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SteeringPart report

1999 Subaru Forester Steering Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
2%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 3 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Subaru Forester, 2% 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.

“At 60 to 70 MPH the car can suddenly loses handling control. It starts to bob and rock and I thought it was going to tip over. This occurred 2 times with 2 different drivers. Eventually the car did straighten out and fortunately there were no cars around so no accident occurred.”

NHTSA complaint #704941, filed 1999-03

“New vehicle became uncontrollable, veering from side to side, then going off the road, within first 7 miles of driving at 60 MPH. *** 7 purchased a new Subaru Forester l on june 24, 1999, and drove 200 miles in city and suburban traffic, maximum speed 55 MPH. *** 7 left rochester for family vacation on july 2, 1999, travelling east on I-90. The car contained two adults and two children. Driver and passengers were wearing seatbelts and all luggage was in the luggage compartment. The weather was hot and the roads were dry. …”

NHTSA complaint #708234, filed 1999-07

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202522%
202413%
202311%
202222%
202131%
2020112%
2019142%
2018255%
2017254%
2016195%
2015193%
2014164%
201211%
201111%
201052%
200932%
200848%
200734%
2006910%
200522%
200410%
200342%
200211%
200121%
200011%
199932%
199833%

Other parts of the 1999 Subaru Forester

Transmission and drivetrain
32 complaints
Engine cooling
25 complaints
Suspension
25 complaints
Brakes
19 complaints
Tires
7 complaints
Vehicle speed control
6 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Seat belts
4 complaints
Wheels
4 complaints
Engine
3 complaints
Equipment
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1999 Subaru Forester

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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