2020 Subaru Forester locked and will not open with key fob

Ever figure this out. Happening to me right now.

I wonder whether this is the result of the Pin Code Access system (see https://bit.ly/2D5UV6o) being inadvertently activated by that sequence of events, as it deactivates being able to unlock the car with the key fob. If so, it's probably a software problem that isn't likely to be fixed (unless Subaru gets thousands of complaints about it). In the meantime, I'd suggest either shutting down the engine or leaving the door open.

Use your warranty!

Thanks for the help. I was able to use the key to get in. I'm calling Subaru in the morning and giving them an earful. I would take it back if it was up to me. My wife likes it but I have found more things I dislike than things I like.

"I have found more things I dislike than things I like." Sounds like a Subaru to me.

I had the same problem with being locked out while car was running even though I did not lock it. We had no power at home so I was using the headlights to shine on my house entrance door. When I went back to the car the engine was still running and it was locked. To make it worse, while I had the farb and cell phone with me outside the car, the cell phone was working thru the Android Auto Application and thus I had to call AAA who came with a special tool that they inserted in passenger side front window and unlocked the door. I never got a regular manual key with my car. However, after reading above post, I found that if you press the little back square on the back of the farb and pull on the key ring at the top that it will release a small manual key you can use to open the door. No one at Subaru ever told me about this feature. I was glad to have such a responsive AAA service, but wish I had know about the hidden key in the farb. THANK YOU to ever posted that info. I went on line or saw the video describing how to access the manual key from the farb.

My 2019 Subaru Forrester locked with the key fob inside. I live in Canada and today it is -18. I used my remote car starter and put my purse (with my keys inside) on the passenger seat and opened the back door to remove the snow sweeper. I finished sweeping the snow off my car but my car was locked. I was told this doesn't happen and that I must have locked the car myself. As I said to the manager, that would be impossible given the last door I opened was the rear passenger side to get the brush out.

Cars are over chipped and over sensor’d. This is a disaster trend fir all vehicles. Just dumb.

Same thing happening to me today with a 2019. I came out to my car this morning and the doors wouldn't open. Pressed the buttons on the FOB and no response. I went back inside to get the second FOB which has never been used in my 2 years of leasing the car and tried that. Same deal, no response. This IS NOT a broken FOB issue. I'm guessing a software glitch. Waiting for the tow truck now and grateful this happened to me at home and not up in the mountains after a long hike, no cell phone reception, and no way to charge my phone which is often dead after long hikes. So much for a reliable adventure vehicle!!!

Michael, I hope you'll see the posts about using the physical key that's inside the fob to unlock the door--there's no reason to stay locked out and need a tow (however that would work with the car in Park) when you're holding a physical key in your hand.

It just happened to me with my dog in the car. I was putting the car in the garage and got out to see if I was in far enough and closed the door. The car was running and i wasn't able to get back in. Checked this website after I called Subaru roadside service and read about the hidden key in the fob. That did the trick to get me back in to my running car. We called back to roadside service to cancel the service. They had no record of our call. They wanted the last eight digits of the VIN so I gave it to them and still no record. Then she asked for the whole VIN number and I told her to look it up by our last name. No record! Not a good experience with the SUBARU roadside service! Thanks again for the key in the fob trick...I just taught it to my wife as I don't want her stranded!

Just happened to my 2020 Forester! My daughter took the car - apparently did not shut it off . . locked doors. The fob would not unlock the car. I met her with the spare - spare would not work - - the app on the phone would not work. Nothing would open the car - - tried the Subaru roadside assistance - - Horrible - - - i rebooted my cell phone and i was then able to use the app to unlock the door. Thanks for one of the posts above about the "spare" key - I am not a Fob Fan!!

Just happened to me with my 2020 legacy…. Started the car from my phone, then turned the car on so it wouldn’t shut off while I finished loading.. came back out with my keys in my pocket - wouldn’t open! Couldn’t open any doors, no buttons on the fob would do anything. I could open the trunk but couldn’t unlock, even with my spare fob. Finally, tried the app on my phone and was able to unlock. Scary few minutes though!!

This just happened to me this morning as well. VERY frustrating and stressful! My car was turned on, went to take trash out. Had my phone and fob on my person, and the fob would not unlock, nor the spare key. I JUST put in a new fob battery end of December, so that was not the issue. Thankfully I used my App to unlock the door.