1998 SUBARU FORESTER

1 recalls, 138 complaints - 34 TSBs

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Defect Description

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.

221,987 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Complaint Statistics

138 total complaints 9 crashes 5 fires 9 injuries 1 deaths

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	13
TIRES	8
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD	6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR	5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	5
SUSPENSION:REAR	5
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY	4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	4
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY	4
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE	4

Incident date: Jun 1, 1998

1. WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE CONSISTENTLY NEEDED REPLACEMENT STARTING 4 YEARS AFTER CAR PURCHASED NEW. AT 450.00 TO 500.00 EACH TIME. THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUES AND SUBARU NEEDS TO PAY OF EACH REPLACEMENT. 2. FUEL LINE LEAK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND AGAIN LISTED MANY MANY TIME ON ALL SUBARU FIX WEB SITES... Read more

Incident date: Jun 1, 1998

Incident date: Dec 11, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO ACCELERATE IN ORDER TO REV DOWN. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO THE OXYGEN SENSOR OR THE CATALYTIC... Read more

Incident date: Sep 24, 2015

WHEN AT THE GAS STATIONS I TRY TO PUT GAS INTO MY CAR, IT IS NOT GOING INTO THE TANK PROPERLY, IT KEEPS SHUTTING THE GAS NOZZLE OFF WITHIN SECONDS. VERY HARD TO PUT GAS INTO MY CAR.

Incident date: Aug 1, 2008

INCREASING GRINDING NOISE FROM REAR OF CAR; DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND FAILING RIGHT REAL WHEEL BEARING; REPAIR FOUND FAILED SEAL ON AXLE; ONE CONTROL ARM REPLACED ALONG WITH AXLE AND BEARING. *TR

Incident date: Apr 15, 2008

MY '98 SUBARU FORESTER IS EXPERIENCING REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AGAIN. THESE BEARINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND FAIL OFTEN, FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON THE WEB. *TR

Incident date: Oct 24, 2007

MY 98 FORESTER HAD THE RIGHT REAR BEARING CHANGED 3 TIMES BY NON DEALER CHAIN. STARTED MAKING NOISE AGAIN. WHEN I WENT TO SUBARU, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT'S COMMON. HE HAS BEEN REPLACING THEM WITH LEGACY BEARINGS AND HAS NOT HAD ANY COMPLAINTS. ALSO THE VENT ON TOP OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL BLOWS O... Read more

Incident date: Oct 24, 2007

Incident date: Aug 31, 2007

MY 1998 SUBARA FORESTER WENT INTO A "SUDDEN ACCELERATION". LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS KILLED, BUT THE CAR SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. *TR

Incident date: Jan 20, 2007

1998 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE, PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE IT WAS ON FIRE. *MC THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE KNOCK SENSOR 30 DAYS PRIOR. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *JB

Fire

Incident date: May 15, 2006

VEHICLE LEAKING OIL AT FRONT SEALS AND GETTING ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *NM

Incident date: Jul 5, 2006

1998 SUBARU FORESTER'S TIRE BLEW OUT. *TS WHEN THE TIRE BLEWOUT IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO OFF THE ROADWAY AND STRIKE A CONSTRUCTION CONE, DELINEATOR POST AND SOUTH DITCH. THE VEHICLE LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL, TAILLIGHT AND BUMPER WERE DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *NM

Crash

Incident date: Feb 1, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A FENCE AND HIT SOME BRUSH. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THE HEATER WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN T... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Feb 1, 2006

Crash

Incident date: Aug 17, 2005

THE PLASTIC !! SPEEDOMETER CABLE GEARS (2) FAILED , CAUSING SPEEDOMETER FAILURE , AT OIL TEMP LIGHT TO FLASH , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME , ERRATIC IDLE, CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE, ENGINE STALL . IF THIS IS NOT DANGEROUS I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE IS !! COST ME $1300 TO HAVE IT FIXED AND YES THE PARTS ARE ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 9, 2004

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS FAILED. HEADS WERE SAVED, BUT ENGINE HAD TO HAVE TOP-HALF REBUILT.

