Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
75
Latest Oct 28, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
7
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported
Overview
Our database contains 75 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Subaru Forester, most frequently naming the suspension, transmission and engine categories. 74 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
Monthly complaints peaked at 4 in Apr 2001. Most recent month: 1.View as table
Monthly owner complaints for the 2000 Subaru Forester
Month
Complaints filed
Cumulative
Apr 2000
3
5
Jun 2000
1
6
Aug 2000
1
7
Sep 2000
1
8
Feb 2001
3
11
Mar 2001
1
12
Apr 2001
4
16
Jun 2001
2
18
Jul 2001
1
19
Aug 2001
1
20
Sep 2001
1
21
Dec 2001
1
22
Jan 2002
1
23
Mar 2002
1
24
May 2002
1
25
Jul 2002
1
26
Aug 2002
1
27
Nov 2002
1
28
Feb 2003
1
29
Mar 2003
2
31
Apr 2003
1
32
May 2003
1
33
Jun 2003
1
34
Jul 2003
1
35
Aug 2003
1
36
Sep 2003
2
38
May 2004
1
39
Jun 2004
1
40
Jul 2004
2
42
Oct 2004
1
43
Nov 2004
2
45
Jan 2005
1
46
Feb 2005
1
47
Mar 2005
1
48
Apr 2005
1
49
Jul 2005
1
50
Aug 2005
1
51
Sep 2005
1
52
Feb 2006
1
53
Mar 2006
1
54
Apr 2006
1
55
May 2006
1
56
Jun 2006
1
57
Dec 2006
1
58
May 2007
1
59
Jul 2007
1
60
Sep 2007
1
61
Feb 2008
2
63
Mar 2008
1
64
Apr 2008
1
65
Aug 2008
1
66
Feb 2009
1
67
Jul 2009
1
68
Aug 2009
1
69
Sep 2009
1
70
Dec 2009
1
71
Apr 2010
1
72
Sep 2010
1
73
Feb 2011
1
74
Oct 2022
1
75
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2000 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle began to shake and suddenly veered into the left lane into oncoming traffic. The contact stated that the vehicle had stopped in the middle of the road. The contact was unaware of any warning light being illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had to be pushed off the roadway. The contact stated that the passenger’s side front tire was at a 90-degree angle to the wheel well. The contact stated that he could see that the control arm had snapped. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the control arms, the inner power steering rack, and front stabilizer bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
NHTSA ID
11491360
Incident
Oct 15, 2022
Mileage
90,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 28, 2011
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU FORRESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED OVER HEATING. HE PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICE COOLANT COMING FROM UNDERNEATH OF THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICES THE VEHICLE HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND LEAKING RADIATOR COOLANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000...MW
NHTSA ID
10384792
Incident
Feb 11, 2011
Mileage
85,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 26, 2010
Crash reported1 injury reported
ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2010, OUR 2000 SUBARU FORRESTER WENT INTO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE CAUSING THE CAR TO BE TOTALED, DAMAGE TO A FORD F350 TRUCK AND INJURY TO THE OWNER OF THE TRUCK. SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED IN 2008 WHEN GOING FORWARD AND COMING TO A STOP BEFORE ENTERING A HIGHWAY. CAR ACCELERATED AND HAD TO PRESS BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE UNTIL THE BRAKE MET THE FLOOR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC, WHO EXAMINED IT AND COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. HE ADVISED TAKING IT TO A SUBARU DEALER WHICH WE DID. THEY HAD THE CAR FROM FEBRUARY 11 TO MARCH 10, 2008 BUT FAILED TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. BEFORE THE SEPTEMBER 12, 2010 INCIDENT, THE CAR WOULD SOMETIMES HESITATE AFTER A STOP AND THEN LURCH FORWARD, BUT WOULD NOT GO OUT OF CONTROL AS IT DID TWO WEEKS AGO. THE CAR WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND INSPECTED DURING THE 10 YEARS WE HAD IT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10357727
Incident
Sep 12, 2010
Mileage
95,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 17, 2010
HAD 2000 SUBARU FORESTER (83,000 MI) AT DEALER FOR INSPECTION. DEALER NOTIFIED US THAT CAR FAILED DUE TO EXTERNAL HEAD GASKET LEAK. DEALER SAYS THERE IS OIL DRIPPING ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IT IS A FIRE HAZARD SO UNLESS WE REPLACE HEAD GASKET THE CAR FAILS. SUBARU PREVIOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGED A DEFECT WITH THIS 2.5L ENGINE AND HAD A CAMPAIGN WHERE THE "FIX" WAS ADDING A CONDITIONER TO THE COOLANT. OBVIOUSLY THE "FIX" DIDN'T DO THE JOB AND OTHERS OUT THERE ARE A RISK OF A CATASTROPHIC FIRE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10326175
Incident
Apr 9, 2010
Mileage
83,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Dec 15, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-55 MPH THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE VEHICLE OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 1/14/10 *CN UPDATED 01/15/10.*JB
NHTSA ID
10295851
Incident
Dec 20, 2008
Mileage
95,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Sep 25, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 55 TO 65 MPH THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVER HEAT. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET CRACKED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALSO FAILED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.
