1999 Subaru Forester Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 24%of 131 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 Subaru Forester, 24% of the 131 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“As others have stated here and many more from various Subaru forums, I've been dealing with the shifting into drive issue (it acts as if it's in neutral) with the at. It can take several seconds to several minutes (and sometimes longer or not at all) before it engages. I usually have to rev/pump the accelerator until it corrects itself. Once I'm in drive all is well as long as I stay that way. This is random until it starts to get worse over time. I've read that this is fairly common and it's a worn piston seal or something that prevents enough pressure for the forward gear to engage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10871310, filed 2016-05, 89,000 miles“With about 15-18k miles, I started having problems with stuttering in first and second gear. It was always worst in winter, when it was cold. I searched the internet for other issues and found several chat rooms where people were having similar issues. I took the car in several times to the dealers who said they could not duplicate the problem. When reading the chat rooms, some people did have the dealers say this was a problem. I called Subaru's customer line and was told to go to the dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10060599, filed 2004-03, 15,000 miles“Have a 1999 Forester l w/auto tramsmission. I can drive in reverse all day with no problem. Going forward is hit and miss. Sometimes I can sit for 15 to 30 minutes before the forward gears engage. Once forward engages, I have no problem until I turn off the ignition. Servicing the trans is a temporary fix for a few thousand miles and then the problem slowly returns. I really like my car, but I'm sure the trans will eventually cease working all together.evidently other are having same problem according to chat rooms.”
NHTSA complaint #10105992, filed 2005-01, 93,000 miles“1999 Subaru forrester. Vehicle transmission began having difficulty shifting into drive. After approximately 7-10 days, vehicle slipped into neutral upon braking. Took several minutes to get vehicle back into drive. 2nd instance almost caused a major accident. I braked to turn left and began my turn. When I depressed the accelerator, I found the vehicle had again slipped into neutral and I was helplessly coasting with traffic heading toward me. Luckily, the oncoming traffic was able to stop in time to avoid an accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10110244, filed 2005-02, 74,000 miles“199 Subaru Forester. Letter from congressman sarbanes on behalf of constituent with concerns about mechanical problems with Subaru vehicles the consumer stated it was difficult to put the gear into drive. A mechanic informed the consumer the failure was with the clutch. The transmission failed with only a 119,000 miles on the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10351029, filed 2010-08, 119,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10089957Jan 15, 2014Repair procedure for high-pitched sound from extension housing area using latest generation production parts - this bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and…
- 10234828May 22, 2013This Bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and parts information to address a customer concern of a high-pitched sound coming from the transmission extension…
- 10234261Dec 12, 2012Remanufactured Automatic Transaxle Program
- 10234258Dec 11, 20125MT Transfer Driven Gear Bearings
- 10093967Dec 11, 2012This bulletin reviews a change to the part numbers used for the transfer driven gear bearings. These revised bearings are to be used to enhance durability.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 16 | 7% |
| 2020 | 32 | 5% |
| 2019 | 38 | 5% |
| 2018 | 23 | 5% |
| 2017 | 46 | 8% |
| 2016 | 51 | 12% |
| 2015 | 95 | 15% |
| 2014 | 41 | 10% |
| 2013 | 6 | 8% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 10% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 11 | 15% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 16 | 18% |
| 2001 | 23 | 17% |
| 2000 | 21 | 28% |
| 1999 | 32 | 24% |
| 1998 | 23 | 23% |
Other parts of the 1999 Subaru Forester
25 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsBrakes
19 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