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
142 reports, newest first.
Power train, Nov 30, 2003
UPON PICKING UP MY SUBARU FORESTER IN 2001, I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THAT THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVING CORRECTLY. WAS TOLD CAR WAS FINE. BROKE DOWN 1 DAY LATER. ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH CLUTCH. GOING FROM NEUTRAL TO FIRST CAR SHUDDERS. TOLD CAR IS FUNCTIOING AS DESIGNED. ON 11/4/03 BROUGHT CAR INTO NETWORK MAZDA SUBARU WITH COMPLAINT ABOUT CLUTCH TOLD IT WAS FINE AND FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED.. BROKE DOWN ON 11/9/03, CLUTCH PLATE BROKEN. NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A THING IN THE 30 YEARS I'VE BEEN DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. PURCHASED CAR AT NEIL SUBARU, WENT TO GREGORIS SUBARU, NO SATISFACTION, WENT TO DEALERSHIP STATED ABOVE. SERVICE MANAGER RUDE AND TALKED DOWN TO ME, I FELT BECAUSE I WAS A WOMAN. MANUAL TRANS. NOT WORKING PROPERLY SINCE THE DAY I PICKED IT UP AND NO ONE WILL LISTEN. GREGORIS REPLACED CLUTCH AND SAID SOMETHING WAS BROKEN. NO SATISFACTION FROM SUBARU OR THE 3 DEALERS I HAVE WORKED WITH SO FAR. NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE.*AK
Power train, Nov 30, 2003
I OWN A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER L. MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND IT NOW HAS 41000 MILES. IT HAS EXPERIENCED REPEATED FAILURES OF THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, AT (RIGHT REAR) 16000, (LEFT REAR) 25000. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS SYMPTOMS OF A THIRD FAILURE AT 41000 MI. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY A DEALER FOR EACH COMPLAINT. I HAVE ESTIMATED DATE OF FIRST FAILURE AS I DO NOT EXACTLY REMEMBER..*AK
Suspension, Nov 6, 2003
A NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING MUST BE REPLACED. *AK
Power train, Sep 25, 2003
SEVERE CLUTCH SHUDDER ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. DEALER WON'T FIX. SAYS IT'S A GAS PROBLEM. IT'S NOT
Power train, Sep 21, 2003
WHEN DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED FOR 10+ MINUTES, THE CAR SPEED BEGINS TO DRAG AND SURGE (SUDDENLY SLOWS, THEN RESUMES SET SPEED). THE CAR SEEMS TO BE ACTIVELY PULLING BACK AGAINST THE THROTTLE IF I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE PAST THE CRUISE SETTING, THE DRAGGING BACK AGAINST THE THROTTLE STILL OCCURS. IF THE CRUISE IS LEFT ENGAGED, THE LURCHING WORSENS, AND WHEN I EXIT THE FREEWAY THE (AUTOMATIC) TRANSMISSION DOESN'T WANT TO DOWN SHIFT. IT RESISTS UNTIL THERE'S A LOUD NOISE, THE REAR OF THE CAR BUCKS, AND THEN IT GOES INTO THE NEXT LOWEST GEAR. THIS HAPPENS THROUGH EVERY GEAR, AND THEN AGAIN UPSHIFTING FROM A STOP: THE RPMS WIND UP HIGHER THAN NORMAL, THE CAR RESISTS SHIFTING, AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE PROBLEM REMAINS UNTIL I STOP AND TAKE THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE, WHICH APPARENTLY RESETS IT. THE PROBLEM IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR IN WEATHER UNDER 70 DEGREES. THE DEALER HAS REPROGRAMMED AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE PER RECALL #WWF89, AND HAS ALSO REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE IGNITION RELAY, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT'S WINDING UP TO SHIFT INTO FOURTH GEAR AT 60 MILES AN HOUR, AND IT VIOLENTLY BUCKS INTO GEAR. ALSO, THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE AND MORE UNPREDICTABLE. MOST RECENTLY, I WAS TESTING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR IN RAINY WEATHER. WHEN IT BEGAN SURGING, I IMMEDIATELY DISENGAGED IT, BUT THE DRAG-BACK ON THE THROTTLE CONTINUED ANYWAY (THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT IN WHICH THE LURCHING CONTINUED AFTER I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL). I AM CONCERNED THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO OCCUR WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED AT ALL, AND ALSO THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO SEIZE UP WITHOUT WARNING. (NOTE: THE "INCIDENT DATE" ON THIS FORM IS THE DATE THE FIRST REPAIR WAS ATTEMPTED, BUT THE PROBLEM ACTUALLY STARTED HAPPENING IN APRIL, 2003. THE "NUMBER OF FAILURES" IS AN ESTIMATE -- IT HAPPENS AS OFTEN AS I TEST IT.)*JB
