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2000 Subaru Forester recalls & complaints

79 owner complaints on file. Recall list must be checked by VIN (see below).
0recalls
0high risk
0stop-driving
79complaints

Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.

Recalls: check by VIN

NHTSA files recalls for the Subaru Forester under individual trim or body names rather than "Forester", so we can't match them automatically. Enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the definitive list. The owner complaints below are matched correctly.

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Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

79complaints
7crashes
0fires
3injuries
0deaths

Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (21), Suspension (20), Engine (15), Wheels / tires (8), Fuel system (6).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.

Read recent complaints (8)

10/28/2022 · Suspension
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…

02/28/2011 · Engine
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 DE…

09/26/2010 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
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…

04/17/2010 · Engine
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"…

12/15/2009 · Transmission / drivetrain
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/…

09/25/2009 · Engine
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.

08/21/2009 · 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 COM…

07/17/2009 · Transmission / drivetrain
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 D…

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