2020 Subaru Forester cruise control problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently describe the 2020 Forester suddenly accelerating without foot on the gas pedal across a range of driving situations: while parked and idling, reversing in driveways, merging on highways, low-speed parking maneuvers, and while actively braking at traffic lights. In several cases, applying the brake pedal does nothing initially, or brakes require violent pressure to engage. One owner reports the accelerator remaining stuck even after releasing it and slamming brakes. Incidents occur from 3,000 to 65,000 miles with no clear pattern.
Dashboard warning lights frequently accompany these events—Eyesight warnings, Check Engine lights, and RAB (Reverse Auto Braking) disabled messages. One dealership diagnosed a faulty thermal control valve that knocked out multiple safety features. In other cases, dealers service the vehicle but do not document investigating the reported acceleration problem. A class action lawsuit alleges defects in Eyesight pre-collision braking and throttle management that cause the acceleration. Most complaints don't specify repair costs because vehicles were either not serviced, not diagnosed, or totaled and sent to salvage yards. Nine of ten incidents resulted in crashes—into walls, parked vehicles, bushes, trees, and buildings. One owner sustained neck and shoulder injury requiring hospitalization.
Same Subaru Forester cruise control reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration without driver input
Vehicle accelerates on its own without the driver's foot on the accelerator pedal, often while braking or in park. Multiple owners report the accelerator pedal remaining engaged or the engine revving despite foot off the gas.
When: Occurs at various mileages (3,000 to 65,000 miles) and in different driving situations: parking, reversing, merging, turning, and low-speed maneuvering. One incident reported while parked and idling.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates abruptly without foot on gas pedal; Acceleration continues after driver releases accelerator; Vehicle surges forward while depressing brake pedal; Engine revs at high RPM despite brake applied; Acceleration persists through multiple attempts to brake or shift to neutral; Vehicle shakes slightly or violently before and during acceleration events; Dashboard warning lights illuminate (Eyesight warning, Check Engine light, Cold Engine light); Multiple incidents reported on same vehicle, sometimes preceded by warning lights
Codes mentioned: Eyesight Warning, RAB (Reverse Auto Braking) disabled, Check Engine Light, Faulty Thermal Control Valve (one case)
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle diagnosed with faulty Thermal Control Valve by dealer. Most complaints show no diagnosis completed—dealership service visits in several cases found no fault despite reported symptoms. Multiple vehicles towed but not repaired or repaired without diagnostic confirmation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One complaint references class action lawsuit Weston, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc. alleging defects causing sudden unintended acceleration. Dealer service records do not document investigation of reported acceleration defects in some cases.
Brake system failure or ineffectiveness during acceleration event
Brakes fail to stop the vehicle or respond slowly when driver attempts emergency braking during unintended acceleration. In one case, brakes produced no effect initially; in others, brake application was necessary to disengage acceleration but required violent pedal pressure.
When: Occurs simultaneously with unintended acceleration events. One case at 12,000 miles; another at low speed (2 MPH) with mileage around 3,000.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed but vehicle does not stop or stops very slowly; Brake pedal appears ineffective during acceleration event; Multiple braking attempts fail to arrest motion; Brake engagement eventually stops vehicle but with delayed response
Repairs/costs cited: No repair work documented in narratives involving brake system diagnostics or correction.
Eyesight system and pre-collision safety feature malfunction
Pre-collision braking and throttle management features activate inappropriately or fail to function, contributing to acceleration and reduced vehicle control. One owner explicitly reports Eyesight pre-collision braking and pre-collision throttle management triggered unintended acceleration while manually braking.
When: At least one incident while decelerating at a red light; another incident at 38,000 miles where Eyesight warning displayed.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates or lurches forward while driver is manually braking; Eyesight Warning light illuminates; Pre-collision safety features disabled or malfunction; RAB (Reverse Auto Braking) feature disabled
Codes mentioned: Eyesight Warning, RAB disabled
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair for Eyesight system documented in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class action lawsuit Weston, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc. alleges Eyesight and related systems contain defects causing sudden unintended acceleration and loss of vehicle control.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2020 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 31,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.