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2001 Subaru Forester Problems and Repair Histories

2001 Subaru Forester  Problems:

2001 Subaru Forester problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys

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2001 Subaru Foresters for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 2001 Subaru Forester problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.

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Non-members can see only ten 2001 Subaru Forester problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.

Repair costs are in local units.

2001 Subaru Forester

Engine not specified

Subaru Forester in Alberta, Canada
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Apr 2009 107260   First odometer entry
May 2009 107880 5000 Burning all the oil in the engine within a few months. 
Aug 2009 108500 150 Stitching on leather seat split open. No cuts or tears just sewing up stitching that came loose. 
Oct 2009 108500 0 Burning oil. All 4 struts were leaked out. CV boot torn on passenger outer. 
Nov 2009   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Massachusetts, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
May 2011 109000   First odometer entry
Jun 2011 111000 1900 Leaky Head Gasket: Replaced gaskets, machined heads, and cleaned valves. 
Jul 2011 113000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in South Dakota, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Jul 2009 108000   First odometer entry
Aug 2009 108000 2000 Engine rebuild. I took very good care of this car, in fact I saved all maint. records. Repaired car and sold. I didn't want to put any more $$ into car. Since the car was too good to salvage, I decided to repair and sell since it was running great. 
Mar 2010   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Washington, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Jan 2010 89000   First odometer entry
Feb 2010 90000 1600 blown head gasket 
Jun 2011   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in New Jersey, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Nov 2008 126000   First odometer entry
Dec 2008 128000 400 Rear wheel bearings. 
Mar 2010   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Ontario, Canada
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Mar 2013 124000   First odometer entry
Apr 2013 124000 872 Brake fluid leaking, repaired and brake parts replaced 

 

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2001 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD

