2001 Subaru Forester Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 21%of 139 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2001 Subaru Forester, 21% of the 139 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,000 miles. 17 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving alone in a 2001 Subaru Forester around 3pm on a sunny august day in 2010. Heading south on a 2 lane road in tallahassee, fl, I approached a red stoplight ahead with two vehicles stopped in front of me. As I started to brake, the vehicle abruptly accelerated, I swerved into the oncoming lane to avoid the stopped cars in my lane as the vehicle continued to accelerate to about 40 miles/hr. …”
NHTSA complaint #10376491, filed 2011-01, 98,000 miles“While pulling out of a curbside parking place on a city street the engine started racing and I could not control it by stomping on the brakes or applying the emergency brake. As I was wrestling to keep the surging car under control another car came driving by and was sideswiped. On two prior occasions I had taken this car to check out the surging which takes place when the car is starting up. The dealership and the independent repair shop that I consulted both assured me that they had adjusted the idle and the car was now safe to drive. But is it?”
NHTSA complaint #10846270, filed 2016-03, 57,045 miles“On 3/31/2004 I was exiting the parking lot of a supermarket in jackson, when suddenly, my 2001 Forester lurched forward and continued to accelerate even as I was breaking. It went out into cooper street (a very busy street). Fortunately there were no oncoming cars. It continued over the curb and hit several trees before it stopped.”
NHTSA complaint #10064505, filed 2004-04, 55,000 miles“Brakes just do not work on snow, ice (ABS does not kick in), and the wheels do not turn. Happened several times, ran into an intersection on red at least 4 times. Accident waiting to happen; noticed other complaints of accidents.”
NHTSA complaint #10563597, filed 2014-02, 20,000 miles“Car accelerating while brakes engaged and foot off gas pedal. Hit another car and brick wall while using the emergency brake. Engine afterward revved up so fast when car turned on several times. Returned to normal. Drove care to dealer. Nothing wrong can be found.”
NHTSA complaint #10344126, filed 2010-07, 110,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 6 | 8% |
| 2022 | 9 | 9% |
| 2021 | 12 | 6% |
| 2020 | 24 | 4% |
| 2019 | 27 | 3% |
| 2018 | 30 | 6% |
| 2017 | 33 | 6% |
| 2016 | 37 | 9% |
| 2015 | 70 | 11% |
| 2014 | 42 | 10% |
| 2013 | 7 | 9% |
| 2012 | 18 | 17% |
| 2011 | 13 | 9% |
| 2010 | 24 | 9% |
| 2009 | 19 | 11% |
| 2008 | 6 | 12% |
| 2007 | 8 | 11% |
| 2006 | 20 | 23% |
| 2005 | 17 | 18% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 15 | 8% |
| 2002 | 23 | 26% |
| 2001 | 29 | 21% |
| 2000 | 4 | 5% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1998 | 14 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2001 Subaru Forester
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 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