2001 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 142 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 32 involved a crash. 25 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: hydraulic
13 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 20, 2004
ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER WHEN THE TWO RIGHT TIRES WERE ON ICE ,AND THE TWO LEFT TIRES WERE ON DRY PAVEMENT. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. *AK *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Wheels, Apr 22, 2003
WHEEL LUGS BOLTS: AT 40720 MILES (4/9/03) CAR WAS IN SUBARU DEALER FOR REAR BRAKES. TWO LUG BOLTS FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WERE FOUND TO BE SNAPPED AND FELL OFF IN THE MECHANICS HAND. THAT WAS A WEEK AGO. TODAY AFTER ABOUT 900 MILES TWO LUG BOLTS ON THE SAME WHEEL HAD SNAPPED OFF. DEALER TOWED THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 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 FORESTER SUV. SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME IT HAPPENS TO HIS WIFE FREQUENTLY, AND HE CORRECTS PROBLEM HIMSELF. SEEMED TO BE SUGGESTING I DO THE SAME WHICH SOUNDS UNREASONABLE FOR A CAR UNDER WARRANTY COVERAGE AND ONLY 11,000 MILES. I RECEIVED VERY POOR SERVICE FROM SUBARU. HOW COULD I HAVE KNOWN BASED ON SYMPTOMS AND ADVISE OF DRIVER TO GO AHEAD WITH TOW THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE A SUBARU PROBLEM ,AND WHY DID THEY MAKE ME WAIT FOUR HOURS AND CHASE THEM BY TELEPHONE BEFORE THEY FINALLY PICKED UP CAR?*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 27, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE STARTED MAKING NOISES FROM THE BRAKES. DEALER AND SUBURU MANUFACTORY WERE NOTIFIED. *MR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 21, 2002
THE TRIGGERRING MECHANISM FOR THE ABS SEEMS TOO DELICATE. THE CAR STARTS SKIDDING EVEN IN VERY LIGHT SNOW. THIS HAS CAUSED 3 INCIDENTS OF RUN-OFF-ROAD CRASHES ONTO THE CURB WITH MINIMAL PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE CAR GETS OUT OF CONTROL VERY EASILY IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS WHICH DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF A 4WD VEHICLE WITH ABS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Feb 8, 2002, crash
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TO PARK, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPING A CURB AND HITTING TWO PARKED VEHICLES. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. SUBARU WAS CONTACTED TO INSPECT VEHICLE.*AK *YH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 11, 2001
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING BRAKE PROBLEMS, ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, HOWEVER VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, VEHICLE GLAZED AGAINST ANOTHER CAR CAUSING DAMAGE. *SLC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Oct 26, 2001, crash
VEHICLE WAS ON A SIDE STREET AND WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 20MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE JUMPED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES ALREADY.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Aug 16, 2001
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO 25 MPH. THEN, BRAKES LOCKED UP. PEDAL FELT SOFT.*AK DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT BULB BURNED AND WAS REPLACED. *SLC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Apr 6, 2001, crash
PARKING WITH FOOT ON BRAKES AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OVER CEMENT BLOCK. HAD HIT A FEW BUSHES AND THEN A BUILDING. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC BASED ON REFERRAL FROM DEALERSHIP.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 7, 2001, crash
THERE MAY HAVE OTHER FACTORS TO THE CAR SKIDDING (SNOWY). *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 24, 2001, crash
BRAKES LIGHTLY APPLIED DUE TO SLUSH ON ROADWAY,BRAKES DID NOT WORK VEHICLE CRASHED, DRIVER SUFFERED CONCUSION AS HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPOLY. SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD DRIVER FIRMLY. SUBARU HOME OFFICE NOTIFIED, CHRIS, CUSTOMER SERVICE REP APPEARS NOT VERY CONCERNED AND ALMOST CALLOUS IN RESPONSE TO OUR CONCERNS. INS CO HAS ELECTED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE VEHICLE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Nov 29, 2000
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED FOOT TOUCHING BOTH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME, DEALERSHIP ADJUSTED THE BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT AS STATED IN SERVICE BULLETIN 6-29-00 OPERATION #A543-008, HOWEVER CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS INADEQUATE AND THEY SHOULD BE SEPARATED APART. *MJS