2001 Subaru FORESTER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
139 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
57,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 73 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 139 complaints (15.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 28 | 20.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 9.4% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 5.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 1.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 22 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 10 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 9 |
| Suspension:Rear | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 22; Air Bags:Frontal: 10; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 9; Suspension:Rear: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 22 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 17 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 22; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 17; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 6
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 66 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 23 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2003 | 22 |
| 2004 | 16 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 2 |
2000: 7; 2001: 23; 2002: 15; 2003: 22; 2004: 16; 2005: 13; 2006: 8; 2007: 6; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 5; 2015: 7; 2016: 2
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001435 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER A SNOW STORM THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE WILL BECOME IMPACTED WITH SNOW CAUSING VERY SEVERE VIBRATIONS THAT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL. *JG *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003532 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
SUBARU FORESTER 2001 - WAS BACKING UP AND ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK - FLYING BACK IN REVERSE ABOUT 50 FEET - HITTING TREE AND COMING FORWARD ABOUT 20 FT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003532 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004572 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED, THERE WAS A SEVERE VIBRATION WHICH ALMOST CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A LOT OF SNOW WAS PACKED IN THE WHEELS.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004846 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
DEALER INSTALLED ON THE HOOD AN ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD DEFLECTOR, SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH THE WINDSHIELD REFLECTOR COLLAPSED AND DEALER TOLD CONSUMER GUARANTEE IS OVER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004846 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005513 · 2003-02-08 (February 8, 2003)
EXHAUST FUMES SOME CO POISONING SYMPTOMS 2001 SUBARU FORESTER POSTED BY DAVE ON FEBRUARY 08, 03 AT 06:52:29: I FUELED MY FORESTER WITH 91 OCTANE PREMIUM FUEL AND TOOK OFF ON A 5 HR DRIVE TO DENVER. THERE WERE EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS 40 MPH WINDS AND GROUND BLIZZARDS. SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 75 MPH AND IT WAS ALL THE CAR COULD DO TO MAINTAIN 70 MPH IN HIGH GEAR AND ON SOME HILLS IT WOULD DOWNSHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR TO SATISFY THE COMPUTER SETTING OF 75. AFTER 2+ HOURS OF DRIVING I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES. I DEVELOPED …
Owner-reported narrative. 37,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007715 · 2003-02-18 (February 18, 2003)
BLOWN HEAD GASKET CAUSING LEAK OF COOLANT AT 75,000 MILES ON A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008211 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
BRAKE ROTORS WERE PACKED WITH LEAVES AND STONES. CAR NEEDED TO BE PLACED ON LIFT TO REMOVE THE DEBRIS. COULD NOT DRIVE DUE TO HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL AND CONCERN ABOUT CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE. SUBARU TOOK FOUR HOURS TO PICK UP CAR. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER FINALLY, WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT A SUBARU PROBLEM AND THEY INDICATED I SHOULD BE CHARGED FOR A HALF HOUR LABOR AND WOULD NOT PAY FOR TOW. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING ON DIRT ROADS (ISN'T THAT WHAT SUV'S ARE DESIGNED FOR?) I THINK THERE MUST BE A FLAW IN DESIGN OF FORES…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009524 · 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.*DT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009524 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.