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2001 Subaru ForesterProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 139 owner complaints about the 2001 Subaru Forester, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

2001 Subaru Forester
50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Forester median · #13 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints13951 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage71kVehicle speed control, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 12, 2016. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Subaru Forester has problems

139 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
Vehicle speed control2917
Power train230
Engine and engine cooling160
Suspension150
Service brakes, hydraulic135
Air bags1211
Wheels70
Exterior lighting60
Fuel/propulsion system61
11 other systems337

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

0 recalls

2001 Subaru Forester recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

2001 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

2001 Subaru Forester safety ratings

2001 Subaru Forester 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2001 Subaru Forester side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Forester owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE PULLING OUT OF A CURBSIDE PARKING PLACE ON A CITY STREET THE ENGINE STARTED RACING AND I COULD NOT CONTROL IT BY STOMPING ON THE BRAKES OR APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. AS I WAS WRESTLING TO KEEP THE SURGING CAR UNDER CONTROL ANOTHER CAR CAME DRIVING BY AND WAS SIDESWIPED. ON TWO PRIOR…
Complaint 10846270 · Mar 12, 2016 · 57,045 miles
BRAKES JUST DO NOT WORK ON SNOW, ICE (ABS DOES NOT KICK IN), AND THE WHEELS DO NOT TURN. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, RAN INTO AN INTERSECTION ON RED AT LEAST 4 TIMES. ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN; NOTICED OTHER COMPLAINTS OF ACCIDENTS. *TR
Complaint 10563597 · Feb 9, 2014 · 20,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING, IT ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR BEING DEPRESSED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE FIFTEEN FEET AWAY AND ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN WHEN THE…
Complaint 10547521 · Oct 10, 2013 · 78,000 miles

Own a 2001 Forester?

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