Model year record

1999 Subaru Forester

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 156 owner complaints on file.

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
Power train: automatic transmission1474,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1177,848 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1129,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip8
Suspension: rear743,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline6
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components6
Suspension: multiple axle6
Tires641,300 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine599,000 mi
Power train589,000 mi
Vehicle speed control548,700 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft4
Wheels416,000 mi
Engine381,400 mi
Fuel system, gasoline394,863 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal351,032 mi
Power train: clutch assembly341,421 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic3192 mi
Structure396,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system260,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap285,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly253,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2
Suspension2
Visibility: windshield2
Air bags172,000 mi
Air bags: frontal151,000 mi
Electrical system1175,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment131,699 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift126,340 mi
Power train: axle hubs151,032 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Power train: manual transmission: lubricant153,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Seats1
Service brakes180,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering1
Tires: bead1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1

The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2000 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

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.