Automatic Emergency Braking Problems of Subaru Forester - part 2

Subaru Forester owners have reported 64 problems related to automatic emergency braking (under the forward collision avoidance category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Subaru Forester based on all problems reported for the Forester.

36 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2023 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 05/12/2023

Forward collision braking activated for no reason. No traffic in front or behind when activated. Steady speed of 35-40 mph when activated - conditions were clear and dry. No warning prior to incident, message appeared on dash during braking. Seat belts activated and car came to a complete and very abrupt stop. Thankfully no vehicle behind us or most likely would have been rear ended. Problem has not been reproduced as we will not drive the vehicle without disabling the forward collision feature on the car. Vehicle had less than 2500 miles on it when incident occurred. Vehicle has not been to the dealer for inspection yet but will have them check the forward collision system at first oil change service unless requested sooner. Emailed Subaru customer service to notify them of the incident.

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37 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2021 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 03/06/2023

The first incident occurred when I drove into a parking space, applied the brakes, and the car suddenly sped forward, so I had to repeatedly jam on the brakes to make the car stop. Fortunately, no person or vehicle was directly in front of me. In the past week, we have experienced problems with the adas. We were backing into a parking space at night and made contact with a parked car. Our car made no warning sounds or lights to warn us. The following day, the blind spot detector light went on and off intermittently, sometimes with an exclamation point, and sometimes without an exclamation point. The lights on the mirror did not come on when cars were approaching from behind. We are making an appointment with the dealer ASAP.

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38 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2020 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 12/28/2022

Thermo control valve stays open. Needs replacement. Automatic brakes have gone on with no car in front of vehicle. Unsafe.

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39 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2021 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 12/22/2022

It was a very cold night on Dec. 21, 2022. I traveled out of town. I don't recall seeing or hearing anything hit my windshield. However, on Dec. 22, 2022 when I got back in my car, I noticed a very long scratch across the windshield. It is now Mar. 1, 2023 and it has gotten much worse. I am unsure how to go about getting it fixed because I cannot pay for the repairs.

40 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2019 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 12/21/2022

There have been multiple incidents where the automatic collision braking system has almost caused me to be in an accident. Although it can be turned off, you must remember to do it manually each time you turn the car on. The dealership has not offered a choice to have this dangerous feature permanently disabled. In this incident, traffic in front of me started to slow down significantly, and I started to make a lane change into the left lane which was open. In the middle of the lane change, the brakes slammed on, which meant if anyone was approaching in the left, they would have to quickly slam theirs on to not rear end me. It is honestly very scary to find yourself suddenly not in control of your vehicle when a human is better able to interpret a constantly evolving situation than a computer system. Case in point, the last time I was scared half to death, the brakes slammed on while I was driving unobstructed as a car pulled out from a store far ahead of me into the lane to my right. I was in the middle lane. At no time was the car crossing into my lane. It had just started to pull out, and my brakes slammed on. If the person behind me didn’t think fast, I would have been hit. There have been lawsuits against Subaru’s eyesight feature because it misinterprets items like trash cans or cones as obstacles. The braking system is going to cause serious harm to someone, and I personally am tired of almost being in accidents because the car brakes without warning. I don’t know at this point what to do to get it disable. Safety features aren’t supposed to cause harm.

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41 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2019 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 10/07/2022

On 10/7/2022, all the warning lights came on and stayed on, even after tightening the fuel cap and replacing the battery. I brought the car to ocala Subaru this morning, and paid for a diagnostic that shows the thermal control valve needs replacement. Apparently this is now a common problem on this year and model Subaru. I was told that this is not covered under the powertrain warranty, even though it is part of the engine assembly, and is a very expensive repair, even though the car has only 43,669 miles on it. I was told the part is on national back order and that the car is okay to drive, but that most of the safety systems that have the lit warning lights are now disabled. This is the car my wife uses to transport our 6-year-old granddaughter to school and swim practice and events, as well as elsewhere, and I feel this has compromised their safety and warrants a recall.

