2001 Subaru Forester Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 17%of 139 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Subaru Forester, 17% of the 139 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2001 standard transmission Subaru forrester failed to release cruise control when brake was used. I had difficulty, but was able to gain control and shift into neutral on the shoulder. Afterward, brakes seemed to work fine.”
NHTSA complaint #10372476, filed 2010-12, 80,300 miles“Around 100k miles my 2001 Subaru Forester (manual transmission) experienced severe hesitation and missing (bucking) in all gears, resulting in a loss of power. The timing belt was replaced and mechanic assured me everything with the timing belt and clutch was ok. Within a few days the car experienced the same severe jolting as before. In lower gears car accelerates extremely slowly, and often stalls after the severe shaking. …”
NHTSA complaint #10145879, filed 2005-12, 100,000 miles“I own a 2001 Subaru Forester l. My husband and I purchased the vehicle new and it now has 41000 miles. It has experienced repeated failures of the rear wheel bearings, at (right rear) 16000, (left rear) 25000. The vehicle now has symptoms of a third failure at 41000 mi. The vehicle was serviced by a dealer for each complaint. I have estimated date of first failure as I do not exactly remember..”
NHTSA complaint #10048899, filed 2003-11, 41,000 miles“My 2001 Subaru Forester has had a clutch shudder when starting the car cold shortly after I leased the vehicle. It is an intermittent problem which I brought to the attention of my Subaru technician in jan of 2001. They said they checked out the clutch and everything looks fine . It still has the same problem, but if I can't reproduce it for them they can't fix it. I have read other complaints from other Forester owners about this and Subaru has issued a TSB # 03-51-02r. Why does the consumer have to tell these people how to fix the vehicles they service?”
NHTSA complaint #10054813, filed 2004-01, 15,435 miles“Manual transmission suburu Forester purchased may 12, 2001 in chicago, illinois. In may of 2004 car began to have slow start up in lst. And 2nd. Gears. Dealer said he did not find a problem. However, problem worsened and progressed into 3rd, 4th. And 5th. Gears. Until one day in july while on highway clutch exploded. Dealership suggested car had been driven as though by a race car driver which caused the problem. Dealer suggested in my june 04 phone call that car might need a tune up which is why I did not hesitate to drive it with my children in it at highway speeds. …”
NHTSA complaint #10081093, filed 2004-07, 24,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
- 10186364Jan 12, 2021This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
- 10150949Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10150924Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 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 | 15 | 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 2001 Subaru Forester
29 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 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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