2000 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 75 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 22nd highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2000 reports, 7 involved a crash. 3 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
75 reports, newest first.
Power train, Jul 27, 2005
THE PROBLEM ORIGINALLY STARTED AS A DELAY WHEN SHIFTING THE CAR INTO DRIVE. THIS WAS ABOUT A 1 SECOND DELAY, AFTER WHICH THE CAR WOULD ENGAGE INTO DRIVE, AND THEN RUN AND SHIFT FINE. BUT THEN, THE DELAY GOT WORSE. ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT WAS 2 SECONDS, THEN THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER GO INTO DRIVE AT ALL. AFTER EVALUATION, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE 5 OF THE 7 SOLENOIDS REPLACED IN THE SUBARU. THIS WAS ON A TRANSMISSION THAT WAS 5 YEARS OLD, WITH ONLY 80000 MILES ON IT. I CONTACTED SUBARU ABOUT THE INCIDENT, AND THEY SAID THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THAT ME THINKING THAT 80K ON A TRANSMISSION BEFORE REPLACEMENT WAS ODD, IT WAS JUST MY OPINION. I INFORMED THE LADY ON THE PHONE THAT I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE COMPLAINTS, THEY WERE ALL OVER THE PLACE ONLINE. SAME THING, OVER AND OVER, ONE PERSON HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AROUND 70K! I GOT NO RESPONSE FROM SUBARU ABOUT THE ISSUE, I WAS TREATED RUDELY, AND THEY BASICALLY HUNG UP ON ME. I DID INFORM THE ATTENDANT THAT FOR MY RECORDS I WAS RECORDING THE PHONE CALL, AND SHE THREATENED ME, SAYING THAT TO DO SO WAS ILLEGAL. I LOOKED UP THE LAW IN NEW JERSEY ABOUT RECORDING PHONE CALLS, AND AS LONG AS ONE PARTY CONSENTS TO THE CALL (ME BEING THE PARTY), THE PHONE CALL COULD BE RECORDED. HERE'S THE STATUTE: "IN ADDITION, AN INTERCEPTION IS LEGAL IF THE INTERCEPTOR IS A PARTY TO THE COMMUNICATION, OR ONE OF THE PARTIES HAS GIVEN PRIOR CONSENT, SO LONG AS NO CRIMINAL OR TORTIOUS INTENT IS PRESENT." I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL SOLENOIDS FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I ALSO HAVE A WRITTEN REPORT ON THE FINDINGS BY THE MECHANIC ON WHAT THEY FOUND. THE REPAIR COST AROUND $2200. HOPEFULLY, SOMEONE OTHER THAN SUBARU WILL LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM.
Power train, Apr 19, 2005
VEHICLE POPS OUT OF FIFTH GEAR, INTO NEUTRAL, ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 12 TIMES OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS.*AK
Power train, Mar 27, 2005
REPEAT PREMATURE FAILURE OF REAR AXLE BEARING. REAR AXLE BEARING ON BOTH SIDES BECAME NOISY WHEN CAR WAS 35K MI (12-09-02) DEALER REPLACED BOTH UNDER WARRANTY WITH SAME OEM SUBARU 28016FC001. REAR AXLE ON LEFT BECAME VERY NOISY AGAIN AROUND 57K MI, ESPECIALLY ON FREEWAY AND HIGH SPEED. TOOK IT TO DEALER AGAIN (06-22-04). THIS TIME, DEALER (SCHUMAN CARRIAGE MOTORS INC., DBA SUBARU OF HAWAII, ALSO DBA AS WAIALAE SUBARU) DISMISSED NOISE AS FROM TIRES, REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY, AND CHARGED US AN UNDISCLOSED $96 "DIAGNOSTIC FEE". UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE AT DEALERSHIP CAUSED GREAT EMOTIONAL TRAUMA TO MY WIFE. SHE SUBSEQUENTLY WAS DIAGNOSED BY MEDICAL DOCTOR OF SHINGLE LIKELY INDUCED BY STRESS AND LEAVING HER UNABLE TO WEAR EYE CONTACT LENSES EVEN TO THIS DAY. OTHER CAR GARAGES LATER CONFIRMED THE LEFT REAR AXLE BEARING IS THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE. FOUND A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED IT WITH A SUBARU 28015AA0050 ROLLER BEARING (03-26-05) MECHANIC TOOK IT THE DEFECTIVE BEARING APART. SIGNS OF IRREGULAR WEAR ON THE BEARING CASING IS VISIBLE.
