2020 Subaru Forester forward collision avoidance problems

“On XXX, while driving my 2020 Subaru Forester Sport (VIN [XXX]) at approximately 35 mph on [XXX], the check engine light came on and EyeSight, adaptive cruise control, and pre-collision braking were disabled / other warning lights appeared / engine temperature issues. A diagnostic scan showed code [P2682 / P26A3 / P26A5], and the Thermo Control Valve (TCV) was found to be defective. Mileage at failure: 33,297. Subaru has acknowledged this defect in Technical Service Bulletin 09-119-24, which extends warranty coverage for the TCV on 2019–2021 Foresters to 15 years/150,000 miles. However, Subaru of America denied coverage and goodwill (case XXX) because the vehicle was originally sold in [XXX] through Subaru’s independent distributor, Trebol Motors, before I moved to [XXX] in XXX. This failure disables key safety systems without warning and should be addressed through a safety recall that covers all affected vehicles, including those sold in U.S. territories.”

“**Component or System:** Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist System (specifically the Pre-Collision Throttle Management system). **Incident Description & Warning Messages:** There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms of any problem prior to this failure. The incident occurred while I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection. When the light turned green, I removed my foot from the brake and pressed the gas pedal to proceed, but the vehicle would not accelerate. The system had engaged a false-positive throttle cut. At that exact moment, the car began beeping repeatedly and the EyeSight logo flashed on the dashboard, incorrectly indicating an obstacle or imminent collision, even though the path in front of my vehicle was completely clear. **Safety Risk:** My safety and the safety of others were put at significant risk because the vehicle was unexpectedly immobilized in an active intersection during a green light. This sudden, unwarranted loss of acceleration created a high risk of being rear-ended by the drivers behind me who were expecting the flow of traffic to resume. **Reproduced, Confirmed, or Inspected:** Because this incident just occurred, the…”

“While driving on public roads, all dash warning lights illuminated simultaneously. The instrument cluster displayed “EyeSight OFF.” At the same time, the electronic parking brake engaged / the vehicle would not accelerate and required me to stop and shift to Park. The only way to restore drivability was to turn the vehicle off and restart. This has occurred intermittently, including in traffic, creating a serious safety hazard for myself and surrounding drivers.”

“I, the owner of a 2020 Subaru Forester am writing to you in regards to an issue with my vehicle’s Eyesight program. Over the past month, there have been several instances where the Eyesight program fails and caused the vehicle to suddenly stop without warning. This prevents me from safely moving the vehicle to the side of the road as the car stops. In other words, the car abruptly stops on the spot. This creates an immediate danger to life and health to myself and to other motorists. This issue must be addressed immediately and the necessary steps taken to ensure the safety the driver, passengers and other motorists on the road. Thank you for understanding.”

“In April 2022 after owning the car for 4 weeks the Eyesight went out. I was told it was due to the thermal control module. That was replaced. I’m n June 2023 the AC went out. They said it was the blower motor. That was replaced. In September 2023 the AC went out again. At that point they found the cause was actually a fully melted fuse box and fuses. They replaced the fusebox and the entire AC system. I have had 3 batteries in the vehicle since March 2022. In December 2024 they found that my car needed an update and the update friend the transmission controls module. Then the starter went out at the same time. After that was fixed a week later all the lights in my dash came on and there were no safety features running in the vehicle. I reach out to Subaru and I was told this was all normal wear and tear in the vehicle and it just happens. A melted fuse box and safely features just randomly dying on a 4.5 year old car goes deeper than that. There has been almost $12000 in repaired performed on this car and the ones remaining are undiagnosed as they have never seen the codes before. This is a mush larger issue and Subaru refuses to do anything.”

“"Check Engine" light along with "Eye Sight" appeared suddenly on Nov. 22, 2024. All safety systems along with cruise control became inoperable. Took car to Subaru dealer and it was confirmed to be the catalytic converter. My VIN is covered under extended warranty, but I was never notified of this. Plus, now repairs are of an emergency nature. Also, I do a lot of driving including on the NJ Turnpike, I-95, etc., and while I am awaiting car to be repaired, I have no safety features to rely on--which was one of the reasons I bought a Subaru. They will not pay for a courtesy car loan. Another issue is the Thermo Control Valve. I was notified that I have an extended warranty for this, but part has to FAIL before Subaru will make repairs. Once again this becomes an emergency repair situation instead of a proactive one.”