42 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2016 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 08/05/2022

My Subaru Forester is equipped with airbags and Subaru's eye sight anti-collision braking system. On Aug 5th my wife met with an accident while trying to avoid a head-on collision side swiped a vehicle on the right lane which hit the car on the rear side and the impact further changed the direction of her car and she went and hit the steel fence stone pillar on the right side. The frontal collision with the stone pillar damaged the bumper and car engine is dislocated from its position as the frame is deformed and the front tires jammed. The car's famed anti-collision system did not prevent the collision and the air bags failed to deploy. I suspect that there is a serious manufacturing defect that all the safety systems failed in the car, hence I request you to conduct an enquiry while the car is being sent to the repair center to ascertain the right cause of failure.

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43 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2022 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 07/31/2022

I had adaptive cruise control set to the speed limit of 55, I looked down to input directions and then heard the collision warning tone. There was a large box truck sitting at the stop light ahead of me. I slammed on the breaks and swerved into the right-hand turn lane. The vehicle did not make it entirely out of the way and hit the back passenger corner of the lift on the box truck at a slight angle. The vehicle was shredded from the front driver's side bumper to the beginning of the driver's door frame and the hood went through the windshield. No air bags were deployed. --I believe the components/system that could have potentially failed if any, was the airbag system or the automatic emergency breaking system. --unsure if the problem has been reproduced. --the vehicle was inspected by police & insurance representatives. Unsure if the manufacturer has completed an inspection. --the front collision warning tone & red warning image populated on the center screen of the instrument cluster ~3 seconds prior to collision.

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44 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2022 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 07/22/2022

The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed; however, no fault codes were retrieved. The vehicle returned to operating as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250.

45 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2015 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 07/10/2022

It has happened 3 times. I was approaching a traffic light about 200 yards away, and it was changing to yellow. I was in the left lane of a 3-lane small highway, there was a left turn lane, then my lane and the right lane. Someone started standing on their brakes in front of me, I looked into my rear-view and saw that someone was approaching me quickly, so I looked to my right and saw that I could accelerate and avoid getting rear-ended by pulling forward and in front of a car coming up in the right lane. This evasive maneuver is one that I've done many times to avoid being rear-ended. I've been rear-ended twice. Both times it took a while to recover from, and I was much younger then. So, I'd rather try to avoid a collision than have to be in pain for several years. My stupid pre-collision breaking hammered on my brakes so hard I was shocked my air-bag wasn't activated. It grab me so hard that I ended up with bruising on my shoulder from the seat belt. Also, I couldn't get it to go or move very much at all. It was almost like the brakes wouldn't let me override the braking system. I even wrote to Subaru only to be told, sorry, that's too bad or something similar. I was shattered that my fairly new car (the first time was in 2016 and the second time was in 2017) was trying to hurt me. Then it happened to my husband right after he bought his new Subaru outback, so, needless to say, we are still subie fans, but not always super happy with them, especially the electronics systems and how they work, or sometimes don't work.

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46 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2019 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 06/12/2022

The lane keeping assist even when shut off prevents lane changes. A truck drifted into my lane and I had to use extreme force to steer over the car. The collision assist will randomly brake at high way speeds, also while off. The brakes will get squishy, not properly engage and make funny noises while the parking collision is off as well.

47 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2020 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 02/23/2022

Automatic braking system failed and led to a front end collision immediately a fire broke out under the hood and accelerated into the car with in minutes using a tire iron the passenger door was forced opened air bags deployed (3) and seat belt held.

48 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2019 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 02/14/2022

My 2019 Subaru Forester experienced an unexpected (random) activation of the pre-collision avoidance automatic breaking feature. While driving on a major city road (dry, sunny, typical arizona conditions) at approx 40-45 mph the system activated despite there being no obstacle (car or otherwise) anywhere near the vehicle. The nearest car was at least about half a mile ahead. The break force applied was the strongest I have experienced in 24 years of driving. This is not the first time I have experience this issue in this specific vehicle. A similar occurrence happened more than a year ago.

49 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2020 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 12/27/2021

Driver gets choked while drinking a cold beverage, gets disoriented and loses consciousness momentarily causing the vehicle to veer off the street and strike a tree with extensive front end damage. Airbags did not deploy at all. Driver has injuries from the crash, such as possible fractured wrist, contusions and much pain in the neck, chest and back areas. She was transported by ems to the hospital. Insurance was notified and an adjuster has already sent a repair appraisal and cut a check for the estimated cost of repairs. The driver does not feel comfortable about the having the car repaired with potentially faulty airbags. We have photos of the car. We have stated our concerns about this to the insurance company and the vehicle manufacturer. They have opened a file with our concerns and we are waiting to learn further from the insurance provider and the car maker. My wife has numerous injuries and does not feel secure keeping this car. A police report is filed and I have also made an initial request to a consult with an attorney.

