2000 Subaru Forester recalls & problems
The 2000 Subaru Forester has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 75 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is power train (21 complaints).
Recalls0safety recalls
Complaints75filed by owners
Crashes · fires7 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2000 Subaru Forester.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2000 Subaru Forester 4-DR. 4x4
| Overall | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Forester AWD
21mpg combined
| City / highway | 19 / 25 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Forester AWD
21mpg combined
| City / highway | 19 / 25 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Power train Automatic transmission; Clutch assembly | 21 | 74,000 mi |
| Suspension Front › Wheel bearing; Rear | 20 | 67,243 mi |
| Engine and engine cooling Exhaust system › Emission control; Engine › Gasoline | 19 | 115,000 mi |
| Tires Sidewall; Tread/belt | 9 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap; Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 7 | — |
| Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal | 4 | — |
| Equipment Other › Labels; Recreational vehicle/trailer › Lpg systems › Lines and fittings | 4 | — |
| Unknown or other | 3 | — |
| Seats Front assembly › Recliner | 2 | — |
| Air bags Frontal | 1 | — |
| Seat belts Front › Retractor | 1 | — |
| Electrical system | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Oct 15, 2022 · 90,000 milesSuspension
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 passengerâs 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… - Feb 11, 2011 · 85,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
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 - Sep 12, 2010 · 95,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryVehicle speed control
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… - Apr 9, 2010 · 83,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
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 - Dec 20, 2008 · 95,000 milesPower train › Manual transmission
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 - Aug 1, 2009 · 169,000 milesPower train › Automatic transmission
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. - Aug 14, 2009 · 125,336 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine
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 - Jul 10, 2009 · 92,923 milesPower train › Manual transmission
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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.