2001 Subaru Forester Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2001 Subaru Forester recalls

No safety recalls on file for the 2001 Subaru Forester.

Most common 2001 Subaru Forester problems

Problem areas named in the 139 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Vehicle Speed Control	30
Power Train	25
Suspension	16
Engine And Engine Cooling	16
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	14
Air Bags	12
Exterior Lighting	8
Wheels	7
Fuel/Propulsion System	6
Seat Belts	5

What owners report

2016-03-12, Vehicle Speed Control
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 WHICH TAKES PLACE WHEN THE CAR IS STARTING UP. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT I CONSULTED BOTH ASSURED ME THAT THEY HAD ADJUSTED THE IDLE AND THE CAR WAS NOW SAFE TO DRIVE. BUT IS IT?

2016-01-02, Fuel/Propulsion System
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 TO CATCH ON FIRE.

2015-12-21, Air Bags
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, Exterior Lighting
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, Wheels
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 THE TIRES, THEY WOULD BE FLAT BY THE TIME I GOT HOME (JUST A FEW MILES). THIS HAPPENED IN 2003. I HAVE HAD TO HAD THE RIMS TAKEN OFF, GROUND/SMOOTHED OFF, THEN RESEALED EVERY YEAR OR TWO. ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES/WHEELS IS THAT WHEN DRIVING THROUGH SNOW, THE SNOW PACKS ITSELF AROUND THE TIRES COMPLETELY FILLING THE SPACE THAT IS SUPPOSED

2001 Subaru Forester questions

Does the 2001 Subaru Forester have any recalls?

No. NHTSA has no safety recalls on file for the 2001 Subaru Forester at this time.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Subaru Forester?

Based on 139 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Vehicle Speed Control (30), Power Train (25), Suspension (16).

How do I check if a recall on my 2001 Subaru Forester has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.