2001 Subaru Forester Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 139 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 189,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Subaru Forester, 1% of the 139 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 189,000 miles.
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.
“I was driving down the freeway at night when I heard a loud bang noise and looked behind me and saw black smoke and had lost all power, no power steering, no brakes and no lights I had to try to cross 2 lanes of traffic to get my car to the shoulder while it was decelerating. I got the car to the shoulder and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment, and was worried of a possible fire. I got out and called a tow truck and had it towed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10509215, filed 2013-04, 189,000 miles“Unusual heat in the instrument control panel when the rheostat controlled lights were on high, impossible to use tape deck because of the heat generated, overheating rheostat control for the dashboard light, either the instrument panel gauge in the rheostat or the incorrect wattage in the instrument panel degrees.”
NHTSA complaint #9004451, filed 2001-10Related service bulletins
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- 11024858Oct 23, 2025This Bulletin outlines a comprehensive update to the dark current/parasitic draw diagnosis & testing procedures.
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- 11022319Aug 21, 2025This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
- 11022309Aug 13, 2025Subaru of America, Inc. will release an OTA to perform a software update to the DCM. This is a preventive OTA.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 25% |
| 2025 | 9 | 9% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 8 | 11% |
| 2022 | 11 | 11% |
| 2021 | 34 | 16% |
| 2020 | 103 | 17% |
| 2019 | 134 | 16% |
| 2018 | 71 | 14% |
| 2017 | 106 | 18% |
| 2016 | 93 | 22% |
| 2015 | 82 | 13% |
| 2014 | 42 | 10% |
| 2013 | 3 | 4% |
| 2012 | 10 | 9% |
| 2011 | 11 | 7% |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% |
| 2009 | 22 | 12% |
| 2008 | 5 | 10% |
| 2007 | 5 | 7% |
| 2006 | 7 | 8% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 6 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2001 Subaru Forester
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsWheels
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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