2001 Subaru Forester: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2001 Subaru Forester? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 146 complaints, with Unintended Acceleration as the top reported area.
2001 Subaru Forester Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2001 Subaru Forester trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2001 Subaru Forester Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2001 Subaru Forester has 146 owner complaints, 32 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Unintended Acceleration. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Subaru
- Model
- Forester
- Model year
- 2001
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 146
- Crash-related complaints
- 32
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Top reported component
- Unintended Acceleration
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 21
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 19 / 25
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 3/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- No
Most Common 2001 Subaru Forester Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Unintended Acceleration
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Complaint patterns center on Unintended Acceleration, Transmission / Drivetrain, Engine Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2001 Subaru Forester?
The 2001 Subaru Forester shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2001 Subaru Forester
Inspection Focus
- Inspect for unintended acceleration issues and review any related service history.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, engine, and brake system.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect for unintended acceleration issues and review any related service history.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, engine, and brake system.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2001 Subaru Forester, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2001 Subaru Forester are concentrated in unintended acceleration, transmission/drivetrain, and engine problems. Crash-related complaints account for a notable portion of total reports. The data suggests potential issues with multiple critical systems.
- Unintended acceleration is the most reported component with 30 complaints.
- Transmission/drivetrain issues are the second most common complaint.
- Engine problems, brake system, and suspension failures each have 17-18 complaints.
- Unintended Acceleration
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Engine Problems
All 2001 Subaru Forester Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Subaru Forester. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unintended Acceleration | 30 | 17 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 23 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 17 | 6 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 17 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 14 | 5 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 13 | 12 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 5 | 4 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2001 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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. …
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 …
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 T…
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…
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 LOO…
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.
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 …
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…
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 B…
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 MANUFACT…
BRAKES JUST DO NOT WORK ON SNOW, ICE (ABS DOES NOT KICK IN), AND THE WHEELS DO NOT TURN. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, RAN INTO AN INTERSECTION ON RED AT LEAST 4 TIMES. ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN; NOTICED OTHER COMPLAINTS OF ACCIDENTS. *TR
IN COLD WEATHER WE GET A STRONG FUEL SMELL. THE SMELL ENTERS THE CAR AND GIVES EVERYONE A HEADACHE. OTHER SUBARU OWNERS WE KNOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SUBARU KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT MAKE A RECALL. ESTIMATES FOR A FIX RUN ABOUT $300. *TR
WHEN IT IS BELOW 25 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, FUEL LINES AND RELATED COMPONENTS (INCLUDING RETAINING CLIPS AND FITTINGS) LEAK GASOLINE, CAUSING GAS FUMES TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS PROBLEM IS SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS A FUEL LINE SEEP. FUMES THEN ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPAR…
WHEN IT IS BELOW 25 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, FUEL LINES AND RELATED COMPONENTS (INCLUDING RETAINING CLIPS AND FITTINGS) LEAK GASOLINE, CAUSING GAS FUMES TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS PROBLEM IS SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS A FUEL LINE SEEP. FUMES THEN ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPAR…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING, IT ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR BEING DEPRESSED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE FIFTEEN FEET AWAY AND ALMOST HIT A PE…
ON MONDAY AT 4:50 PM I WAS DRIVING N A SCHOOL ZONE AND REALIZED THAT I WAS HAVING TO RIDE MY BRAKES I ALSO THOUGHT THERE WAS SOME FUNNY NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. I ROLLED DOWN MY WINDOW AND COULDN'T HEAR ANY THING. AS I APPROACHED THE STOP SIGN MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND I PRESSED MY…
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG NOISE AND LOOKED BEHIND ME AND SAW BLACK SMOKE AND HAD LOST ALL POWER, NO POWER STEERING, NO BRAKES AND NO LIGHTS I HAD TO TRY TO CROSS 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET MY CAR TO THE SHOULDER WHILE IT WAS DECELERATING. I G…
DRIVING N ON I5 HIGHWAY WHEN CAR MADE NOISES, PULLED OVER & WOULD NOT START AGAIN. TOWED IN. WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE WAS DEAD. CAR HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED BY DEALER. HAD TO BUY NEW ENGINE. SUBARU WOULD NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. CAR HAD VERY LOW MILEAGE & WAS IN GOOD SHAPE. WHEN DO…
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET. TRIED TO CANCEL CRUISE CONTROL WITH STALK, IT DID NOT DISENGAGE. TRIED REPEATEDLY, IT DID NOT DISENGAGE. HIT THE BRAKES TO CANCEL CRUISE CONTROL, IT DID NOT DISENGAGE (BRAKES ONLY SLOWED CAR DOWN). STEPPED ON THE CLUTCH TO…
THE ISSUE IS IN REGARD TO MY 2001 SUBARU FORESTER, WHEN THE WEATHER COOLS OFF TO BELLOW 0, A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE DEVELOPS INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN. I HAVE SMALL KIDS AND ASIDE FROM A POSSIBILITY OF AND ENGINE FIRE AM ALSO WORRIED ABOUT IMPACT OF BREATHING THE STRONG GASOLI…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2001 Subaru Forester.
2001 Subaru Forester Recalls
0 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2001 Subaru Forester. No recall campaigns are currently listed for this model year in the dataset, but VIN-level recall checks are still essential. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
No recall campaigns found for this model year in the current data. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls directly for the latest information.
2001 Subaru Forester Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2001 Subaru Forester reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 146 owner complaints, 32 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2001 Subaru Forester shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Subaru Forester?▾
#1: Unintended Acceleration (30 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (23 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (18 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2001 Subaru Forester?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2001 Subaru Forester?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2001 Subaru Forester, NHTSA complaints include 32 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 146 total complaints. 25 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2001 Subaru Forester have any recalls?▾
No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2001 Subaru Forester in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.
Should I buy a 2001 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2001 Subaru Forester shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Unintended Acceleration during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2001 Subaru Forester based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.