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2020 Subaru Forester names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2020 Subaru Forester
Source: the same files- electrical problems 102 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre engine problems common on the 2020 Subaru Forester?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 84 owner complaints naming the engine on this model year (14% of everything owners filed about it), and 83 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the engine on the 2020 Subaru Forester?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do engine problems show up on the 2020 Subaru Forester?
Too few of the complaints carry an odometer reading to say. The model year's page shows the mileage curve across every system where it can.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.