10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 1
Average Mileage:
22,692 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Subaru Forester engine problems

engine problem

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1998 Subaru Forester Owner Comments

problem #13

Aug 312007

Forester 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 1998 subara Forester went into a "sudden acceleration". luckily, no one was killed, but the car sustained significant damage.

- N. San Juan, CA, USA

problem #12

Feb 012006

Forester 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles
: 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 to a dealership. The thermostat was replaced. There was not a police report filed. Updated 3/28/2006 -

- Media, PA, USA

problem #11

Jul 062004

Forester

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,995 miles
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.

- Battle Ground, IN, USA

problem #10

Apr 012002

Forester 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

problem #9

Jan 092002

Forester 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When vehicle was turned on it suddenly accelerated backwards very fast, crashing into two vehicles. Consumer has contacted dealer. Cause of the problem has yet to be determined. While vehicle was in park and consumer had foot on the brake and turned on ignition the vehicle accelerated very fast in reverse and caused accident, consumer is also having various electrical problems with the vehicle, such as the battery draining, security system goes off while parked, and the doors lock by themselves.

- Passadena, MD, USA

problem #8

Nov 012000

Forester

  • miles
While at a stop light and when driver accelerates engine will rev. Consumer has also changed rotors, and it's time to change them again after 3000 miles.

- Middletown, MD, USA

problem #7

Aug 222000

Forester

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Cruise control engaged at 66 mph and it would reduce speed to 50 mph, and momentarily lose acceleration. Dealer was not notified at this time.

- Witchita, KS, USA

problem #6

Oct 191999

Forester 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Engine started to race while driving, transmission won't engage without grinding. Needs new clutch. Not sure why a clutch should go in 2 years of having the car.

- Santa Cruz, CA, USA

problem #5

Sep 091998

Forester

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer proceeded to pull into a parking space then the vehicle surged forward unexpectedly and started to accelerate.

- Eagan, MN, USA

problem #4

Oct 221998

(reported on)

Forester 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration when put in reverse, driver lose control resulting in driver hitting a man.

- Bridgeport, CT, USA

problem #3

Sep 151998

(reported on)

Forester 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Security system goes off when hazard lights are engaged/ABS brakes squeak. In addition, while pulling out of parking spot, vehicle lunged forward unexpectedly, and engine check light comes on.

- Eagan, MN, USA

problem #2

Apr 181998

Forester 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While coming to a complete stop with foot on brake the vehicle surged forward unexpectedly, causing an accident. Dealer said there is no problem.

- Westminster, CO, USA

problem #1

Feb 061998

Forester 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle surged when braking at slow speeds and crashed into vehicle in front of it.

- Albuquerqu, NM, USA

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