Subaru Forester in California, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Jan 2010 166000   First odometer entry
Mar 2010 169000 25 Blown head gasket temporarily fixed with stop leak. 
Jun 2010 173000 50 Leaking clutch hose. 
Nov 2010 180000 0 Radiator started leaking but after a few days it fixed itself due to the K-Seal that was put into the radiator in March. 
Jan 2011 182000 600 Replaced left rear wheel bearing  and front drive shaft. 
Jan 2012 201000 0 Head gaskets leaking internally and externally, will need clutch as it's original, brakes, timing belt and struts...time to trade it in. 
Feb 2013 212000 0 Needs clutch, timing belt, brakes, front suspension parts, struts and shocks, head gaskets and the trans makes noise when it's cold. Time to sell! 
Mar 2013 212000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in California, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Jul 2010 74000   First odometer entry
Aug 2010 74000 0 Problem with moonroof. Not opening or closing properly and finally cranked shut March 2010. Can't find info to fix and dealership left town. Mechanic said could fix and only made worse. He even cracked roof window in half! Mad as hell!!! 
Jun 2011   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Massachusetts, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Jun 2010 153000   First odometer entry
Jul 2010 155000 1100 O2 sensors and exhaust from cat back. 
Oct 2010   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Illinois, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Jan 2012 138000   First odometer entry
Feb 2012 138500 800 wiring harness failure, causing short to fuel pump. Cam leaking oil. Window wiper in rear needed fluid tubing replaced. Had all done at dealer 800.00. 
Apr 2012 139300 358 Slave cylinder in clutch died, dealer said had some kind of service recall(TSB) on that part. The part is replaced and you are left with the labor charge to pay. So out of the shop for less then 400.00. 
Jan 2013 143700 0 Alternator was making bad bearing sound, time for it to be replaced. Had this done and also had front brakes done, and power steering flush. 
Apr 2013 148000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in California, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Oct 2012 138000   First odometer entry
Nov 2012 138000 0 loss of compression 
Dec 2012   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in New South Wales, Australia
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Feb 2010 92380   First odometer entry
Jun 2012 109740 400 Original radiator replaced due to age. 
Mar 2013 114080   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Michigan, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Mar 2010 94000   First odometer entry
Jun 2010 97000 486 Front axle inner CV joint boots both failed. Opted for new axles given high mileage. Rear disc rotors braking surface badly rusted. Rotors & pads replaced only. 
Mar 2011 105000 500 Secondary oxygen sensor malfunction. Replacement solved problem. 
Aug 2012   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Massachusetts, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Oct 2008 91000   First odometer entry
Nov 2008 91000 1 After 7 years, rain gets down the rear window wiper shaft and "freezes" it such that the motor encounters too much resistance and doesn't go. The fix is to remove rear gate trim and wiper motor cover, and then spray lube the shaft and work the arm free. 
Dec 2008 92000 120 Forester orig rear wheel bearings are weak. Inde shop replaced them 11 months and 4900 miles ago, now howling again. Shop would not replace for free, so I will do it myself. Halted work to buy more parts/tools due to frozen lat link bolt to bushing. 
Jan 2009 92000 0 I tightened power steering belt since it was squealing in cold weather. Easily done yourself in driveway. 
Apr 2009 93000 140 County Auto of Somerville MA did not replace, or did not use the upgrade roller bearings in repair of my car. When I dug into the knuckle to do it right myself, out came original BALL bearings--one was cracked in half! Small claims court, here we come! 
Aug 2009 96000 80 What should have been a do-it-myself front pads and rotors replacement turned into a trip to the shop to torch heat and remove the corrosion welded pad bracket bolts...one of which I had sheared off with a breaker bar. Installed new bolts & pads, rotors. 
Sep 2009 96000 30 For 2 years, I have found oil creeping onto driver side spark plug boots. It's due to the spark plug seals (pips) getting hard and no long sealing oil out of the spark plug tubes. So I replaced the pips, valve cover gasket, and bolt washers/seals. 
Apr 2010 100000 50 2 yrs after shop replaced AC condenser and recharged refrigerant, the compressor now will not switch on. So I bought a multimeter and I am now probing around the circuitry to try and figure out why no power to the compressor. Not yet resolved. 
May 2010 100000 514 Subaru A/C system is very thinly built. Shop detected leak in discharge line(from compressor to condensor). Replaced and recharged system. Said no need to replace original receiver/dryer. Blowing nice cold air now. 
Mar 2011 106000 60 Rear exhaust pipe flange of original exhaust system finally rusted out. Independent shop cut out flange, and welded in a short piece of pipe. Quick and easy. Hope will last a few years, since the rest of the pipes and muffler seem solid. 
May 2011 107000 98 Knock Sensor CEL turned on and off occasionally during past month, lately remaining on mostly. No drivability issue noticed. Replaced knock sensor myself quite easily with online instrux. CEL went off and has stayed off. 
Jul 2011 109000 400 Replaced driver's side front axle since boot was torn. Replaced front pads, driver's side rotor, slide pin boots. Spent time to grind down pins and brackets so pad movement improved.  Put new bolts in rattling heat shields. 
Sep 2011 110000 49 Wife noticed temp gauge rise and steam from under hood, she immediately pulled over and parked car. GOOD WIFE! Bottom radiator hose clamp rusted through and broke off causing coolant dump. I reattached hose and replaced all hose clamps. Since May 2011, when car warm, we experienced what we thought was torque bind, aka center differential bind. Turns out it was actually FRONT diff. bind. Fixed by replacing front differential oil. Myself in driveway. All symptoms gone. 
Mar 2012 113000 26 Clutch went to floor last summer in very hot traffic jams. I am guessing it is the clutch slave cylinder, so I replaced that myself. Very easy to fix. If it happens again this summer, then I will replace the master cylinder next. 
Apr 2012 113000 92 A year after working on front left brake caliper slide pins, they were sticking along with the lower cylinder. So this time I replaced the pads and the entire caliper&bracket with a rebuilt one from AutoZone. Very easy if bolts not frozen. 
May 2012 113000 90 Driver's side rear wheel bearing was growling again for the last 6 months, so I replaced it. Since this same bearing was replaced 3 years ago, I now wonder if maybe the knuckle is damaged and that caused the bearing to fail. We will see. 
Jun 2012 114500 6 Since 02/12 the ABS modulator would intermittently buzz, then the ABS light would come on and the buzz would stop. The fix is to wire brush scrub the ground wires eyelet and ground bolt that lead into wire harness and connector on modulator 
Aug 2012 77 The CEL code PO420 came on in June, but that seems to come on every summer once or twice. It returned after I cleared it, within a month an exhaust leak was audible. Shop replaced gasket in front flange. I cleared code. All ok now. 
Nov 2012 117300 0 PO420 CEL came on again. This is usually due to an exhaust leak. I cleared the code off after a few days and it has not come back on. So I will assume no real leak in exhaust system for now. 
Apr 2013 120000 0 PO420 CEL on for a month before car inspection due. I pressed rag over tailpipe to check for exhaust leak, but none. So I cleared code, drove for 2 weeks and 183 miles, so the rear Oxygen sensor would reset itself, car passed inspection. 