Power train, Feb 11, 2005
WHEN ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE IT MOVED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Equipment, Jan 16, 2005
FAILURE OF OXYGEN SENSOR THAT WAS REPLACED DUE TO RECALL CAUSED GASOLINE TO BE DUMPED INTO CATALYTIC CONVERTER. OUR MECHANIC SAID THAT THE CONVERTER BECAME RED HOT AND IT WAS AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. PARTS WERE REPLACED AND ARE NOT NOW AVAILABLE. *NM
Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2004
1.) MY 2000 SUBARU FORESTER STARTED TO VIBRATE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY MOTHER TOOK THE CAR TO SUBARU DEALER (DULLES MOTORCARS IN LEESBURG, VIRGINIA) THREE TIMES AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AT ALL. 2.)ON MAY 21, 2004, WHILE MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING IT, THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS NOT ON HIGHWAY; OTHERWISE, IT COULD BE FATAL. 3.)MY MOTHER CALLED POLICE AND DULLES MOTORCARS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DULLES MOTORCARS AND MY MOTHER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY SUBARU MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. DULLES MOTORCARS INC LEESBURG, VA 71326 SALES/SERVICE/REPAIR 05/21/04 SALES/SERVICE/REPAIR ROC NUMBER 0000000019
Suspension, Nov 19, 2004
REAR LEFT WHEEL BEARING FAILURES. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAS FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES IN 60,000 MILES. NUMEROUS CONTACTS WITH SUBARU HAVE FAILED TO RESOLVE OR FIX THIS ONGOING PROBLEM.*AK
Power train, Oct 27, 2004
MY 2000 SUBARU FORESTER HAS PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE AT 70,000 MILES. *AK
Power train, Jul 30, 2004
ON A COLD START, GENERALLY THE VEHICLE WILL GO FORWARD WHEN SHIFTING IT INTO DRIVE, BUT AFTER IT IS WARMED UP IF YOU STOP THE ENGINE AND THEN TRY TO GO AGAIN, IT WON'T ENGAGE IN DRIVE BUT IT WILL GO IN REVERSE. I SEE ON SUBARU'S SERVICE BULLETINS, ON THE WEB, SHOW THERE ARE PAGES UPON PAGES OF THE SAME HAPPENINGS. IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE INTERIOR SEALS OF THE TRANSMISSION ARE ALLOWING FLUID TO LEAK BY DECREASING FLUID PRESSURE IN THE TRANSMISSION PREVENTING IT FROM OPERATING PROPERLY, SOMETIMES LEAVING US STRANDED. THE VEHICLE IS A SUBARU FORESTER 2000, OTHER VEHICLES WERE SAME MODELS AND WERE ALSO INCLUDED 1999 MODELS. MY QUESTION IS SHOULD THIS BE HAPPENING IN CARS JUST FOUR YEARS OLD?*AK
Suspension, Jul 29, 2004
I BOUGHT MY SUBARU FORESTER 2000 NEW. UNDER WARRANTY I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY WHEEL BEARINGS THREE TIMES. A FORTH TIME AFTER WARRENTY AND NOW FOR A FIFTH TIME.. FOUR OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN ON THE SAME WHEEL; THE BACK RIGHT. YOUAR COMPONENT SELECTION DOES NOT HAVE SUSPENSION REAR; WHEEL BEARINGS SO I PUT IN SUSPENSION FRONT; WHEEL BEARINGS. SUGGEST YOU ADD THIS COMPONENT.*AK
Suspension, Jun 23, 2004
RUMBLING UNDER CAR WAS INDICATION THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED. 1ST INCIDENT THANKSGIVING WEEKEND 2003. FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARINGS FALIED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET CAR IN IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE I WAS TRAVELING AND NOBODY WAS OPEN. I FINALLY GOT CAR TO HUNTER IN NC FOR REPAIR. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. PARTS PERSON TOLD ME THEY NEVER REPLACE FORESTER BEARINGS WITH ORIGINAL PARTS. THEY USE OUTBACK OR SOME OTHER MODEL INSTEAD. THEY DID NOT REPLACE AXLE BUT I THINK IT MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DO NORMAL FIX. SOME COMPONENTS HAD FROZE AND THEY HAD TO GO IN BACKWARDS TO FIX. I THINK THE BEARINGS ARE VERY HEAVY DUTY AND WILL DRIVE FOR A LONG TIME DAMAGED AND SO CRASH IS UNLIKELY. I DROVE 800 MILES WITH RUMBLING. 