NHTSA ID
10285289
Incident
Aug 1, 2009
Mileage
169,000 mi
EngineOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 21, 2009
200 SUBARU FORESTER BLOWS HEAD GASKET FOR THIRD TIME. FIXED TWICE UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. THIRD TIME, SUBARU REPORTS THEY WILL ASSIST WITH HALF OF PAYMENT BECAUSE RECALL WAS DISCONTINUED IN 2008. "REPAIR" COMPLETED UNDER RECALL, BUT WASN'T REALLY REPAIRED. THIS CONSUMER FEELS THAT I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF THIS. REPAIR NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED AND STAY REPAIR AT MANUFACTURER'S COST. *TR
NHTSA ID
10281331
Incident
Aug 14, 2009
Mileage
125,336 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 17, 2009
IN EARLY 2008 MY SUBARU BEGAN POPPING OUT OF FIFTH GEAR. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT AND UNSAFE AS IT CAUSES AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF SPEED. ON A FREEWAY GRADE FOR EXAMPLE I HAVE ALMOST BEEN RAMMED FROM BEHIND BY VEHICLES FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY EVEN THOUGH I WAS TRAVELING AT THE SPEED LIMIT IN THE RIGHT LANE. UPON INVESTIGATION I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THIS MODEL OF SUBARU AND IS COVERED BY TECHNICAL BULLETIN 17 01/01/2002. MY MECHANIC REMOVED THE REAR OF THE TRANSMISSION AND TIGHTENED THE LOOSE MAINSHAFT NUT AT A COST OF $417. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE BUT A YEAR AND A HALF LATER THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. THE CAR ROUTINELY POPS OUT OF FIFTH GEAR TO THE POINT THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN THAT GEAR ON THE HIGHWAY. I EMAILED SUBARU ABOUT THIS BUT THEY SAY IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURING FLAW WHICH IS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR AND IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD WHICH SHOULD BE MADE RIGHT BY SUBARU. *TR
NHTSA ID
10277157
Incident
Jul 10, 2009
Mileage
92,923 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
SubaruNet Announcement
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This annocement is to inform dealers to the Gen 3.1 Head Unit OTA will be available via Wi-Fi. The update will take place in multiple batches with the first beginneing November 15th and the last being Decemeber 3rd. This update is for approximatelt 714,000 VINs.
15-130-08R
This bulletin details an important regulation issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which impacts the way some vehicles with accessories are sold. This regulation applies to any automobile retailer installing accessories on a vehicle prior to its first sale.
01-167-08R
This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
15-298-22R
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Service Information Bulletin announces the preferred practices to be used when handling vehicles equipped with Gen2 Telematics which are enrolled in the Subaru STARLINK® Security Plus Service featuring Stolen Vehicle Recovery Plus with Immobilizer.
01-167-08R
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE
This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
15-320-24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.