2001 Subaru Forester problems
Owners have filed 169 complaints about the 2001 Subaru Forester with NHTSA. Vehicle speed control accounts for 17.8% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of power train at 14.8%.
Complaints169
Crashes39
Fires0
Injuries31
Deaths3
What owners report breaking
Vehicle speed control 17.8% · 30
Power train 14.8% · 25
Engine and engine cooling 9.5% · 16
Suspension 9.5% · 16
Service brakes, hydraulic 8.3% · 14
Air bags 7.1% · 12
Exterior lighting 4.7% · 8
Wheels 4.1% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 39 describe a crash, 31 report an injury and 3 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 23 model years of the Subaru Forester in this data, 2001 sits 14th by complaint volume. 2019 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 15 in the last three years against 12 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 60,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2001 Subaru Forester. While driving 5 mph with the contact's foot off the accelerator pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 30 mph. She depressed the brake pedal, however, the vehicle continued to accelerate and crashed into a tree. The vehicle was destroyed. The driver sustained bruises from the seat belt. The current and failure mileages were 64,000. Vehicle speed control · reported at 64,000 miles
On 3/31/2004 I was exiting the parking lot of a supermarket in jackson, when suddenly, my 2001 Forester lurched forward and continued to accelerate even as I was breaking. It went out into cooper street (a very busy street). Fortunately there were no oncoming cars. It continued over the curb and hit several trees before it stopped. Vehicle speed control · reported at 55,000 miles
Sudden acceleration..Car was idling few minutes in park in my driveway,before entering garage. When shifted to drive, with foot still on brake, car revved up, accelerated, crashed through garage wall into family room of home. Brakes did not work;only impact stopped car. Airbag did not open. Vehicle speed control
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…