1999 Subaru Forester
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 35 of 131 complaints (27%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Brakes include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 101 in 1998 to 131 in 1999.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | vs. 1999 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,100 | 2,950–3,100 | 2,950 | 2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–21 | 20–21 | 21 | 21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–19 / 24–25 | 18–19 / 24–25 | 19 / 25 | 19 / 25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–444 | 423–444 | 423 | 423 | |
| Complaints filed | 101 | 131 | 75 | 139 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 7 | 5 | 7 | 31 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 5 | 3 | 24 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1999 Subaru Forester have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1999 Subaru Forester?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 35 of 131 NHTSA complaints (27%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Subaru Forester get?
EPA rates it 20–21 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 Subaru Forester?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 18 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 19 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 19 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · Campaign 99V040000 · Mar 17, 1999
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). (THE 1999 2.2 LITER LEGACY VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED). IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.