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Before you buy

2020 Subaru Forester inspection checklist

Use this beside the car or give it to a mechanic. These checks come from problems in the records we reviewed. They do not replace a full used-car inspection.

Inspect this Forester

Mark each check as you go. Your notes stay on this device.

Saved on this device. The shared link never includes a VIN.

Use these notes with a full inspection. A serious warning sign can be enough to walk away.

Required checks

  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.

    Airbags owner reports: 4 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention air bags.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.

    Electrical System owner reports: 8 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention electrical system.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.

    Vehicle Speed Control owner reports: 4 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention vehicle speed control.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

    Manufacturer warranty extension: This bulletin announces a warranty extension information regarding 12 Volt vehicle batteries.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

    Manufacturer warranty extension: This bulletin announces the extended warranty coverage for the Thermo Control valve (TCV) used the the models listed.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

    Manufacturer warranty extension: Denso low pressure fuel pump warranty extension.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

    Manufacturer warranty extension: This announcement is in regard to settlement in a class action lawsuit for vehicles that will receive a limited warranty extension for original equipment Subaru windshields experiencing a qualifying crack.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

    Manufacturer warranty extension: As part of Subaru's dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

    Manufacturer warranty extension: In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

    Manufacturer warranty extension: This announcement is in regard to the warranty extension initiated for windshields for the models listed.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away

Ask the seller

  • Has any named issue here ever been diagnosed or repaired on this car?
  • Can I see the maintenance and any recall-remedy records?
  • Will you allow an independent pre-purchase inspection?

Records to request

  • Service and oil-change history
  • Completed recall / campaign paperwork
  • Any dealer diagnostic reports

Why these checks are here

Airbags owner reports

Owner reports are bound to model year 2020.

Warning signs: 4 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention air bags.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Electrical System owner reports

Owner reports are bound to model year 2020.

Warning signs: 8 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention electrical system.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Vehicle Speed Control owner reports

Owner reports are bound to model year 2020.

Warning signs: 4 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention vehicle speed control.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Manufacturer warranty extension

Official record covers model years 2019 through 2020.

Warning signs: This bulletin announces a warranty extension information regarding 12 Volt vehicle batteries.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Manufacturer warranty extension

Official record covers model years 2019 through 2021.

Warning signs: This bulletin announces the extended warranty coverage for the Thermo Control valve (TCV) used the the models listed.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Manufacturer warranty extension

Official record covers model years 2019 through 2020.

Warning signs: Denso low pressure fuel pump warranty extension.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Manufacturer warranty extension

Official record covers model years 2019 through 2022.

Warning signs: This announcement is in regard to settlement in a class action lawsuit for vehicles that will receive a limited warranty extension for original equipment Subaru windshields experiencing a qualifying crack.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Manufacturer warranty extension

Official record covers model years 2019 through 2022.

Warning signs: As part of Subaru's dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Manufacturer warranty extension

Official record covers model years 2019 through 2022.

Warning signs: In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Manufacturer warranty extension

Official record covers model years 2019 through 2022.

Warning signs: This announcement is in regard to the warranty extension initiated for windshields for the models listed.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Sources and limits
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“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.”
NHTSAcomplaintMar 2021Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“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.”
NHTSAcomplaintDec 2019Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“Eyesight pre-collision braking feature and pre-collision throttle management feature malfunctioned and caused the 2020 Forester to accelerate unexpectedly and lurch forward while I was manually braking and slowing to come to a complete stop behind two other vehicles stopped at a steady red light. See class action lawsuit Weston, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc., et al. In US District Court Case No. [XXX] which alleges that the vehicle contains certain defects that caused sudden and unintended acceleration without driver input; acceleration while manually braking; and that these defects created a safety risk, because they severely affected the driver's ability to control the car's speed, acceleration, and deceleration, and increase the risk of a collision, which did in fact occur. The defective car was completely totaled and towed to a salvage yard by the police and the insurance company. Defect malfunction caused a collision which resulted in property damage and personal injury to three vehicles and three people. I mentioned the defect to my insurance company at the time of the accident. I do not know if they chose to follow up and inspect the vehicle. The problem occurred twice before ( not resulting in property damage or injury) and I took it to my Subaru dealer both times and they claim that they could not find anything wrong, but oddly did not note that they checked for the problem which I brought to their attention on the written summary/invoice for my service visit. See the class action lawsuit- this is apparently the typical dealer non-response to the problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”
NHTSAcomplaintJul 2024Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“This bulletin announces a warranty extension information regarding 12 Volt vehicle batteries. ”
NHTSAtsbAug 2022Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“This bulletin announces the extended warranty coverage for the Thermo Control valve (TCV) used the the models listed. The coverage will be extended to (15) fifteen years / 150,000 miles. ”
NHTSAtsbApr 2024Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Denso low pressure fuel pump warranty extension. ”
NHTSAtsbSep 2024Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“This announcement is in regard to settlement in a class action lawsuit for vehicles that will receive a limited warranty extension for original equipment Subaru windshields experiencing a qualifying crack. ”
NHTSAtsbDec 2024Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“As part of Subaru's dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is announcing a Warranty Extension of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen 3.1 Infotainment head units for the models listed. ”
NHTSAtsbJan 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the Front Windshield used in the above listed models and model years from three (3) years / 36,000 miles to eight (8) years / 100,000 miles (whichever comes first). If a customer experiences windshield damage, inspect the damage as per the guidelines supplied in this bulletin to confirm if the damage is covered under the Warranty Extension. ”
NHTSAtsbMar 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“This announcement is in regard to the warranty extension initiated for windshields for the models listed. ”
NHTSAtsbMar 2025Open source record

The checklist cannot see the car’s full history or condition.

Check this year at your mileage