1998 Subaru Forester vs 1999 Subaru Forester
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1998 Subaru Forester | 1999 Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 101 | 131 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 31 | 42 |
| Investigations | 0 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 7 | 5 |
| Fire reports | 5 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–21 | 20–21 |
| Median reported mileage | — | 74,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Forester | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 23 | 32 |
| Suspension | 17 | 25 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 14 | 25 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 15 | 18 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 | 6 |
| Tires | 8 | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 | 4 |
| Visibility | 7 | 2 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 6 | 6 |
| Hesitation / surging | 5 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 6 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 5 |
1998 Subaru Forester
1999 Subaru Forester
Compare all Subaru Forester vs Subaru Forester years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.