10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,689 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #9

Sep 182024

Forester

  • miles
The passenger seat airbag sensor does not activate all the time. My girlfriend weighs [XXX]. When she sits in the passenger seat, it only activates the sensor approx 50% of the time. I took it to Subaru, they indicated the sensor was working properly, and their resolution to the issue was for her to weight at least 120 pounds !!! I have that in writing on the repair ticket from Dreyer Reinbold Subaru Greenwood Indiana. I took my complaint to Subaru, and after repeated follow up phone calls, I was informed that in Subaru's owners manual, it stipulates that the individual must meet certain criteria in order to activate the passenger seat sensor. I have yet to find that reference. So, does Subaru inform every potential buyer of the fact that individuals seated in the passenger seat must meet the 120 pound minimum weight to activate the airbag sensor to keep them safe " I bet not. Thank you for your consideration to helping me keep any passenger in my 2020 Subaru safe, and for countless others that may have have this issue but never check to insure the airbag becomes activated. I have seen recalls for 2020 Outback & Legacy for the same issue with the passenger seat sensor, is it possible some Foresters have the same sensor" [XXX] - [XXX] - [XXX] - [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Greenwood, IN, USA

problem #8

Jan 292024

Forester

  • miles
I started the car to make a trip to town to run some errands. When I cranked the engine the Check Engine light came on. The S for Sport Mode was flashing and a No Eyesight warning came on. Also SRS Side Airbag light came on to indicate it was not working. And another light came on showing a car going out of its lane, but I don't know if it was the Lane Keep Assist light or not.

- Granbury, TX, USA

problem #7

May 312023

Forester

  • miles
Thermo control valve needed replaced. Check engine light and all safety lights turned on. All safety features were disabled when light came on. Subaru has has a recall on 2019 but not 2020.

- Emlenton , PA, USA

problem #6

Oct 262022

Forester

  • miles
On October 26th 2022 I was in a accident with a deer. It was a head on collision where my airbags deployed but the main windshield airbag didn't go off.

- Churchville, NY, USA

problem #5

Dec 272021

Forester

  • miles
Driver gets choked while drinking a cold beverage, gets disoriented and loses consciousness momentarily causing the vehicle to veer off the street and strike a tree with extensive front end damage. Airbags did not deploy at all. Driver has injuries from the crash, such as possible fractured wrist, contusions and much pain in the neck, chest and back areas. She was transported by EMS to the hospital. Insurance was notified and an adjuster has already sent a repair appraisal and cut a check for the estimated cost of repairs. The driver does not feel comfortable about the having the car repaired with potentially faulty airbags. We have photos of the car. We have stated our concerns about this to the insurance company and the vehicle manufacturer. They have opened a file with our concerns and we are waiting to learn further from the insurance provider and the car maker. My wife has numerous injuries and does not feel secure keeping this car. A police report is filed and I have also made an initial request to a consult with an attorney.

- Knightdale, NC, USA

problem #4

Sep 232021

Forester 4-cyl

  • 13,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while the wife was pressing the brake pedal and attempting to park the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into a brick building. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle sustained severe damage but the airbags did not deploy. The driver suffered head and torso injuries which required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the incident. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 13,000.

- Walled Lake, MI, USA

problem #3

Feb 172021

Forester

  • 5,200 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.

- Salem, VA, USA

problem #2

Feb 172021

Forester

  • 5,500 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds approaching an intersection as another vehicle crashed head on into the front of the vehicle. No air bag deployed. The contact sustained laceration, brushing on both legs. Medical attention was contacted and had taken the contacts husband to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries. The contacts husband was in the passenger seat. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by an independent towing company to a body shop where the contact was waiting results for damages. The manufacturer and the dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,500.

- Salem, VA, USA

problem #1

Sep 292019

Forester

  • 500 miles
Passenger side air bags are not enabled with a person sitting in the seat using a seat belt extender. There are flaws on the software that identify the passenger actions entering the car, when the seat belt is fastened and whether or not a seat belt extender has been used. If a seat belt extender is already in place, the car refuses to enable the air bags after a person sits in the passenger seat.

- Gardnerville, NV, USA