50 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2019 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 12/07/2021

12/6 - 3:30pm. My dashboard warning lights all came on as I turned right into my driveway, the car stalled so I turned it off. Next day 12/7 - 9:00 am all the warning lights came on when I turned the key. I called Subaru and described all the lights and was told it was safe to drive. I made an appointment for the next morning. At 12:00pm the lights on dash went out and stayed off, but then they all came back on again at 4:05 pm. A minute later I took a right turn onto a side street and the car stopped suddenly and stalled in the middle of the road. I tried to start it back up 3 times. The engine would turn on and then shut down again. After 2 hours we turned the car on and drove it 2 car lengths off to the side of the road and kept it idling to get warm, but it overheated after a while and we had to shut it off. We stayed there until 8:30pm (3. 5 hours later) waiting for Subaru roadside assistance, but ended up walking home because they never came. Apparently they arrived sometime after 11:00pm and towed the car to Subaru dealer.

51 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2015 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 11/10/2021

On Wednesday November 10 I was arriving at chase bank 4229 woodruff Ave lakewood CA. I was turning right into a parking stall heading due east, parking between a pickup truck to the right and a passenger car to the left. I was braking with my right foot only traveling 5 miles per hour and suddenly the car accelerated over a parking stop and into the bank building. It was so sudden I couldn't react and pull up the parking brake. The collision caused major front end damage to my 2015 Subaru forrester xt. It also caused damage to the chase bank building. I was lucky to be a couple of parking spaces south of the ready teller , as there was a male white customer at the outside teller and he would of been killed or at least very severely injured. My wife selected this car new in 2015 because of the safety of it.

52 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2021 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 09/17/2021

While driving down a two-lane road at 50-55 mph, the car started beeping and said "obstacle detected" despite there being * cars in front of, to the side of, or to the rear of me. Also, there was *nothing* on the road (no roadkill, litter, or other debris). Immediately upon beeping, the speed abruptly dropped from 50 to below 15 in a matter of milliseconds. Had there been a car behind me, they would've either rear-ended me or had to swerve (possibly into oncoming traffic), and had the road been wet or slippery, I would've likely spun out, possibly into oncoming traffic. Had the incident occurred on the interstate, it is entirely possible that I could've been rear-ended by a driver traveling at full speed. Again, all of this over no physical obstacle and with nobody around. This isn't the first time that the crash mitigation system has been activated over no observable obstacle (in fact, similar incidents have happend at least thrice), but this resulted in the most severe and abrupt change in velocity and was particularly concerning due to the high likelihood that it could cause an accident if the event had occurred with someone behind me. Since the incident happened maybe two hours ago, it has yet to be inspected and it didn't cause an accident, but I no longer wish to own the vehicle as it's clearly not safe for passenger travel.

53 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2021 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 07/15/2021

1. July 15, 2021 the brakes didn’t fully engage three times. Twice within 30 minutes while driving to work and once on my drive home. 2. Unknown 3. Yes. Car was at dealership put through all kinds of tests and field engineer checked it out. They had me come out on Monday, 9 August and drive it with the head mechanic while hooked up to a computer trying to see if the problem replicated. 4. Yes. 5. Yes. Eyesight technology picked up there was a problem – light came on, a text and an email were sent to me. Subaru got the message too. A specific issue was not identified at that time. Vehicle was towed to dealership three days later. Subaru’s field engineer was called into examine vehicle. Apparently, he saw something he didn’t like on a reading – it had to do with the aeb-autonomous emergency braking system. Dealership replaced the entire braking system and returned the car to my driveway on Monday, 16 August. I bought this car in February 2021 after much research to include the NHTSA recommendations.

