Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1999 Subaru Forester. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗SUBARU/COLD WEATHER/ABS MASTER CYLINDER
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (131)
131 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 131 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 32 | 24.4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 25 | 19.1% |
| Suspension | 25 | 19.1% |
| Service brakes | 19 | 14.5% |
| Tires | 7 | 5.3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 4.6% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 3.8% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 3.1% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 3.1% |
| Wheels | 4 | 3.1% |
How 1999 compares with other Forester years
Best and worst Forester years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 101 | 1 |
| 1999 | 131 | 1 |
| 2000 | 75 | 0 |
| 2001 | 139 | 0 |
| 2002 | 88 | 1 |
| 2003 | 189 | 3 |
| 2004 | 219 | 2 |
| 2005 | 93 | 1 |
| 2006 | 88 | 2 |
| 2007 | 74 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1999 Forester for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1999 Subaru Forester FAQ
How many recalls does the 1999 Subaru Forester have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 99V040000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1999 Subaru Forester problems?
Owners filed 131 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (32), Engine and engine cooling (25), Suspension (25) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1999 Subaru Forester get?
EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 19 city, 25 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1999 Forester compare with other years?
Among the 1998–2007 Subaru Forester model years at least five years old, the 2007 drew the fewest complaints (74) and the 2004 the most (219). The 1999 drew 131. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.