This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the orignal bulletin.)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Subaru Forester electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Subaru Forester have filed 95 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 4,500 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
95
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Forester | 81 |
| 2017 Forester | 92 |
| 2018 Forester | 67 |
| 2019 Forester | 117 |
| 2020 Forester (this page) | 95 |
| 2021 Forester | 30 |
| 2022 Forester | 8 |
| 2023 Forester | 7 |
1crash
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 95 electrical complaints filed for the 2020 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 95 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 20 model years of Subaru Forester in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change to the Power Rear Gate Drive (PRG) Unit to address rare concerns about a very slight drop immediately after the gate is fully open.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains information to help when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202 and / or 204 may occur preventing the process from completing successfully
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Battery drain and failure dominate 2020 Forester electrical complaints. Owners describe batteries dying within days of sitting idle, sometimes after less than an hour with the rear hatch open. Several replaced factory batteries yet saw the same parasitic drain, requiring constant trickle chargers. Owners report low-voltage symptoms suggesting a parasitic draw, and some cite a defective DCM module drawing power to an incompatible Starlink 3G system no longer in service. A recall exists for 2019 lift-gate modules causing "dark draw," but some 2020 models fall into a gap.
Auto stop-start system failures create serious safety hazards. Owners report the engine shutting down at traffic lights as designed, then failing to restart when brake is released. Dashboard lights illuminate but the engine won't turn over until the vehicle is shifted to park and manually restarted—sometimes taking 10-30 seconds in active traffic. One owner stalled on a highway express lane; another nearly collided at a busy intersection.
Thermo control valve failures trigger sudden engine shutdown while driving, sometimes at highway speeds, with warning lights appearing only after loss of power. One owner experienced an engine fire three days after a warranty replacement of this component.
Electrical system shorts from water pooling under the passenger seat caused corrosion, a condition owners question as a design defect. Radio malfunctions disable blind-spot detection, headlights, and the instrument panel. EyeSight system inadvertently engages without warning. Rear hatch latch failures and electrical gremlins (dashboard flashing, gauge needles whipping side to side) round out reported failures.
Same Subaru Forester electrical reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Parasitic Battery Drain
Battery dies within days of vehicle sitting idle or after brief periods with doors opened/closed or rear hatch open. Owners report needing trickle chargers to maintain charge, despite factory or replacement batteries testing good when out of vehicle. Some owners suspect a defective DCM module powering the Starlink system or a faulty lift-gate ECU continuing to draw 4+ amps even after interior lights auto-shut-off.
When: Typically after 1-8 months of ownership; some within first 8 months of purchase; one owner with less than 500 miles; occurs when vehicle parked with ignition off
Symptoms owners cite: Battery completely discharged after sitting overnight or for a few days; Low voltage reading on battery tester despite battery testing good out of vehicle; Dashboard flashing or lights going haywire when battery is critically low; Remote key fob not working due to dead battery; Clicking sound when attempting to start (typical dead-battery symptom); Vehicle stranded in rural locations with no cell service; Multiple dead batteries even after factory or aftermarket replacement
Codes mentioned: Parasitic drain diagnosis (no specific OBD code cited), DCM system incompatibility with Starlink (Service Bulletin 15-257-19)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacement with larger aftermarket battery; continuous trickle charger required; PRG Module replacement mentioned by one owner as proper fix; Lift-gate module replacement per 2019 recall (not extended to all 2020 models); water intrusion repair required in one case (25-hour job, not covered under warranty)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer often unable to find cause; some customers referred to battery lawsuit settlement but VIN not included; Subaru told one owner 'this is normal' and advised not to use OBD-II devices (per Service Bulletin 15-257-19); warranty denied in water intrusion case; no recall issued for 2020 models despite 2019 recall for lift-gate module
Auto Stop-Start System Restart Failure
When vehicle comes to complete stop and engine shuts off via auto stop-start feature, the engine fails to restart when brake is released and accelerator pressed. Vehicle becomes stranded in traffic, sometimes for 10-30 seconds, requiring manual shift to park and restart via ignition button. Occurs intermittently without warning lights beforehand.