Incident date: Oct 1, 2004

(1) NOTICED PERIODIC OVERHEATING ON 1998 FORESTER WITH 2.5L DOHC ENGINE. (2) HEAD GASKET FAILED TEMPERATURE SPIKED AND COOLANT BOILED OVER, LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE STEAM FROM HOOD. (3) DEALER SAID PROBLEM WAS HEAD GASKET AND THE ENGINE WAS REPAIRED FOR $1800, SUBARU OF AMERICA WAS NOTIFIED AND DENIE... Read more

Incident date: Mar 1, 2002

LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AT 65000 MILES AN UNLIKELY OCCURANCE AT THIS AGE . *AK

Incident date: Jul 6, 2004

THE CONSUMER PLACED HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, STARTED THE VEHICLE AND SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE LUNGED INTO GEAR TAKING OFF SOME 40 FEET, STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE DAMAGING BOTH VEHICLES. *JB

Crash

Incident date: Jun 16, 2004

1. ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT -- THE CYLINDER WALLS ARE BEING BORED INTO TO PLACE THE ENGINE BOLTS ON THE SUBARU 2.5L ENGINES. IN THIS CASE THE CYLINDER WALL CRACKED THROUGH THE ENTIRE SECTION WHERE IT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY BORED INTO ON THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FA... Read more

Incident date: Jun 24, 2004

PLEASE NOTE!..... MY 1998 FORESTER L-MODEL WITH ONLY 54400 MILES HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A LEAKY OIL PUMP....THUS CAUSING OIL TO BE DRIPPING FROM THE ENGINE, FRONT AREA, ON TO A PLASTIC SPLASH PAN....WHERE IT LIES UNTIL IT HAS BUILT-UP ENOUGH OF A PUDDLE THAT IT NOW SEEKS TO BE BLOWN REARWARD ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 29, 2004

MY 1998 SUBARU FORESTER HESITATES ON ACCELERATION IN THE LOW RPM RANGE. ONCE OVER ABOUT 3000 RPM, IT RUNS FINE. ACCORDING TO A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN RELEASED BY SUBARU IN JAN 1999, #11-53-98, THIS IS CAUSED BY THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE INCORRECTLY INTERPRETING VIBRATIONS IN THE ENGINE AS SKIP... Read more

Incident date: Mar 29, 2004

Incident date: Nov 23, 2003

BAD HEAD GASKET CAR IS OVERHEATING, SMELL OF ANTI-FREEZE BURNING FROM EXHAUST. *LA

Incident date: Nov 23, 2003

BAD HEAD GASKET CAR IS OVERHEATING, SMELL OF ANTI-FREEZE BURNING FROM EXHAUST. *LA

Incident date: Sep 1, 2001

PROBLEMS WITH WHEEL BEARINGS ON 1998 SUBARU FORESTER. *MR THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE RIGHT SIDE WERE REPLACED TWICE. *SCC *JB

Incident date: Nov 4, 2003

THE REAR WHEEL BEARING SHOWED SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE WEAR EVERY 30000 TO 40000 MILES. THE DEALER/INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED THE PART. *AK *SCC *JB

Incident date: Aug 13, 2003

DEALER HAS HAD TO REPLACE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS THREE TIMES. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED AT THIS TIME.*AK

Incident date: Jun 1, 2003

MY PARENTS RECENTLY GAVE MY DAUGHTER A 1998 SUBARU FORESTER AND SHE IS HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING THE BABY'S CARSEAT TO TIGHTEN DOWN PROPERLY. I EMAILED SUBARU ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SUGGESTED USING A ROLLED TOWEL TO FILL THE VOID AND MAKE IT TIGHTER. SHE HAS TAKEN THE CAR TO SERVERAL DEALERSHIP... Read more

Incident date: Jun 30, 2003

CLUTCH CHATTERS BADLY AND CLUTCH DOES NOT ENGAGE UNTIL THE PEDAL IS ALMOST FULLY DEPRESSED WHEN VEHICLE SITS OVERNIGHT. PROBLEM SEEMS MORE PRONOUNCED IN COLDER WEATHER, BUT OCCURS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS. IN ADDITION TO CAUSING AN UNSAFE DRIVING SITUATION, THE CONDITION MAY CAUSE FIRST AND REVER... Read more

Incident date: Jun 30, 2003

Incident date: Mar 13, 2003

MY SPOUSE HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT WITH OUR 1998 SUBARU FORESTER. THE FRONTAL IMPACT CAUSED BOTH AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WHEN IT DEPLOYED BROKE THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE) DOOR WINDOW AND THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. NO ONE WAS SEATING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I BELIEVE... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Mar 13, 2003

Crash

Incident date: Jun 19, 2002

CONSUMER WAS PARKING ON AN UPGRADE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY PUT VEHICLE IN PARK ATTEMPTED TO EXIT WHEN VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE CROSSING A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND STOPPING IN SOMEONES YARD. CONSUMER FEELS THIS WA... Read more

Incident date: Dec 5, 2002

NO SUMMARY. DT

Incident date: Sep 7, 2002

EVAPORATOR CORE SPRUNG A LEAK, RESULTING IN AIR CONDITIONING FAILING.*AK

Incident date: Apr 1, 2002

FOOT BRAKE WAS RELEASED, CAR SUDDENLY & WITHOUT ANY ACTION ON MY PART ACCELERATED AT A VERY FAST SPEED INTO THE GARAGE---AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TS