 

Subaru Forester in Colorado, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
May 2009 98000   First odometer entry
Jun 2009 99000 200 CV joint boot. 
Dec 2009 102000 550 Faulty head gasket replaced, along with thermostat. List price =$2,400. Subaru paid all but $550. Also got NEW loaner car! 
Oct 2010 108000 187 Sunroof motor burned out in August (in closed position). Problem diagnosed in October. Decided to repair in the spring. 
Apr 2011 110000 1100 Sunroof motor failed in October 2010, and was replaced in April 2011. Auto-dimming mirror stopped auto-dimming in summer 2009. Replaced in April 2011. 
Oct 2011 112000 235 Needed an a/c pulley system. It was making noise and they replaced it. 
Dec 2012 121000 225 replaced 10 instrument panel bulbs - 1 had burned out, and it is cheaper to do them all at once. 
Apr 2013 124000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Quebec, Canada
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Dec 2009 76880   First odometer entry
Jan 2010 78120 1200 oil pan changed (was rusted)  wiper linkage changed (were slack) clock changed (didn't work) crank sensor changed (during extreme cold weather car refused to start, after a short drive) 
Jan 2011 81220 300 code P1443: vent valve malfunction. replace evap vent valve rear window windshield "wash" not working; tube cut and reinstalled 
Mar 2012 83080 750 Rotten middle/rear exhaust pipe, plus muffler 
Feb 2013 84940 580 dead battery and dead alternator 
Apr 2013 84940 0 dead battery and dead alternator were replaced 
May 2013   Most recent odometer entry.

 

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2001 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD

Subaru Forester in North Carolina, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Dec 2010 218000   First odometer entry
Jan 2011 220000 200 Timing belt tensioner bearing busted. Replacement of tensioner. 

 

Subaru Forester in California, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Mar 2011 86000   First odometer entry
Apr 2011 86000 0 Head gasket repaired under warranty. Barely leaking, and at first dealer refused to replace it until I used the name of the independent mechanic who noticed the leak. They know him. 
Mar 2013 109000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Michigan, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Feb 2011 202000   First odometer entry
May 2011 204000 1500 Timing belt water pump idlers etc repaired successfully. Rear end whine, replaced wheel bearing and axle, still whining. 
Jun 2011 205000 100 Transmission locked out of drive. Brake sensor replaced. 
Sep 2012 215000 75 Leaking head gaskets on both sides. Put gasket conditioner and new coolant in. 
Jan 2013 217300 46 Fuel hose near throttle body cracked. 
Mar 2013 220000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in California, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Apr 2010 85 check engine light had been coming on and turning off for several months; American West Tire Pros scanned for codes and found random misfire #4 cylinder and code for catalytic converter efficienty. Cleared codes, no repairs. 
Sep 2010 0 In for an oil change and again, for the check engine light that comes on and off; code indicated catalytic converter efficiency, recommended muffler shop. 
Nov 2010 138 In for an oil change and to trouble shoot check engine light; code indicated knock sensor and it was replaced. 
Dec 2010 555 Golden Hills Auto Center performed scan for check engine light, indicated spark plug wire and ignition coil failure (also resurfaced rotors - replaced rears after they damaged them. 
Mar 2011 1903 Check engine light still, check oil burn smell - missfire at #4 cylinder, oil in spark plug; replaced cylinder head gaskets, timing belt(?), water pump(?). Check engine light returned after this repair. 
Jul 2011 148700 1110 Replaced C/V boot driver side  
Nov 2011 154700 172 During a routine inspection, it was discovered that the tie-rod end was loose and need to be replace. Repair was done. 
Dec 2012 178000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Massachusetts, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Sep 2008 114000   First odometer entry
Dec 2008 115000 420 Left rear wheel bearing replacement. The same bearing had been replaced at 35K miles. 
Jul 2009 120000 3900 Head gaskets, all engine seals, oil cooler gasket, oil pump gasket  cat converter was working OK, but fittings were badly rusted so after engine removal, could not be reused. left rear wheel bearing was faulty fix from 9 months ago, right rear wheel bearing was new problem. Backing plates for rear brakes were completely rusted away. AC receiver dryer was leaking 
Aug 2010 138000 0 wheel bearings worn out within a year of being replaced. rear control arm bushings worn out fuel filler pipe was badly rusted and needed to be replaced. 
Aug 2011 144300 160 Idler pulley on AC drive belt froze, causing belt to fail. Replaced pulley and belt. 
Nov 2011 150000 92 Running poorly, lacked power, especially at low speed. Replaced upstream oxygen sensor. 
Jul 2012 158300 15 Let rear tie rod end bushing failed and needed to be replaced. 
Feb 2013 169000 95 Knock sensor needed to be replaced. 
Apr 2013 170500 350 Evaporative control hard lines were rusted through, causing a evaporation control system leak. 
May 2013 171000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Pennsylvania, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Mar 2011 105000   First odometer entry
Oct 2011 112500 800 Drive side Axle needed replacement. 
Feb 2013 128000 1600 head gasket seal was replaced. 
Mar 2013 130000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Virginia, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Jan 2009 114000   First odometer entry
Oct 2010 148300 75 Heat shield under car attaching screws rusted and let go, shield was dragging on the road. Heat shield was replaced between catalytic converter and muffler. 
Mar 2011 159000 595 Loud grinding noise when driving with drop in gas mileage. Right front wheel bearing failed and was replaced. Changed oil while in in shop for the repair 
Jan 2012 169000 313 Check engine light came on intermittantly. Code indicated that the catalytic converter was at or below 95% efficiency Air conditioner pulley seized, destroyed the drive belt 
Sep 2012 181000 2795 Both rear wheel bearings were making noise and were replaced. Four wheel alignment performed as rear links were cut. Check engine light on permanently. First converter of two was replaced. Error code cleared. Fuel purge solenoid set error code and was sticking closed. Shop blew out lines and cleaned solenoid, reset computer. Error code did not reappear. 
Jan 2013 193000 0 Strong gasoline odor on starting cold engine when outside air temperatures below 25F. Some gasoline visible around and near fuel lines. Repair consisted of tightening the fuel line clamps around the rubber line connectors. 
Mar 2013 195000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Maryland, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Apr 2010 60000   First odometer entry
May 2010 60000 300 Rear bearings replaced 

