Is your 2020 Subaru Forester key fob refusing to cooperate? Before you panic, the most common culprit is a dead battery. Don’t worry, replacing the battery in your 2020 Forester key fob is a straightforward task you can easily handle yourself. This guide will walk you through each step, ensuring you get back to unlocking your Subaru with ease.
Knowing how to replace your key fob battery is not only convenient but also empowers you to handle minor car maintenance tasks. Let’s dive into the simple process of swapping out that old battery for a fresh one, keeping your 2020 Subaru Forester key fob working perfectly.
Identifying Your 2020 Subaru Forester Key Fob Type
Subaru, including the 2020 Forester model, typically uses a few different key fob designs. While the battery replacement process is similar across these designs, knowing your key fob type helps ensure you follow the most accurate steps. For the 2020 Forester, you’ll most likely encounter the “bulging rectangle shape” key fob.
If you’re unsure, your Subaru Forester owner’s manual is the best resource for identifying your specific key fob. Alternatively, visually compare your key fob to the descriptions below to determine which guide to follow.
Subaru Key Fob Battery Replacement – Bulging Rectangle Shape (Most Common for 2020 Forester)
Battery Required: CR2032
This type of key fob, often used with the 2020 Subaru Forester, is characterized by its rectangular shape with a slight bulge. It requires a CR2032 battery, a common and readily available coin cell battery. Here’s how to replace the battery in this fob:
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Remove the Emergency Key: Locate the small silver tab on the back of your 2020 Forester key fob. Press and hold this tab to release and remove the metal emergency key. This key is a backup to manually unlock your car door if the key fob battery is completely dead.
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Pry Open the Key Fob: With the emergency key removed, you’ll see a seam running along the edge of the key fob. Carefully insert a flathead screwdriver or a similar thin, flat tool into this seam. Gently twist or pry to separate the two halves of the fob. Take your time and avoid applying excessive force to prevent damage to the casing.
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Locate the Battery: Once the fob is open, you’ll see the internal components, including the transmitter circuit board and the round, flat key fob battery. Depending on how the fob opens, the battery might be positioned on either side of the circuit board.
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Replace the Battery: Gently release the old CR2032 battery. You might be able to pry it out with your fingertip or the flathead screwdriver. Take the new CR2032 battery and position it in the battery compartment, ensuring the correct side is facing upwards (usually the positive side, marked with a “+” symbol, faces up). Try to minimize touching the flat surfaces of the new battery to avoid transferring oils from your fingers, which can potentially reduce battery life.
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Reassemble the Key Fob: Carefully snap the two halves of the key fob casing back together. Press firmly until you hear or feel them click securely into place. Finally, slide the metal emergency key back into its slot until it locks.
Subaru Key Fob Battery Replacement – Teardrop Shape
Battery Required: CR2025
While less common for the 2020 Forester, older Subaru models may use a teardrop-shaped key fob. This design doesn’t have a separate emergency key release. The battery replacement steps are very similar to the bulging rectangle fob, but it uses a CR2025 battery. Simply follow steps 2-5 from the previous section, remembering to use a CR2025 battery instead of a CR2032.
Subaru Key Fob Battery Replacement – Exposed Metal Key With Buttons
Battery Required: CR1620
This is the oldest style of electronic Subaru key fob, featuring a permanently exposed metal key. The key difference with this fob is the presence of a second, smaller internal casing within the main fob.
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Open the Exterior Casing: Follow step 2 from the “Bulging Rectangle Shape” instructions to open the main, exterior casing of the fob.
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Open the Interior Casing: Inside the exterior casing, you’ll find a smaller, interior casing. This inner casing typically has small tabs holding it together. Carefully press on these tabs to release and open the interior casing.
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Replace the Battery: Once the interior casing is open, you can access the battery. Remove the old CR1620 battery and replace it with a new one, ensuring the correct polarity.
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Reassemble: Close the interior casing, place it back inside the exterior casing, and snap everything securely back together.
What if Battery Replacement Doesn’t Solve the Issue?
If you’ve replaced your 2020 Subaru Forester key fob battery and it’s still not working, there might be a different issue. In some cases, the key fob itself might need to be replaced or reprogrammed.
For newer Subaru models, including the 2020 Forester with the bulging rectangular fob, key fob programming often requires professional dealership assistance. If a new battery doesn’t solve the problem, contacting your local Subaru dealer is the best course of action. They have the specialized equipment to diagnose key fob issues and program new fobs if necessary.
While older Subaru key fobs can sometimes be programmed at home using a specific sequence of steps, this is less common with newer models like the 2020 Forester. Attempting DIY programming on newer models might not be successful and could potentially cause further issues.
Rely on Certified Subaru Service
While replacing your 2020 Subaru Forester key fob battery is a simple DIY task, more complex key fob problems or the need for reprogramming are best handled by professionals. If you encounter any difficulties or if a new battery doesn’t resolve your key fob issue, don’t hesitate to schedule service with a certified Subaru dealership. They have the expertise and equipment to ensure your key fob and vehicle security system are working correctly. This ensures peace of mind and proper functionality of your 2020 Subaru Forester.
