🚗 AutoDefect IQ

2001 Subaru Forester problems, complaints & recalls

Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (22) · Suspension:rear (9) · Power Train:clutch Assembly (8)

🧭 Reliability snapshot

92 /100
✓ Typical or better for this model

Compared against other Subaru Forester model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →

🛣️ Complaints by mileage

<25k miles: 8 complaints <25k 25–50k miles: 22 complaints 22 25–50k 50–75k miles: 14 complaints 50–75k 75–100k miles: 17 complaints 75–100k 100–125k miles: 5 complaints 100–125k 125–150k miles: 1 complaints 125–150k 150k+ miles: 6 complaints 150k+

73 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.

139
Complaints
0
Recalls
111
Service bulletins
31
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
3
Deaths

Safety recalls (0)

No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).

Service bulletins (111)

Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.

Unknown Or Other 2025-11-20 · Subaru Tech Tips (Article · Other

subaru service article locator.

Unknown Or Other 2025-11-20 · Subaru Tech Tips (Article · Other

subaru service article locator.

Unknown Or Other 2025-10-29 · 15-130-08R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

this bulletin provides information on the load carrying capacity reduced label when a port-installed or retailer-installed accessory exeeds 1.5 percent of the gvwr or 100 pounds, which ever is lower.

Electrical System 2025-10-28 · 15-308-23R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

this service information bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.

Unknown Or Other 2025-10-28 · Subaru Tech Tips (Article · Other

subaru tech tips newsletter article locator.

Unknown Or Other 2025-10-28 · Subaru Tech Tips (Article · Other

subaru tech tips newsletter article locator.

Showing the 6 most recent of 111 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.

What owners report

2016-03-12 · Vehicle Speed Control · 57,045 mi · 💥 crash

“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 occasions i had taken this car to check out the surging …”

2016-01-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 180,000 mi

“when the temperature gets cold and i turn on the defrost to warm up the car while parked i can smell gas in the vehicle. it goes away once i start driving. this is a problem many subaru owners have because a hose loosens and allows gas to leak out. once the car warms up the hose tightens and the problem goes away. this can potentially cause my car …”

2015-12-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 95,000 mi

“whenever the outside temperature drops below 20 degrees fahrenheit, there is a strong odor of gasoline in and around the car. when taken to a mechanic, i was informed that all of the hose clamps on the fuel lines were loose. they were then tightened but every time the outside temperature drops, it happens again. it happens whether parked outside…”

2015-12-21 · Exterior Lighting · 56,000 mi

“when turning the turn signals on, the headlights go off. this happens frequently, suddenly plunging you into darkness. the headlight covers are made of inferior plastic that clouds over with age, making it impossible to see at night. i had to have them replaced because it looked as if the headlights were not on when they were.…”

2015-12-21 · Air Bags · 56,000 mi

“the driver's seat belt does not retract. then it gets closed in the door because it hangs loose. in the back seat, the middle seat belt has the wrong part so it cannot be latched. because of this, i cannot safely drive with more than 2 passengers in the back seat. …”

2015-12-21 · Wheels · 56,000 mi

“in december, less than 3 months after buying the car used, while driving i heard what sounded like a flat tire. i was only a few hundred feet from a service station so drove to it, but driving that short distance ruined the tire. i had just put air in the tires, but didn't know about the problem with aluminum rims. often, after putting air in th…”

2015-08-21 · Service Brakes · 194,503 mi · 💥 crash

“tl* the contact owns a 2001 subaru forester. while driving approximately 55 mph and engaging the brake pedal, the abs malfunctioned and erroneously activated, which prevented the brakes from stopping the vehicle. the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a concrete median, which caused significant damage to the front end of the vehicl…”

2015-03-19 · Structure:frame And Members · 100,000 mi

“tl* the contact owns a 2001 subaru forester. while driving approximately 35 mph, the rear end of the vehicle swayed from side to side without warning. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the f…”

2015-02-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System

“subaru forester smells of gas inside cab when weather is cold. gas leak visible first time it occurred in 2013. i tightened a clamp and leak stopped. this winter i cannot see the leak, but the fuel smell overtakes my car about 5 minutes into warming up. eventually it dissipates but i do believe that there is a leak somewhere in the vehicle. this se…”

2014-12-18 · Suspension · 190,000 mi

“tl* the contact owns 2001 subaru forester. the contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the rear cross member became fractured. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the rear cross member failed. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was …”

Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.

Other Subaru Forester years