Model year record

1998 Subaru Forester

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 138 owner complaints on file.

Subaru Forester, 1998–2002 generation
Pictured: the 1998–2002 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V040000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
221,987
Reported to NHTSA
1999-03-03
Owners notified
1999-06-07

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Vehicle speed control13100,000 mi
Tires8—
Visibility: windshield6—
Engine and engine cooling: engine573,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor5—
Suspension: rear584,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4—
Power train: axle assembly4—
Power train: clutch assembly430,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission430,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing465,000 mi
Suspension: multiple axle4—
Air bags3—
Air bags: frontal3—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3—
Suspension3—
Unknown or other3—
Electrical system298,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2105,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system273,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor250,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2—
Power train2—
Power train: automatic transmission2—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2—
Seat belts: rear/other2—
Suspension: front2—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine1120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1—
Equipment1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, other198,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Power train: axle assembly: banjo housing1—
Power train: driveline1—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)1120,000 mi
Seats1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1140,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—

The 1999 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Subaru Forester model years

All Subaru Forester recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.