 

Subaru Forester in Oklahoma, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Oct 2009 203000   First odometer entry
Nov 2009 205000 40 Replaced rear brake pads. Pads wore prematurely due to a sticking caliper on the right side. Freed the caliper and cycled it. Hoping it will hold out for another 200,000. 
Mar 2010 212000 680 Replaced both rear wheel bearings. The standard Subaru weakness. This is the second time I have replaced them. I wish this car had a sealed bearing cartridge. 
Dec 2010 222000 75 Replaced passenger front axle. CV boot was torn.  
Mar 2012   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Oregon, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Jan 2009 67000   First odometer entry
Sep 2010 73000 0 Small oil leak at valve cover put oil into spark plug wells, compromised wires & required R&R wiring and plugs & R&R valve cover gasket. 
Jun 2011   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Maine, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Mar 2010 112000   First odometer entry
Jun 2010 117000 267 Repair inner tie rod end and boot 
Jul 2012   Most recent odometer entry.

 

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2001 Subaru Forester 4-door

turbocharged 4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Subaru Forester in Kenya
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Nov 2008 42780   First odometer entry
Jun 2010 52700 12000 Changed shocks 
Sep 2011 58280   Most recent odometer entry.

 

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2001 Subaru Forester 4-door

4-cylinder manual AWD

Subaru in Texas, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Sep 2008 120000   First odometer entry
Oct 2008 121000 200 Overheating on long drives. 
Feb 2009 122000 200 Hydraulic clutch line ruptured. 
Mar 2010   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Manitoba, Canada
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Feb 2009 106640   First odometer entry
Mar 2009 108500 540 Went in for an oil change. Replaced rear brake pads and rotors (too thin to machine). 
Mar 2010   Most recent odometer entry.

 

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2001 Subaru Forester 4-door

4-cylinder automatic AWD

Subaru Forester in New York, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Oct 2008 84000   First odometer entry
Nov 2008 85000 345 Oil was leaking. Car hooked up to computer. "O" ring replaced. We noticed sparks coming out of exhaust. Dealership replaced oxygen sensor. Still an occasional spark but not as much. We haven't told dealer this. 
Mar 2010   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Massachusetts, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Aug 2009 150000   First odometer entry
Sep 2009 151000 1725 replaced front brake pads and resurfaced rotors replaced the rear shoes and drums needs steering boots replace dipstick tube o ring 
Mar 2010   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Subaru Forester in Michigan, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
May 2009 129000   First odometer entry
Jul 2009 133000 950 new front brake rotors and pads wheel bearing right passenger side rear needed replacement. 
Mar 2010   Most recent odometer entry.

 

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Expert 2001 Subaru Forester Repair Advice

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