Incident date: May 15, 1998

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE NOISE AND ODOR, DEALER ADVISED THAT BEGINNING STAGES OF POWER TRAIN FAILURE WAS OCCURRING. *SLC

Incident date: Mar 23, 2001

CONSUMER STATES THE REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED, AND FOUR MONTHS LATER THE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING THEN FAILED.*JB

Incident date: Oct 19, 2001

WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND IT STAYED ON THE FLOOR, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT A BOLT IN THE TRANSMISSIONS CLUTCH PIVOT BALL THAT BROKE AT THE POINT THAT ENTERS THE TRANSFER CASE.*JB

Incident date: May 14, 1999

DEALER RESEALED OIL PUMP DUE TO AN OIL LEAK, CONSUMER WAS LATER INFORMED THAT ENGINE WAS IN BEGINNING STAGES OF POSSIBLE FAILURE. *YH

Incident date: May 2, 2002

IN LEFT REAR WHEEL THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN BEARINGS. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE BEARINGS THREE TIMES IN PAST FOUR YEARS. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

Incident date: Mar 7, 2002

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER REPLACED CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY.*AK

Incident date: May 15, 1998

LEFT SIDE AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY LEAKED, DEALER REPLACED RIGHT SIDE FRONT AXLE, SWAY BAR LINKS MADE NOISE, DEALER LUBED LINKS, THERE WAS A NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE ALL TIRES, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION WAS GIVEN. *SLC

Incident date: Jul 7, 1999

VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL, DEALER RESURFACED 2 FRONT ROTORS, ALSO 2 REAR DRUMS AND BRAKE SHOES WERE SANDGLAZED. *YH

Incident date: May 14, 1999

DEALER RESEALED OIL PUMP DUE TO AN OIL LEAK, CONSUMER WAS LATER INFORMED THAT ENGINE WAS IN BEGINNING STAGES OF POSSIBLE FAILURE. *YH

Incident date: May 15, 1998

LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE AXLE SHAFTS LEAKED, DEALER REPLACED, REAR SWAY BAR LINKS DISASSEMBLED AND DEALER LUBED LINKS. *SLC

Incident date: Nov 2, 1999

DEALER HAD TO DISASSEMBLE AND RESURFACE 2 FRONT ROTORS TO ELIMINATE EXCESSIVE RUNOUT. *SLC

Incident date: Oct 3, 2001

DEALER RESEALED FRONT OF ENGINE, OIL PUMP ASSEMBLY LEAKED. *SLC

Incident date: May 15, 1998

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE NOISE AND ODOR, DEALER ADVISED THAT BEGINNING STAGES OF POWER TRAIN FAILURE WAS OCCURRING. *SLC

Showing 50 of 138 complaints.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1998 SUBARU FORESTER

34 manufacturer communications from 27 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
350000 EQUIPMENT	10
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	2
102000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION	2
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1
061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	1
103110 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE	1
105000 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE	1

350000 EQUIPMENT

This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles imported from Japan. This bulletin does not apply to SIA built vehicles.

350000 EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

350000 EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models

350000 EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models

350000 EQUIPMENT

This bulletin is to advise of SOAa??s revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This bulletin is to advise of SOAa??s revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.

350000 EQUIPMENT

To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.

350000 EQUIPMENT

Special Service Tools Cross Reference List.

350000 EQUIPMENT

All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)

030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from dragging due to corrosion buildup which may result in uneven o

350000 EQUIPMENT

Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newletter.

350000 EQUIPMENT

To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.

103110 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Remanufactured Automatic Transaxle Program

190000 TIRES

SUBARU: THERE IS A STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO AN IMPORPER WHEEL BALANCE. *RM

061110 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

RUBBING MARK ON TIMING BELT. SUBARU. *TT

151400 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

INFORMATION REGARDING SEAT BELT LATCH SLIDES TO THE LOWER SEAT BELT ANCHOR. *YH UPDATED *EH

162500 STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSIS THE REAR GATE STAYS AND ALSO AVOIDS UNNECESSARY REPLACEMENT OF NON-FAILED STAYS. *TT

036100 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) REPAIR. *TT UPDATE. *TT

101000 POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

CLUTCH PEDAL STICKING. *TT

116000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

SOA REPLACEMENT IGNITION WIRE SET. *TT *JB

021600 SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

NEW PROCEDURE FOR REPLACING REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. *TT

102000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

SUBJECT REGARDING SHIFTER RATTLE. *JG

102000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY EXHIBIT FIRST GEAR POPPING OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TT

036000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

SUBJECT REGARDING BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON SOME VEHICLES WITH ABS. *TT

061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF A SLIGHT ENGINE HESITATION ON VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS 2.5L AND 2.2L ENGINES. TT

