1999 Subaru Forester Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 14%of 131 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Subaru Forester, 14% of the 131 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a subura 1999 Forester it is telling me on internet their is a recall part needed for brakes system. But my dealer says there is not. .only for a different Forester. I think my Forester should be covered. It is a forrester. I am having a brake problem. The internet says yes the dealer says no.”
NHTSA complaint #10252297, filed 2008-12, 192 miles“Why is the brake line corrosion recall wqk-47 only for 2009-2013 foresters? I own a 1999 Forester which has just had a catastrophic brake line failure that is exactly the same as what is described in the recall. Corrosion of the brake lines is in the area of the junction block that is located under the car behind the area of the passenger seat. It seems that vehicle safety should not be dependent on the age of the vehicle, especially something as critical as the braking system. When the system failed, the brake pedal became very soft and I could feel it sinking toward the floor. …”
NHTSA complaint #11230370, filed 2019-07, 80,000 miles“Driving on fast downhill section of mountain 2 lane highway, on ice / packed snow, tapped brakes while entering curve ... 2 seconds later with absolutely no warning the vehicle lost adhesion, oversteering dangerously. I recovered with considerable oppposite steering lock and slight application of power (car is all-wheel-drive.) it happened so fast, I knew not what had caused the car to slide out of control. Today, I learned the cause of the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #723298, filed 2000-05“The contact owns a 1999 Subaru Forester. While driving 40 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal to avoid a dog. The vehicle would not stop and crashed into a telephone pole. The police arrived and filed a report. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The insurance company investigated the failure and informed her that this was a maintenance issue, rather than a safety issue. The Subaru manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in the recall. The recall number was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 100,000. Updated 03-25-08 updated 03/25/08”
NHTSA complaint #10217305, filed 2008-02, 100,000 miles“Consumer complaint concerning 1999 Forester gas mileage. The consumer stated he experienced problems with the transmission, brakes, a knock sensor, a squeak in the cargo panel and the catalytic converter.”
NHTSA complaint #10171181, filed 2006-10Related recalls
- 99V040000Mar 3, 1999Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles equipped with anti-lock braking system (abs). (the 1999 2.2 liter legacy vehicles are excluded). In…Covers: Subaru Forester 1998–1999, Legacy 1998–1999
Related service bulletins
- 10163525Jul 11, 2019This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 6 | 6% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 6 | 8% |
| 2022 | 11 | 11% |
| 2021 | 7 | 3% |
| 2020 | 14 | 2% |
| 2019 | 26 | 3% |
| 2018 | 14 | 3% |
| 2017 | 15 | 3% |
| 2016 | 29 | 7% |
| 2015 | 36 | 6% |
| 2014 | 31 | 8% |
| 2013 | 9 | 12% |
| 2012 | 16 | 15% |
| 2011 | 20 | 14% |
| 2010 | 37 | 14% |
| 2009 | 16 | 9% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 4 | 5% |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 8% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% |
| 2002 | 11 | 13% |
| 2001 | 16 | 12% |
| 1999 | 19 | 14% |
| 1998 | 15 | 15% |
Other parts of the 1999 Subaru Forester
32 complaintsEngine cooling
25 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsTires
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology