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1999 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Subaru Forester do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 131.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

50 reports with mileage · 81 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

18 reports
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192 miles · Dec 19, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE A SUBURA 1999 FORESTER IT IS TELLING ME ON INTERNET THEIR IS A RECALL PART NEEDED FOR BRAKES SYSTEM. BUT MY DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOT. .ONLY FOR A DIFFERENT FORESTER. I THINK MY FORESTER SHOULD BE COVERED. IT IS A FORRESTER. I AM HAVING A BRAKE PROBLEM. THE INTERNET SAYS YES THE DEALER SAYS NO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252297

100,000 miles · Feb 6, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID A DOG. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID A DOG. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER THAT THIS WAS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE, RATHER THAN A SAFETY ISSUE. THE SUBARU MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 03-25-08 *BF UPDATED 03/25/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10217305

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2006
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING 1999 FORESTER GAS MILEAGE. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BRAKES, A KNOCK SENSOR, A SQUEAK IN THE CARGO PANEL AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10171181

Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicInjury

UPON ENTERING THE HIGHWAY RAMP, BRAKES FAILED, PEDAL WAS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR RESULTING IN COLLISION WITH THE CAR IN FRONT, 2 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *JG

NHTSA ODI #785776

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

AT SLOW SPEEDS OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP BRAKE PEDAL FEELS MUSHY, THEN, IT GOES TO THE FLOOR. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.

NHTSA ODI #898739

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH APPLIED BRAKE, BRAKING DISTANCE WAS NORMAL. BRAKE PEDAL STAYED ON FLOOR, HAD TO BE PULLED UP. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #893659

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ALL WHEEL DRIVE REBULIT 2/00,AFTER COMPLAING TO SERVICE CENTER THE WHEELS FEEL AS IF THEY ARE NOT WORKING IN UNISON.YTHE CAR DOES THIS ON DRY ROAD (NOT A MUCH),ON WET ROADS MORE FREQUENTLY,IN SONW NOT AT ALL THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND TO CHANGE IN ROAD CONDITIONS AND DOES NOT STOP IN NORMAL TIME,EVEN AFTER APPLYING BRAKES HARD.THE…

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ALL WHEEL DRIVE REBULIT 2/00,AFTER COMPLAING TO SERVICE CENTER THE WHEELS FEEL AS IF THEY ARE NOT WORKING IN UNISON.YTHE CAR DOES THIS ON DRY ROAD (NOT A MUCH),ON WET ROADS MORE FREQUENTLY,IN SONW NOT AT ALL THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND TO CHANGE IN ROAD CONDITIONS AND DOES NOT STOP IN NORMAL TIME,EVEN AFTER APPLYING BRAKES HARD.THE CAR DOES INTERMITTEN STOPPING BEFOREE IT CAME TO A FULL STOP.THIS HAAPENED IN 1/00 AND AGAIN 2/01.THE CAR IS PRESENTLY IN FOR REPAIRS,BUT I AM NOT CONFIDENT WITH THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN. I MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY IF IT OCCURS AGAIN.WHEN I FIRST INQUIRED IF ANY ONE ELSE HAS REPORTED DIFFICULTY WITH THE BRAKES RESPONDING 10/99 AND WAS TOLD NO.THEN WHEN THE CAR DID NOT REPOND TO STOPPING IN 1/00 I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ANTILOCKING BRAKES WORKING BECAUE I WAS ON SNO,BUT WHEN THE CAR SLIPPED DOWN AND COULD NOT MAKE IT UP A SMALL INCLINE THEY TOLD " I FIND THAT HAD TO BELEIVE.THAT WAS WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN AND IT WAS FOUND THE VEHICLE HAD NO ALL WHEEL DIRVE.I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AGAIN FOR THEM TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND WAS TOLD THEY WORKED FINE ACCORDING TO THE SPECIFICATION FOR THIS VEHICLE.THIS CAR IS STATED TO HAVE ALL WHEEL DRIVE ALL THE TIME THIS IS NOT TRUE. I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS AS TO MY SAFETY WHICH HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN SERIOUSLY.I DID COMPLAIN AGAIN AND THEY CHECK THE CAR IN 3/01 AND TOLD ME THE TIRE PRESSURE IN THE REAR WAS LOW,BUT I TRIED TO EXPLAIN I HAVE MY TIRE ROTATED AND CHECK BY SEARS EVERY 6000 MILE AND I CHECK THE TIRES MYSELF BECAUSE I KNOW THIS WILL AFFECT THE RIDE & MILAGE.WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS TAKING THE CAR TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHANGED THE OIL TEMP LIGHT STARTED TO FALSH WHICH INDICATRES THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION.THE DIAGNOSTIC READ CODE;38 TORQUE CONTROL SINGNAL; THE SERVICE TECH THEN PERFORMED TRAN SERVICE,PUT 4 QUARTS OF TRANMISSION FLUID IN THE CAR AND REPLACED THE GASKET(CHARGING ME FOR THIS). I CALLED THEM BACK TO INQUIRE WHY THIS WAS DONE WHEN I HAD THIS SAME SERVICE PERFORMED WHEN THEY DID THIS.

NHTSA ODI #744488

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE PEDAL WAS GOING TO FLOOR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, USED TOE OF SHOE TO LIFT PEDAL BACK UP BEFORE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. THIS WAS A MOMENTARY INCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #883082

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE VEHICLE UNDER MANY CONDITIONS WILL TEND TO ACCELERATE, THIS ALSO HAPPENS ON A 2001 VERSION OF THE SABRU FORESTER S WE ALSO HAVE. THE DEALER HAS NO EXPLAINATION

NHTSA ODI #741340

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION (99V-040), HOWEVER DEALERSHIP REFUSED REPAIR, DEALERSHIP NOT INFORMED. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #552665

Official recalls

1

99V040000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Mar 3, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). (THE 1999 2.2 LITER LEGACY VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED). IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE99020 · Seat Belt Anchorage Separation

Opened Mar 5, 1999 · Closed Mar 26, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

ODI HAS ONE COMPLAINT ALLEGING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE, LOCATED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND CENTER CONSOLE, BECAME DETACHED WHILE DRIVING.IN ADDITION, THE OWNER INSPECTED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE AND FOUND THAT THE BOLT WAS PARTIALLY BACKED-OUT.THE COMPLAINT VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH LEATHER SEAT COVERS AND HEATED FRONT SEATS.BECAUSE OF THESE OPTIONS, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE INSTALLED BY AN OUTSIDE VENDOR AT THE PORT OF ENTRY IN VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON.SUBARU STATES THAT A SMALL QUANTITY OF VEHICLES WITH HEATEDFRONT SEATS DID NOT HAVE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY INSTALLED WHEN THEY ARRIVED IN VANCOUVER.THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES WERE SUPPLIED SEPARATELY FROM THE FRONT SEATS AND AN OUTSIDE VENDOR INSTALLED BOTH THE LEATHER SEAT COVERS AND THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES TO THE SEAT FRAME.SUBARU HAS SEARCHED THEIR FILES AND FOUND NO ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS OR WARRANTY CLAIMS ON FORESTER VEHICLES FOR LOOSE SEAT BELT BOLTS.SUBARU ALSO CONFIRMED THAT WITH THEIR CURRENT QUALITY ASSURANCE INSPECTIONS THAT SUCH A CONDITION CANNOT GO UNNOTICED IN THE FUTURE.

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