2ND INCIDENT JUN 21 2004 - BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AND REAR RIGHT AXLE WAS FROZE AND ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS TIME I BROUGHT CAR IN TO SUBARU OF BEECHMONT VERY NEAR TO START OF RUMBLING. SUBARU OF AMERICA IS TRYING TO SAY THAT MY VEHICLE SHOWS SIGNS OF HEAVY TRAILERING AS EXCUSE TO NOT REIMBURSE ME. I USE MY HITCH SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR AND MY REAR BRAKES ARE BEING REPLACED AT 82,000 MILES WHICH WOULD NOT BE TRUE IF I TRAILERED AS THEY CLAIM. THEY SAID THAT MY HITCH BALL SHOWED HEAVY WEAR AND IT HAS PROBABLY ONLY BEEN USED LESS THAN 2 DOZEN TIMES IN IT'S ENTIRE LIFE. IT LOOKS NEW. THEY ARE TRYING TO DIVERT ATTENTION AND I AM WONDERING HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE THEY ARE DOING THIS WITH. WHEN I TALK PRIVATELY WITH DEALERSHIP PERSONELL THEY AGREE THAT FORESTERS AROUND 2000 HAVE REAL ISSUES WITH WHEEL BEARINGS. PERSONELL AGREE THAT BEARINGS AND AXLES SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR 3 BEARINGS TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. I THINK IT IS AN UNDER-REPORTED DESIGN FLAW. ACCIDENTS DON'T HAPPEN BECAUSE THEY ARE SO HEAVY DUTY THAT THEY GRIND DOWN LONG ENOUGH THAT PEOPLE USUALLY GET THEM IN FOR REPAIR BEFORE THE WHEEL FALLS OFF. THERE IS POTENTIAL HERE FOR DISASTER. *AK
Tires, May 2, 2004
IN LATE MARCH OF 2004 I PURCHASED 4 BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/L TIRES FOR MY 2000 SUBARU FORESTER. DURING THE FOLLOWING WEEK THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE DEVELOPED A LARGE BULDGE IN THE SIDE OF THE TIRE AND PULLED AWAY FROM THE RIM OF THE TIRE, LOSING ALL AIR IMEDIATELY. A FEW WEEKS LATER, ON MAY 1, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BEGAN TO BUDGE. *AK
Suspension, Sep 21, 2003
2000 SUBARU FORESTER S REAR WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AT 19K UNDER WARRANTY THEN, AT 67K, 70K, 80K AND IT NEEDS REPLACEMENT NOW AGAIN!*JB
Seats, Sep 4, 2003
THE CONSUMER STATED, THE DRIVERS SEAT FRAME WORE OUT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE CUSHION ASSEMBLY WAS LOOSE BUT THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE CONSUMER REACHED FOR SOMETHING UNDER THE SEAT THAT HE NOTICED THE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS MOUNTED TO STILL HAD DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND MOVED 5 TO 6 TIMES MORE THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WOULD COST UP TO ONE HUNDRED FOR REPAIRS. *JB *SCC
Suspension, Aug 13, 2003
DEALER HAD TO REPLACE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS THREE TIMES. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED AT THIS TIME. *AK
Power train, Jul 9, 2003
CLUTCH SHUTTER, THROUGH ALL FOUR GEARS ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VEHICILE IS COLD. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE I BROUGHT IT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING STANDARD TRANSMISIONS FOR 40 YEARS AND NEVER HAVE I EXPEREINCED THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE SUBRAU HAS A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH AND FOR SOME REASON REFUSES TO CORRECT THE SITUATION .*AK
Suspension, Jun 11, 2003
RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING NEEDS REPLACING AT 51,000. THESE SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER AS THEY DO IN MY OTHER VEHICLES.*AK
Suspension, May 7, 2003
COMPLAINED TO SERVICING DEALER ABOUT EXCESSIVE NOISE. REPORT WAS AT 49,622 MILES, BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE FAILED. THIS COMPONENT IS NOT NORMALLY INSPECTED OR REPLACED IN THE ORDINARY SCHEDULE OF MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED CARE. MY WEB RESEARCH SHOWS QUITE A FEW REPORTS OF THIS SAME FAILURE, INDICATING INADEQUATE DESIGN OR FAULTY COMPONENTS. AVERAGE MILES TO FAILURE SEEM TO BE AROUND 50,000. INCREASINGLY, THESE CASES WILL BE SHOWING UP GIVEN THE AGE AND TYPICAL MILEAGE OF THESE CARS. ANYONE WHO IGNORES THE SOUND LEVEL INCREASE IS LIABLE TO EXPERIENCE A COMPLETE FAILURE ON THE ROAD WITH DEFINITE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE COMPILING STATISTICS ON THIS DEFECT, EXCEPT PERHAPS SUBARU. THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT SUBARU AMERICA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM'S FREQUENCY (A TSB ON IMPROVED REPLACEMENT METHOD), BUT THEY HAVE NOT REGULARLY AGREED TO COVER REPAIR COSTS OR ALERTED OWNERS OF THE PROBLEM'S EXISTENCE. IN MY CASE, REPAIR IS SCHEDULED SIX DAYS FROM NOW. MY COMPLAINT CALL TO SUBARU AMERICA RESULTED IN A PROMISE TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER AND CALL ME BACK WITH A RESPONSE ON WHAT ACTION THE COMPANY WOULD TAKE. IT IS NOW 2+ DAYS AWAITING RESPONSE. FORESTER (AND PERHAPS IMPRESA) OWNERS SHOULD BE ALERTED TO WHAT IS A VERY STEALTHY FLAW. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE SUPPLYING GOOD INFORMATION AND ADVICE, AS WELL AS SUPPORTING THEIR PRODUCT. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 4, 2003
