2020 Subaru Forester Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 105 Electrical System complaints for the 2020 Subaru Forester, 17% of the 601 total complaints that year. No related recalls are listed for this component. Median mileage at failure is 2,000 miles.
- Electrical System complaints
- 105
- 17% of 601
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 2,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Battery drains or dies repeatedly at low mileage, in some cases with the power liftgate left open or the vehicle sitting unused for a day.
- Tailgate lights or rear tail lights stay on unexpectedly when the gear shifter is moved, even with the headlight switch off.
- Heated seats reportedly run hot even when switched off, with owners describing skin irritation after sitting for an extended period.
- Starlink telematics system reported as incompatible with OBD-II diagnostic devices, referenced in a Subaru service bulletin without a stated fix.
- LED adaptive headlights described as blinding oncoming drivers on graded roads even when set to low beam.
- Infotainment head unit and tire pressure monitoring or blind spot sensors reported losing connection or failing to alert intermittently.
When 2020 Subaru Forester electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Dec 30, 2019, latest Sep 19, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2020 Subaru Forester
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Electrical System complaints by Forester model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does the 2020 Subaru Forester have?
- NHTSA lists 105 Electrical System complaints for the 2020 Forester, which is 17% of the 601 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2020 Subaru Forester electrical system?
- NHTSA's data provided here lists no related recalls tied to the Electrical System complaints for the 2020 Forester.
- At what mileage do 2020 Forester electrical problems occur?
- The median mileage at failure among reported electrical complaints is 2,000 miles.
- What electrical problems do 2020 Forester owners report most?
- Owners describe battery drain, tail lights activating unexpectedly, heated seats running hot when off, headlight glare, and connectivity issues with Starlink, infotainment, and sensor systems.
- How does 2020 compare to other Forester years for electrical complaints?
- The 2020 Forester's 17% share of complaints tied to electrical issues is similar to 2019 (16%) and 2017 (18%), and lower than 2016's 23% share.