2001 Subaru Forester recalls and problems
No recalls and 139 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Subaru Forester.
Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2001 Subaru Forester recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Most reported problems
Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
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. ON TWO PRIOR OCCASIONS I HAD TAKEN THIS…
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 TIGHTENS AND THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY…
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 TEMPERATURE DROPS, IT HAPPENS AGAIN. IT…
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 ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH ALUMINUM RIMS…
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 LOOKED AS IF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ON WHEN…
Forester model years compared
Across all years, the 2019 Forester has the most complaints (834). All Subaru Forester years →
Questions
- Does the 2001 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Subaru Forester as of October 27, 2026.
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Subaru Forester?
- Owners have filed 139 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is vehicle speed control (29 complaints), followed by power train (23).
- How many 2001 Subaru Forester complaints mention a crash or fire?
- 31 of 139 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 24 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received March 12, 2016.