140000 AIR BAGS

INFORMATION REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF RETROFIT AIR BAG

105000 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

INFORMATION ON INSTALLING REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTOR . *TT

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

INFORMATION ON ACCESSORY INSTALLATION MANUAL. *YC

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

SUBJECT ON SERVICE MANUAL CORRECTION. *YC

114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

LOCATION OF THE TRANSIT CONNECTOR. *TT

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

VARIOUS INFORMATION ON PROCEDURES AND THEFT PREVENTION STANDARDS. *YC

NHTSA Safety Investigations, SUBARU FORESTER

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2016

Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-009 to investigate 51 complaints and additional Early Warning Report (EWR) data related to allegations of front passenger seat Occupant Detection System (ODS) malfunctions in model year (MY) 2016 through 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. These vehic... les use a capacitive type ODS, which is intended to classify the occupant of the passenger seat as either full-sized, small stature, a child seat or other object. The complaints reported the ODS failed to operate properly, the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) warning light illuminated, and/or the ODS incorrectly suppressed (turned off) the front passenger air bag when the seat was occupied by a full-sized passenger. In a frontal crash that is sufficient to warrant deployment, a suppressed air bag may increase the risk of injury to the occupant of the seat.On August 14, 2019 ODI sent an Information Request (IR) to Subaru requesting information on the subject vehicles and MY 2014-2015 Subaru Forester vehicles.On October 3, 2019, Subaru submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect in the passenger-side front airbag Occupant Detection System (ODS) harness of 366,282 MY 2015-2018 Subaru Forester vehicles equipped with seat heaters.The DIR stated that over time, due to a decrease in contact pressure between the terminals in the ODS sensor mat harness, a temporarily unstable electrical connection may be possible. If the connection is temporarily unstable, the ODS may not properly determine the status of the right front seat occupant. If the ODS is unable to correctly determine the status of the front occupant, the airbag warning light may illuminate, and the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.Using vehicle production data and field occurrence frequency, Subaru determined the potentially affected vehicle production range to be between January 20, 2015 ?and August 1, 2017.In addition, Subaru indicated that over 99 percent of the related MY 2015-2018 field reports with vehicles in the production range involved vehicles with seat heaters.NHTSA's analysis of complaint and warranty claim data showed 1,440 of the complaints and 11,672 of the claims involve vehicles with seat heaters that were built within the production range covered by Subaru's recall.In addition, NHTSA's analysis showed a complaint rate of 393.1 per hundred thousand vehicles for the recalled population and 89.0 for MY 2014 through 2018 vehicles that are not included in the recall. Analysis of warranty claim data found a claim rate of 3.2 percent for the recalled population and 0.3 percent for MY 2014 through 2018 vehicles that are not included in the recall.Subaru will instruct owners with Subaru Forester vehicles produced in the affected vehicle production range, to bring their vehicles to a dealer to have the sensor mat harness, inspected and replaced with a new part, including the seat cushion assembly, if necessary.Based on ODI's analysis, the actions taken by Subaru mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by ODS sensor mat failures in the subject vehicles. For subject and peer vehicles outside the recall population and those equipped without seat heaters, ODI's analysis indicates that there is currently no safety-related defect trend. Given these circumstances, further use of the agency resources in this matter does not appear to be warranted. Accordingly, this investigation is closed.Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1999

SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION

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 EQ... Read more

SUBARU FORESTER - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the SUBARU FORESTER across all model years (1998, 2026).

114 Total Recalls

8,633 Total Complaints

2 Investigations

784 Reported Crashes

135 Reported Fires

10 Reported Deaths

SUBARU FORESTER - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2026	2	17	View
2025	2	108	View
2024	2	38	View
2023	1	102	View
2022	1	137	View
2021	0	285	View
2020	0	798	View
2019	3	1,084	View
2018	3	669	View
2017	1	789	View
2016	3	609	View
2015	3	894	View
2014	2	576	View
2013	12	94	View
2012	15	140	View
2011	16	195	View
2010	17	307	View
2009	18	228	View
2008	1	67	View
2007	1	89	View
2006	2	121	View
2005	1	105	View
2004	2	270	View
2003	3	238	View
2002	1	109	View
2001	0	169	View
2000	0	95	View
1999	1	156	View
1998 (current)	1	138

Other SUBARU Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
IMPREZA	321	3,425	View
LEGACY	307	4,132	View
OUTBACK	288	12,131	View
SOLTERRA	259	109	View
WRX	190	1,208	View
ASCENT	112	1,248	View
TRIBECA	70	51	View
CROSSTREK	42	1,453	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

1998 SUBARU FORESTER

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

Technical Service Bulletins, 1998 SUBARU FORESTER

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, SUBARU FORESTER

SUBARU FORESTER - All Years Overview

SUBARU FORESTER - Year by Year

Other SUBARU Models