54 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2021 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 05/19/2021

Purchased brand new from dealer. Less than 3 months later a tiny pebble came up and hit the center of the windshield, immediately you could see an indentation and a spider web. Now the whole windshield has multiple spider web cracks. The splits go from edge of driver's side all the way to edge of passenger side of the car. As well as 3 separate rings going around center indentation. Only had the car 3 months when this occured. Have had 3 instances that I could not start the car. Now the cigarette lighter charge port will not work. Moon roof malfunctioning and will not close sometimes when fully opened. Now I am having issues with the brakes sticking. It's 1 year old and this is way too many issues for a brand new car! never again!.

55 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2020 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 03/27/2021

I was driving up an empty suburban road at 25 mph when the brakes suddenly went off, causing the car to skid to a stop. The dashboard screen said the pre-collision emergency braking system was activated. There was nothing in the road and no reason for the car to stop suddenly. Thank god I wasn't on the highway - this is extremely dangerous.

56 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2020 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 03/03/2021

Driving on straight multi-lane highway ~2:00 pm in the daytime at ~55 mph; clear, dry weather, dry road. No vehicles or obstructions of any kind in front of vehicle, fortunately no vehicles behind. Automatic emergency braking system triggered fully without any warning, bringing car to sudden stop in high speed travel lane; could have caused severe rear end collision had there been anyone behind. Engine continued to run, vehicle would not move until after shifting into park and back into drive. Subaru could find no reason for erroneous sudden stop function.

57 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2020 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 02/17/2021

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.

58 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2019 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 01/19/2021

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the forward collision avoidance system erroneously activated, causing the vehicle to abruptly stop in the middle of roadway. The contact indicated that during the failure, there was no objects or vehicles nearby to cause the braking system to activate. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer royal Subaru located 3333 east 3rd st, bloomington, in 47401 and the manufacturer were notified of the failure however, no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 12,900.

59 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2017 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 12/17/2020

Pulling into a parking spot at a low rate of speed (since I'd not driven quickly through the parking lot - too many backing up too quickly!). Sudden acceleration and rammed into brick wall of the building. My foot must of slipped, but it was fast. No collision deterrents activated at all, which was strange since this car will stop for an obstacle 1/2 a block ahead in low light. No buzzing, beeping, warning, or stopping. Was able to slam my foot on the brake, but still hit the wall. No air bags activated.

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60 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2020 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 12/16/2020

12/16/2020 driving. 3:30 pm daytime. Clear weather. Divided highway. Approx 50 mph. No vehicle in front of car for at least a quarter mile. Car initiated sudden stop mode nearly causing a severe rear end collision (avoided by approaching driver going into median).

61 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2019 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 11/09/2020

Driving down a side street I pulled into a parking space behind another vehicle I hit the brakes and instead lurched into the car in front of me. I pushed the vehicle in front of me about 8 feet and finally came to a stop. During this time I repeatedly pressed the brake pedal and had no response. After having the car repaired at the collision center they brought the vehicle to Subaru. Subaru ran a diagnostic test and said that there was nothing wrong with the car. After I received the vehicle from the collision center the passenger side airbag detector would not go off for my wife who weighs under 100 pounds. �to clarify the sensor indicated that the air bag was off. � I sat in the passenger seat and the light went off. Total damage to my car was about $8200 and I'm not certain of the damages to the other vehicle.

62 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2020 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 11/06/2020

I was driving home it was dark and raining. Something hit my windshield when I woke up on Saturday I saw a big crack in the windshield.

63 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2006 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 08/20/2020

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64 Automatic Emergency Braking problem of the 2016 Subaru Forester

Failure Date: 01/17/2020

Context: we were driving on the freeway at ~30-40mph when the car in front suddenly braked and stopped. We hit the breaks at the same time that the automatic brakes kicked in. The car stopped, as needed. Issue: after stopping, we pressed the accelerator to start the car moving again but the car revved instead of accelerating. We pulled off/slowly drifted to the side of the road and turned the car off and then back on before the accelerator started to function. This seemed like an engine problem. Safety risk: during this incident we were stopped on the freeway with no way to accelerate, which was very dangerous. We were lucky to be next to the shoulder lane. Otherwise, we would have been stuck in the middle of a freeway with a speed limit of 60mph. Inspection by Subaru result: "found normal operation on test drive. No current codes or related history codes. Likely a temprary fault under extreme condition. Please monitor".


Other Common Forward Collision Avoidance related problems of Subaru Forester


Forester Service Bulletins
Forester Safety Recalls
Forester Defect Investigations