The 1999 Subaru Forester has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 221,987 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 156 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Why is the brake line corrosion recall wqk-47 only for 2009-2013 foresters? I own a 1999 forester which has just had a catastrophic brake line failure that is exactly the same as what is described in the recall. Corrosion of the brake lines is in the area of the junction block that is located…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 subaru forester. On several occasions, while driving, the engine overheated and seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…”
“There are days where the vehicle will not engage into drive. It goes in reverse but still not engage the drive gear. After about a week of the vehicle sitting and not being turned on it will engage and work fine. But will do it again a few weeks to a couple of months later.”
“There are days where the vehicle will not engage into drive. It goes in reverse but still not engage the drive gear. After about a week of the vehicle sitting and not being turned on it will engage and work fine. But will do it again a few weeks to a couple of months later.”
“In one months time we have had 4 separate cooper weathermaster s/t2 205/70r15 tires have sidewall failure. These are snow tires used only during winter months. 3 of the 4 tires were purchased for the 2010/11 winter, and had less than 5000 miles on them, the 4th was new with about 100 miles on it…”
“Note: below is an extract from a message I sent to an attorney in wisconsin in 2011 regarding the problems I was having with my vehicle. I have since had the cooling system problem repaired at my own expense. Note also: I see where there has been a recent entry for pending dealer repairs on a…”
“As others have stated here and many more from various subaru forums, I've been dealing with the shifting into drive issue (it acts as if it's in neutral) with the at. It can take several seconds to several minutes (and sometimes longer or not at all) before it engages. I usually have to rev/pump…”
“Check engine light came on. There was corrosion around the gas cap. Shop diagnosed problem as rusted fuel filler neck - replaced at a cost of $330. I had started to notice a fuel smell in my garage, so fumes were leaking out. Mechanic said it was probably a matter of time before gas may have come…”
ODI HAS ONE COMPLAINT ALLEGING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE, LOCATED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND CENTER CONSOLE, BECAME DETACHED WHILE DRIVING.IN ADDITION, THE OWNER INSPECTED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE AND FOUND THAT THE BOLT WAS PARTIALLY BACKED-OUT.THE COMPLAINT VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1999 Subaru Forester as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.