2020 Subaru Forester steering problems

Filed Apr 4, 2025 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · SC · crash

I was on cruise control, and it randomly decided to go 81 MPH instead of 50 mph i set it to, it did not respond when I tried to turn off the cruise control, and I ended up crashing into a semi, I survived but my [XXX] daughter died. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 2, 2025 · Engine, Steering · PA

My Forester just totally shuts down sometimes from the auto start feature in traffic or intersections . Errors come up . The wheel locks and I must put the car in park , turn it off and turn it back on. Very scary and very dangerous.

Filed Mar 4, 2024 · Acceleration, Brakes · 26,050 miles · OR · 1 injury

On 11/18/2023, as soon as I started the vehicle, put it in reverse and let off the brake to back down the driveway, the car made a loud unfamiliar noise (like bzzzzzt) and suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated on its own. Nothing worked, brakes, automatic gear shift, gas pedal, and steering were all disengaged. It was terrifying to me and I was worried about anyone or anything behind me. At the street corner the car turned somehow (I was trying to steer, but the vehicle was jostling wildly and the steering, brakes didn't work at all), ran over a high curb, knocked over a street sign, and took out the neighbor’s sprinkler system, and then came to a stop, dead!

Filed Nov 12, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · MN

Engine shuts off when coasting into a turn when car is moving at less than 5mph. Causes loss of steering. Will restart if gas pedal is pumped. Dealer can find no problem. Does not happen predictably and can not always be replicated. Very dangerous.

Filed Sep 13, 2022 · Driver assistance, Steering · NY

Corrupted Driver Assist Software. Dashboard icons for hands on steering wheel, dynamic vehicle control, lane change control were flashing that systems were off, controls were turned off randomly. Vehicle was not tracking appropriately in its lane, steering was not acting correctly. Car at times acted as if it were being blown by a strong crosswind. Steering between lanes was not consistent. Icon warning that my hands were not on steering wheel when both my hands were on the steering wheel.

Filed Aug 24, 2022 · Driver assistance, Steering · VA

Subaru has a known issue with a Thermo Control Valve in Foresters. Apparently the part is failing all over the place and they redesigned the part and are replacing it. The problem is the part is backordered and the dealerships are telling people it is safe to drive the car. Our car completely shut off at highway speed. I have since learned this is happening to a number of other owners who were also told it was safe to drive it while the part is back ordered. This vehicle has a lot of advanced driver features and some or all of them are shut off when this happens. Very dangerous for them to tell people to keep driving it and the vehicle should be recalled to replace the defective part that is failing.

Filed Aug 14, 2022 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · NY

I drive this V little, but the steering wheel has repeatedly tried to jerk me into the left lane when tuning right and right when turning left! I stopped using cruise, but it still does it. I am an advanced driver, but don't low, if I could overcome this if it acted like some other 2020 Foresters I've read owners state have gone off the road and rolled over! Also the auto stop - start often shuts engine off when power is needed - is totally unpredictable! This is my wife's car, but she got it as the seat works with my V bad back! Had I known the Eyesight system would malfunction (I did not trust it, but hoped it would be ok!), I'd have insisted on getting a good older car without unproven so called driver aids! We really don't have the $ to replace the car!

Filed Aug 10, 2021 · Driver assistance, Steering · MN

Lane Keep Assist Feature The lane keep assist feature seems, in general, to over steer causing sway back and forth across the lane. While I find this bothersome, Most recently, at highway speed, the lane keep assist pulled the car (suddenly and somewhat violently) onto an exit ramp rather than holding the right lane. No one was hurt. No damage occurred. I was able to yank the wheel back to the lane with the entire incident over in less and a second. Safety at risk? highway speed with unanticipated veer of intended path. It was good that traffic was quite light. I have not reported this to the dealer. No special warnings other than that the system "worked".

Filed Dec 13, 2020 · Body, Brakes · 10,000 miles · NY · crash

On the morning of october 1, 2020, I pulled the car out of my garage. I was the only occupant,. The car was parked facing the wall, on the opposite side of the garage door, and I had to back out of the garage into my driveway, putting the car in reverse. I then had to turn right, into my driveway leading to the street. After I shifted the gear from reverse into drive, the car started moving forward spontaneously, and I was unable to stop it, nor steer the steering wheel. My right foot was on the brake pedal, but I was unable to stop the vehicle. The brake pedal felt hard and would not go down. I found the car going forwards towards the garage, but slightly to the right of the open garage door. I was also not able to turn the car with the steering wheel, which was also stiff. I was fully aware of the failure, and my inability to control the vehicle, with the car going towards my house, and the brake not being effective. My wife,[xxx]who was at the door, was watching and helpless. The car then hit the pillar/ post, between my garage doors and stopped, hitting the right side, of the front of the vehicle into the garage post. I notified my insurance company and drove the car to subaru's service center, and has since left the car there. I had met experienced a similar situation about 2-3 days earlier. At that time, I did not think much of it. The car is with the service department of [xxx], subaru dealer, and the service manager, can explain the damages to the car, as it has been with them since the incident. My wife was standing at the door and witnessed the incident. The investigation was then handed over to subaru america , who further forwarded it to bosch engineering. Subaru america now wants to me take the car without explanation for the failure. I have requested a copy of the report, which subaru has denied . Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 30, 2019 · Steering, Transmission · 20 miles · MD

Vehicle vibrate starting at 50 MPH and gets excessive at 65mph and up, while cruising in the highway. The vibration can be felt on the steering wheel and the driver seat seat.