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1999 Subaru ForesterProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 131 owner complaints about the 1999 Subaru Forester, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

61
CarFlaw IndexSolid year37% below the Forester median · #18 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints13110 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage55kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 28, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Subaru Forester has problems

131 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train320
Suspension250
Engine and engine cooling250
Service brakes, hydraulic183
Tires70
Vehicle speed control60
Fuel system, gasoline50
Wheels40
Seat belts41
9 other systems224

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1999 Subaru Forester recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Foundation components: master cylinder

Recall 99V-040 · Mar 3, 1999 · 221,987 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.

Best & worst years

1999 vs. every other Forester year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Forester median. How we score

'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1999 Subaru Forester safety ratings

1999 Subaru Forester 4-DR. 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1999 Subaru Forester frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1999 Subaru Forester, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATIONPE99020 · closed Mar 26, 1999
    No recall
In owners' words

What Forester owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

AS OTHERS HAVE STATED HERE AND MANY MORE FROM VARIOUS SUBARU FORUMS, I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE ISSUE (IT ACTS AS IF IT'S IN NEUTRAL) WITH THE AT. IT CAN TAKE SEVERAL SECONDS TO SEVERAL MINUTES (AND SOMETIMES LONGER OR NOT AT ALL) BEFORE IT ENGAGES. I USUALLY HAVE TO REV/PUMP…
Complaint 10871310 · May 28, 2016 · 89,000 miles
THERE ARE DAYS WHERE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO DRIVE. IT GOES IN REVERSE BUT STILL NOT ENGAGE THE DRIVE GEAR. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK OF THE VEHICLE SITTING AND NOT BEING TURNED ON IT WILL ENGAGE AND WORK FINE. BUT WILL DO IT AGAIN A FEW WEEKS TO A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER.
Complaint 10717441 · May 20, 2015
199 SUBARU FORESTER. LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN SARBANES ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT WITH CONCERNS ABOUT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH SUBARU VEHICLES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PUT THE GEAR INTO DRIVE. A MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE FAILURE WAS WITH THE CLUTCH. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED…
Complaint 10351029 · Aug 20, 2010 · 119,000 miles

Own a 1999 Forester?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.