Power train, Sep 9, 2003
AFTER BEING TOLD THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR SUBARU CLUTCHES TO HAVE CLUTCH JUDDER, AND NOW OUT OF MY 60,000 WARRANTY, I FIND THAT SUBARU HAS ISSUED A TSB TO FIX THE CLUTCH JUDDER PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE AND I SHOULD GET A WARRANTIED REPAIR OF MY CLUTCH AS SHOULD OTHER SUBARU OWNERS WITH THIS MAUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 23, 2003
2001 SUBARU FORESTER REPEATEDLY DECELERATES AND/OR SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATES AT ALL SPEEDS, TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, WEATHER CONDITIONS. POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHE. ALREADY SOME NEAR MISSES.*AK
Equipment, Jul 30, 2003
AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILED ON 06/01/03. DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER TO REPLACE IT WITH A BRAND NEW COMPRESSOR. REPLACEMENT COMPRESSOR FAILED ON 07/01/03. DEALER REPLACED COMPRESSOR AND "RECEPTACLE". ON 07/26/03 WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER TURNED ON AIR CONDITIONING AND VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING CHECKED BY DEALER. 2001, SUZUKI XL7 UNLIMITED.*AK
Suspension, Jun 22, 2003
I HAVE A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER. IN THE FALL OF 2002, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER (LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON THE CAR). IN FEBRUARY 2003, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. IN JUNE 2003, THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED/REPAIRED AGAIN BY THE DEALER. THERE IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THESE VEHICLES BECAUSE THE REPAIRS ARE NOT EVEN LASTING SIX MONTHS. DEALERS SERVICE DEPT. HAS BEEN COURTEOUS AND ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COVERED AT NO CHARGE. *NLM
Vehicle speed control, Jun 20, 2003, crash
THE BRAKE/GAS PEDALS ARE LOCATED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THIS RESULTS IN ACCIDENTAL ACCELERATION WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED.*AK
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
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 17, 2003
AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES MY 2001 FORESTER STALLED 3 TIMES IN MY DRIVEWAY AND SHOOK A BIT. I HAD THE IDIOT-NEW-OWNER-PACKAGE WITH THE DEALER WHERE THEY DID ALL THE MAINTENANCE, ETC. AND WAS SCHEDULED FOR AN OIL CHANGE/WHATEVER MAINTENANCE ANYWAY SO I ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN TO ME UNTIL SEVERAL MONTHS LATER. NOW AT 38,000 MILES (3000 MILES AFTER WARRANTY AND AFTER THE END OF THE IDIOT-PACKAGE) IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME IT STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BOTH IN PARKING LOTS AND AT STOP LIGHTS. IT SHOOK AT AN IDLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. A LOCAL SHOP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED COIL PACK. HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE APPARENT CAUSE WAS THAT IT APPEARED NO MAINTENANCE HAD EVER BEEN DONE. THE SPARK PLUG CHANGE AND A 30K MILE TUNE UP THAT WERE ON MY SERVICE TICKETS AS HAVING BEEN PERFORMED WERE PROBABLY NOT ACTUALLY DONE. THERE WAS NO WAY TO PROVE THAT WITHOUT TOWING THE CAR TO SUBARU AT MY EXPENSE AND THEN PROBABLY HAVING THEM STILL CLAIM THE SERVICE HAD BEEN DONE. I DRIVE VERY CONSERVATIVELY, DON'T SPEED, DON'T TAKE OFF QUICKLY AND LIVE IN A MODERATE TEMPERATURE/WEATHER AREA (NORTHERN VA). THERE IS NO REASON THAT WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. SUBARU OF AMERICA SAYS IT IS A DEALER PROBLEM. THE DEALER CLAIMS NO WRONG DOING. I CAN DISPUTE THE POINT AND HAVE IT TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR VERIFICATION OF THE LACK OF PROPER MAINTENANCE, WHICH WE ALL KNOW WILL NOT BE THEIR FINDING OR PAY THE $530 REPAIR STRAIGHTAWAY. I CHOSE THE LATTER. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO NOW TO GET SUBARU TO REFUND THE COST OF REPAIR? *NLM