When: Mileage ranges from 1,300 to 80,000 miles; failures occur at traffic lights, intersections, freeways; can happen multiple times per week or month-long gaps between incidents
Symptoms owners cite: Engine fails to restart when foot lifted from brake after auto stop-start shutdown; Dashboard lights illuminate (check engine, EyeSight disabled, battery indicator, parking brake light); Ringing/shrill constant sound when engine fails to restart; 'Engine Disabled' or 'No Eyesight' message displayed; Hazard lights do not activate or stop blinking after a few minutes; Vehicle stuck in drive gear, unable to shift out or restart until manually put in park
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, EyeSight disabled warning, Battery indicator light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer advised manual deactivation of auto stop-start feature (temporary workaround, feature re-engages independently); battery replacement in some cases (owner reports testing good on two separate occasions before replacement); no permanent repair offered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advised to manually disable feature; no diagnosis or repair completed in several cases; owner referred to NHTSA hotline; manufacturer opened case but denied warranty coverage; no recall or technical service bulletin cited
Thermo Control Valve Failure
Thermo control valve (cooling system component) fails, causing sudden engine shutdown while driving, often without warning before loss of power. Engine stalls immediately, disabling all ADAS features and creating dangerous conditions. One owner experienced engine fire three days after warranty replacement of this valve.
When: Failures reported at 19,000 miles, 60,000 miles (one owner); failures occur mid-drive at highway speeds and in traffic; fire incident occurred three days post-repair
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant temperature low indicator light; Check engine light and sport mode indicator light come on; All ADAS features disabled (forward collision warning, emergency braking, lane departure); Sudden engine shutdown at speed without prior warning; Coolant level low; Smoke from under hood (pre-fire incident); Engine fire (post-repair, three days after valve replacement)
Codes mentioned: P26A6 (mentioned in one narrative as 'known problem with Subaru vehicles')
Repairs/costs cited: Thermo control valve replacement (warranty-covered in one case; owner notes other components also required replacement including fuel line); modified thermo valve installed; one owner unable to afford $6,000+ repair involving harness replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmed broken valve and performed warranty repair; no acknowledgment of post-repair fire cause despite owner authorization of 'black box' investigation; no formal recall despite similar recalls for other manufacturers
Electrical System Shorts and Component Failures
Water pooling under passenger seat causes corrosion and electrical shorts. Radio malfunctions disable blind-spot detection, headlights, and instrument panel; EyeSight system engages inadvertently. Dashboard lights flash, gauge needles whip side to side, and all warning lights illuminate simultaneously during driving.
When: Water intrusion condition triggered after vehicle operation (not driven through high water or flooded conditions per owner); radio/EyeSight issues at 1,000 miles and throughout ownership; dashboard electrical gremlins at early mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Water pooled under passenger seat causing corrosion; Radio malfunction and constant channel switching; Unable to turn off radio; Blind-spot detection system fails; Headlights fail; Instrument panel fails to display; EyeSight system engages without warning, causing vehicle to stop abruptly; All dashboard lights illuminate simultaneously; Gauge needles whip from side to side; Lights flashing on and off erratically
Codes mentioned: Radio software failure (diagnosed after three replacement attempts)
Repairs/costs cited: Radio replaced three times; EyeSight system reconnected; water intrusion repair 25-hour job, owner reports quote of 'a lot' of cost but specific amount not stated; dealer suggested insurance claim due to perceived non-coverage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer declined warranty coverage for water intrusion, claiming design defect not covered; referred owner to insurance; radio replaced three separate times by dealership without permanent fix
Rear Hatch Latch Failure
Rear hatch fails to properly latch, popping open repeatedly or remaining unlatched while driving. Cargo and pets at risk of falling from vehicle; one owner reported near-incident with dog.
When: Failure noticed twice in one case; timing relative to rear-end collision mentioned in first complaint narrative
Symptoms owners cite: Rear hatch attempts to latch but pops back open repeatedly; Hatch remains unlatched while driving; Hatch refuses to open when needed (malfunction blocking access to trunk)
Repairs/costs cited: No repair noted in narratives; one owner reported having video documentation but no follow-up repair described
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer initially unable to find issue; owner planned to return for re-inspection but no outcome documented
Sudden Acceleration
Vehicle suddenly accelerated at alarming speed while driving slowly in parking lot, driver lost control, and vehicle struck two parked cars. No warning lights prior to incident; multiple warning lights illuminated afterward. Radio had malfunctioned days before (constant blaring, uncontrollable channel switching).
When: Incident at 9 a.m. in parking lot; radio malfunction a few months prior
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden unexpected acceleration at alarming speed; Loss of driver control while turning slowly into parking space; Radio blaring and constantly switching channels (prior incident); Unable to turn off radio; Multiple warning lights illuminated after incident; No warning lights prior to acceleration incident
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle inspected by Bosch EAA representative for Subaru on 8/4/2021
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru and Subaru of America called and inspected vehicle via Bosch representative; owner told results could take several weeks; no follow-up documentation of findings in narrative
EyeSight System Malfunction and Inadvertent Engagement
EyeSight system inadvertently disables or engages, causing vehicle to stop without warning or preventing safe restart from auto stop-start shutdown. System also fails to re-enable without physical restart. Multiple dashboard warning lights accompany failures.
When: Intermittent failures throughout ownership; some triggered by auto stop-start engagement
Symptoms owners cite: EyeSight disabled warning appears; 'No EyeSight' warning flashes and disappears; Vehicle stops abruptly without warning while driving; Cannot safely move vehicle to roadside due to uncontrolled stopping; EyeSight feature disengages when engine fails to restart from auto stop-start; Forward collision warning, emergency braking unavailable when check engine light on
Codes mentioned: EyeSight disabled warning
Repairs/costs cited: EyeSight system reconnected by dealer (temporary fix); no permanent repair or root cause addressed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer reconnected system; manufacturer advised disabling auto stop-start feature manually, which does not prevent auto-reengagement
OBD-II Device and Starlink Incompatibility
Owners using OBD-II diagnostic devices experience incompatibility with Subaru Starlink system (3G-based emergency dispatch and telematics). System continuously attempts to connect to decommissioned 3G network, creating parasitic battery drain and triggering repeated fault notifications.
When: Ongoing issue starting 3/11/2020, intermittent; 2019-2020 model years affected
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle notifies dealer of fault every 3-10 days when OBD-II device connected; Parasitic battery drain from failed Starlink connection attempts; Dealership cannot pinpoint cause; issue temporarily resolves itself
Repairs/costs cited: No solution offered; Service Bulletin 15-257-19 recommends not using OBD-II devices; notification intervals extended from 3 days to 10 days (masking symptom, not fixing cause)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin 15-257-19 (11/11/2019) recognizes problem but offers only workaround (avoid OBD-II devices); no technical fix provided; notification intervals extended rather than issue resolved
Apple CarPlay Connectivity Failure
Apple CarPlay does not work since purchase or works intermittently, requiring repeated cord swaps and system updates. Feature stops working mid-drive, forcing driver to hold phone and navigate manually without dashboard display.
When: Continuous or recurring issue throughout ownership from 2020 purchase onward
Symptoms owners cite: Apple CarPlay never connects or loses connection mid-drive; Workaround (cord swap and settings update) provides only temporary fix (2-3 weeks); No solution for non-Apple phone users
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership recommends cord replacement and iPhone settings update followed by manual system update; repeated visits yield only temporary fixes
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership offers temporary workaround requiring frequent manual interventions; no permanent fix or root cause investigation
Synthesized from 95 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
When I am idling at a stop sign or sitting in traffic and I have come to a full stop, the car's engine shuts down as a gas-saving feature. This is not the problem! The problem is that sometimes when this feature engages, when I lift my foot off the brake to start driving again, a shrill constant ringing sound starts and the engine won't power back on. There is an error message that comes on that…
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the battery drained quickly, and the vehicle had to be jumpstarted after three days. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
When driving the driver heated seat puts out low heat even if the switch is in the off position. At 15 minutes sitting, heat can be felt on the buttocks skin and caused minor skin burn at around 30 minutes.
Liftgate open for tailgating party. Battery drained despite NO lights being on at all. This should NOT happen. Left me (50yo woman) and 3 kids stranded in a very bad part of town.
When I was driving this car one night, every dash light was suddenly activated and remained on -- and as a result all safety features were deactivated. When I was able to do so, I touched the battery cables together to reboot the system. I had to do this 3 times over the course of 4 days. Realizing the problem was chronic, I took the car to the dealership (a 2 hour drive), where a service tech…
Had electrical trouble with your 2020 Subaru Forester?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2020 Subaru Forester?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 95 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 1,800 and 25,000 miles, with the median around 4,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 1,800; a quarter make it past 25,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Subaru/Forester.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.