Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2000 Subaru ForesterRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 75 owner complaints for the 2000 Subaru Forester. Most complaints involve power train (21) and suspension (19). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
75
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2000 Subaru Forester as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

75 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2000 – Oct 2022
  1. Power train21
  2. Suspension19
  3. Engine and engine cooling12
  4. Tires8
  5. Equipment5
  6. Fuel system, gasoline5
  7. Vehicle speed control4
  8. Seats2
  9. Fuel system, other1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Forester model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998101
1999134
200075
2001142
200292
2003191
2004219
200593
200688
200774
200850
2009178
2010262
2011147
2012106
201378
2014403
2015616
2016416
2017592
2018498
2019834
2020603
2021214
2022100
202374
202431
2025100
202634
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

21 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-55 MPH THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE VEHICLE OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 1/14/10 *CN UPDATED 01/15/10.*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 15, 2009Power trainODI 10295851

Suspension

19 reports
“The contact owns a 2000 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle began to shake and suddenly veered into the left lane into oncoming traffic. The contact stated that the vehicle had stopped in the middle of the road. The contact was unaware of any warning light being illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had to be pushed off the roadway. The contact stated that the passenger’s side front tire was at a 90-degree angle to the wheel well. The contact stated that he could see that the control arm had snapped. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the control arms, the inner power steering rack, and front stabilizer bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2022SuspensionODI 11491360

Engine and engine cooling

12 reports
“TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU FORRESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED OVER HEATING. HE PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICE COOLANT COMING FROM UNDERNEATH OF THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICES THE VEHICLE HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND LEAKING RADIATOR COOLANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000...MW”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 28, 2011Engine and engine coolingODI 10384792
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Forester AWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050423
Forester AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050423
  • Forester AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Forester AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Subaru Forester as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 4047
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2000 Forester questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Subaru Forester have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 31, 2026.

What are the most common 2000 Subaru Forester problems?

Owners filed 75 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (21), suspension (19), engine and engine cooling (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Subaru Forester get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Subaru Forester at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026