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
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
Compare all Forester years →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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
18 reportsTL*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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION (99V-040), HOWEVER DEALERSHIP REFUSED REPAIR, DEALERSHIP NOT INFORMED. *MJS
Official recalls
199V040000 · 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
1PE99020 · 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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