THE OXYGEN SENOR FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE SENOR WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. *JB
Power train, Mar 18, 2003
THE VEHICLE'S POWER TRAIN ASSEMBLY FAILED AND CAUSED THE CLUTCH TO MAKE A CHATTERING NOISE. *NLM
Suspension, Mar 11, 2003
HAD TO HAVE WHEEL BEARINGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR REPLACED AT ONLY 44,000 MILES ON MY 2000 SUBARU FORESTER. UPON RESEARCH HAVE FOUND WHEEL BEARINGS TO BE A DEFECTIVE COMPLAINT AMONG SUBARU FORESTER AND IMPREZA OWNERS. SOME OWNERS CLAIMING THAT WHEEL BEARINGS MUST BE REPLACED EVERY 30,000 MILES.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Feb 10, 2003
CHATTERING CLUTCH ON 2000 SUBARU FORESTER. THIS CONSTANTLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS COLD AND CONTINUES ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE FOUR FORWARD GEARS. I HAVE DRIVEN MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS FOR OVER 35 YEARS AND I KNOW IT IS NOT MY DRIVING/SHIFTING SKILLS. A CHECK OF A MESSAGE BOARD SHOWS THAT OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM OUTSIDE OF DRIVER ERROR. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND/OR DESIGN DEFECT. MY CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND I HAVE LEARNED TO LIVE WITH THIS. BUT IF THIS IS AN ACTUAL DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER, I WANT IT KNOWN THAT I HAVE THE PROBLEM. THERE IS ALSO THE ISSUE OF BAD O2 SENSORS ON THIS CAR. MINE WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES BEFORE A RECALL WAS DONE. THAT WAS 32,000 MILES AGO AND NOW THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON ONLY AFTER A 60,000 MILE SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP IS ASKING ME TO DO MORE REPAIRS AS A PROCESS OF ELIMINATION TO ZERO IN ON THE CAUSE OF THE LIGHT SHOWING. I FEEL THEY DID SOMETHING DURING THE MAINTENANCE SERVICE AND WANT ME TO PAY FOR THEIR ERRORS. IF IT IS ANOTHER O2 SENSOR THAT HAS GONE BAD, DOESN'T THE STATE OF CA HAVE A 50,000 WARRANTY ON ALL EMISSION COMPONENTS? WOULD IT BE COVERED?
Suspension, Nov 26, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING, CONSUMER NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND EMITTING FROM THE REAR WHEEL. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY DEALER TECHNICIAN WHO NOTICE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THEY CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE HUB ASSEMBLY. TS *JG
Suspension, Aug 7, 2002
BOTH REAR TIRES ARE WEARING ONLY ON OUTER EDGE. DEALER HAS DONE ALIGNMENT, BUT IT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM.*AK
Power train, Jul 16, 2002
BEGAN NOTICING AND COMPLAINING OF CLUTCH CHATTER AT 20,000 MILES. MENTIONED AT EVERY SERVICE VISIT AND TOLD BY DEALER THAT IT WAS NORMAL OR THAT THEY ADJUSTED THE CLUTCH. CAR WOULD BE FINE FOR A MONTH AND THEN CHATTER WOULD RETURN. PARTICULARLY OCCURS WHEN COLD AND TRYING TO ENGAGE IN FIRST GEAR. TOLD AT 44,000 MILES THAT THE CLUTCH WAS WORN AND NEEDED REPLACING. WHEN I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE CHATTER THEY NEVER RESOLVED, THEY KEPT SAYING THAT WAS NORMAL AND THE EARLY WEAR MUST BE DUE TO MY DRIVING. REPLACED THE CLUTCH AND ONCE AGAIN, A FEW MONTHS LATER CHATTER RETURNED. ANOTHER DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE FLYWHEEL AS WELL SINCE 99% OF CLUTCH CHATTER IS CAUSED BY THE FLYWHEEL SURFACE. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER WHO AGAIN SAID THE CHATTER WAS NORMAL AND WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE CAR STILL JERKS WHEN I SHIFT INTO FIRST WHEN IT IS COLD, MAKING IT VERY UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER TO DRIVE. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****764329