Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1999 Subaru Forester
NHTSA data on file today
The 1999 Subaru Forester has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 131 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #99V040000 SUBARU/COLD WEATHER/ABS MASTER CYLINDER NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 32 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 24 complaints
- Suspension 24 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 18 complaints
- Tires 8 complaints
- Fuel System, Gasoline 5 complaints
Of the 131 complaints on file, 5 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 131 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1999 Subaru Forester has a below-average reliability rating due to frequent issues with the power train, engine cooling, and suspension systems. Owners have also reported significant brake and hydraulic system concerns, particularly in cold weather. These recurring problems lead to higher-than-average maintenance costs over time.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| power train | 80,000–120,000 miles | $1,500–$3,000 | very common |
| engine cooling | 70,000–110,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| suspension | 60,000–100,000 miles | $300–$800 | common |
| service brakes | 50,000–90,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
| hydraulic system | 50,000–90,000 miles | $400–$1,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- oil change every 5,000 miles
- brake inspection annually
- coolant replacement every 30,000 miles
- transmission fluid change every 60,000 miles
- timing belt replacement every 100,000 miles
- spark plug change every 30,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- loss of power during acceleration
- coolant leaks
- unusual suspension noises
- brake pedal going to the floor
- irregular engine idling
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1999 Subaru Forester at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.