2020 Subaru Forester fuel/propulsion system problems
11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the fuel/propulsion system on the 2020 Subaru Forester — 2% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“When stopped at an intersection the car stalled. It would not restart for three minutes and caused a dangerous situation for my family and children in the car while traffic was moving. There were no warning signs, lights, or engine codes. The problem is random and cannot reproduced. The car is…”
filed Sep 15, 2025
“Vehicle traveling W on [XXX] Bryan TX. Automobile suddenly started shaking and not developing power, Driver was able to pull off on the shoulder barely clearing the #2 lane. The engine would crank but not sustain operation. The auto required transport to the home garaging location. Subsequent…”
filed Sep 23, 2024
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and…
09-74-21R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 26, 2026This bulletin announces design changes made to the fuel injector and fuel pipe in response to the DTCs listed DTC P030* / Engine Knocking / DTC P219C-D-E-F. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
09-81-21R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 25, 2026
Fuel/propulsion System problems in other Forester years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Forester | 11 | 13% |
| 2023 Forester | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 Forester | 7 | 7% |
| 2021 Forester | 6 | 3% |
| 2019 Forester | 22 | 3% |
| 2018 Forester | 18 | 4% |
| 2017 Forester | 11 | 2% |
| 2016 Forester | 24 | 6% |
| 2015 Forester | 55 | 9% |
| 2014 Forester | 15 | 4% |
| 2013 Forester | 2 | 3% |
| 2012 Forester | 6 | 6% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2020 Subaru Forester
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.