Suspension, Mar 13, 2003
THE REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT AGREE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 10, 2003
THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.*DT *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
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 18, 2003
BLOWN HEAD GASKET CAUSING LEAK OF COOLANT AT 75,000 MILES ON A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 8, 2003
EXHAUST FUMES SOME CO POISONING SYMPTOMS 2001 SUBARU FORESTER POSTED BY DAVE ON FEBRUARY 08, 03 AT 06:52:29: I FUELED MY FORESTER WITH 91 OCTANE PREMIUM FUEL AND TOOK OFF ON A 5 HR DRIVE TO DENVER. THERE WERE EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS 40 MPH WINDS AND GROUND BLIZZARDS. SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 75 MPH AND IT WAS ALL THE CAR COULD DO TO MAINTAIN 70 MPH IN HIGH GEAR AND ON SOME HILLS IT WOULD DOWNSHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR TO SATISFY THE COMPUTER SETTING OF 75. AFTER 2+ HOURS OF DRIVING I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES. I DEVELOPED A HEADACHE. I OPENED THE BRRRRR WINDOWS AND WROTE A NOTE TO THE EFFECT THAT IF I SUCCOMED TO CO FUMES AND DIED FOR MY SURVIVORS TO SUE SUBARU. IN THE STATE CAPITOL, I STOPPED AT THE D.O.T. AND WENT INTO THE TESTING LAB AND BORROWED A CO TESTER THEN WENT BACK ONTO THE INTERSTATE (THE CAR WAS IDLING WHILE IN THE LAB). I WAS WOOZIE AND DISORIENTED CLASSIC CO SYMPTOMS. SCARIE! ANYHOW BACK ONTO THE ROAD FOR A 15 MIN ATTEMPT TO REPRODUCE THE SCENARIO. THE FUMES WERE GONE THE CO DETECTOR STAYED AT ZERO/PPM, I SUPPOSE THE CONVERTOR HAD COOLED OFF. ON THE RETURN TRIP THE WIND HAD DIED AND THE ENGINE DID NOT HAFTO WORK QUITE AS HARD THERE WERE STILL SOME TIMES OF SLIGHT SMELL OF THE FUMES BUT NOT AS INTENSE AS ON THE INITIAL 2 HOUR EXPERIENCE. I ALSO REFUELED AT THE 2 HR MARK WITH 87 OCTANE FUEL. I BELIEVE THAT THE PURCHASE OF A SMALL CO DETECTOR MAY BE A GOOD IDEA FOR SAFETY. AND I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS AS A POSSIBLE SERIOUS HAZARD BUT HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO GO ABOUT INITIATING SUCH A THING. THIS POST IS TO FURTHER THAT CAUSE. CC: SUBARU MFG.COM
Power train, Feb 3, 2003
THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED, THERE WAS A SEVERE VIBRATION WHICH ALMOST CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A LOT OF SNOW WAS PACKED IN THE WHEELS.*JB
Structure, Jan 28, 2003
DEALER INSTALLED ON THE HOOD AN ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD DEFLECTOR, SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH THE WINDSHIELD REFLECTOR COLLAPSED AND DEALER TOLD CONSUMER GUARANTEE IS OVER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 28, 2003, crash
SUBARU FORESTER 2001 - WAS BACKING UP AND ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK - FLYING BACK IN REVERSE ABOUT 50 FEET - HITTING TREE AND COMING FORWARD ABOUT 20 FT.
Wheels, Jan 6, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER A SNOW STORM THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE WILL BECOME IMPACTED WITH SNOW CAUSING VERY SEVERE VIBRATIONS THAT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL. *JG *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 27, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE STARTED MAKING NOISES FROM THE BRAKES. DEALER AND SUBURU MANUFACTORY WERE NOTIFIED. *MR
Wheels, Sep 26, 2002
SCREECHING SHOUND COMING FROM WHEELS. MR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 31, 2002
VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION, HIGHWAY, STREET. *AK
Air bags, Aug 14, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS INJURED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK