1999 Subaru Forester Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 131 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the seat belts of the 1999 Subaru Forester, 3% of the 131 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Passenger side seat belt anchor bolt that mounts in the inside seat base came out of its mounting hole when the seat belt harness was inserted into the receiving buckle. The entire harness and attaching hardware then retracted toward the door hiting the passenger. Upon examination of the driver side anchor bolt it was found to be half way unthreaded from its hole in the drivers seat base.”
NHTSA complaint #703611, filed 1999-02“Was waiting at a stop light when another vehicle rearended Forester. Seat belt on driver's side failed to restrain. This caused driver to hit head on steering wheel. Seat belt was still locked. Er treatment and released.”
NHTSA complaint #890492, filed 2001-06“Rear seat belt anchors/assembly on 1999 Subaru Forester do not allow for acceptable secure installation of child seat (have tried approx 7 different models/seat makes since purchase of vehicle may 1999). Right and left side rear seat belt assembly consists of elr/alr continuous loop lap/shoulder belt with sliding latch plate. Seat belt locks (the female part) for right, left and even center (which is lap only) are anchored forward of seat crease so that it is impossible to properly secure child seats. …”
NHTSA complaint #746627, filed 2001-06Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 10 | 2% |
| 2017 | 10 | 2% |
| 2016 | 6 | 1% |
| 2015 | 9 | 1% |
| 2014 | 9 | 2% |
| 2013 | 3 | 4% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2011 | 7 | 5% |
| 2010 | 6 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1999 Subaru Forester
32 complaintsEngine cooling
25 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsTires
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsElectrical system
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