Most common 2000 Subaru Forester problems
Share of the 75 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Subaru Forester complaints by model year
Best Forester years: 2013, 2024. Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2015, 2018. Compare all years →
What 2000 Subaru Forester owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 21 →
Chattering clutch on 2000 Subaru Forester. This constantly happens when the car is cold and continues all the way through the four forward gears. I have driven manual transmissions for over 35 years and I know it is not my driving/shifting skills. A check of a message board shows that other Subaru owners are experiencing the same problem. The dealership will not acknowledge a problem outside of driver error. This could be a safety issue and/or design defect. My car is now out of warranty and I have learned to live with this. But if this is an actual defect that should be repaired by the manufacturer, I want it known that I have the problem. There is also the issue of bad o2 sensors on this car. Mine was replaced 3 times before a recall was done. That was 32,000 miles ago and now the "check engine" light has come back on only after a 60,000 mile service. …
Repeat premature failure of rear axle bearing. Rear axle bearing on both sides became noisy when car was 35K mi (12-09-02) dealer replaced both under warranty with same OEM Subaru 28016fc001. Rear axle on left became very noisy again around 57K mi, especially on freeway and high speed. Took it to dealer again (06-22-04). This time, dealer (schuman carriage motors inc., dba Subaru of hawaii, also dba as waialae Subaru) dismissed noise as from tires, refused to honor warranty, and charged us an undisclosed $96 "diagnostic fee". Unpleasant experience at dealership caused great emotional trauma to my wife. She subsequently was diagnosed by medical doctor of shingle likely induced by stress and leaving her unable to wear eye contact lenses even to this day. Other car garages later confirmed the left rear axle bearing is the cause of the noise. …
Suspension
The contact owns a 2000 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle began to shake and suddenly veered into the left lane into oncoming traffic. The contact stated that the vehicle had stopped in the middle of the road. The contact was unaware of any warning light being illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had to be pushed off the roadway. The contact stated that the passenger's side front tire was at a 90-degree angle to the wheel well. The contact stated that he could see that the control arm had snapped. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the control arms, the inner power steering rack, and front stabilizer bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). …
Complained to servicing dealer about excessive noise. Report was at 49,622 miles, both rear wheel bearings have failed. This component is not normally inspected or replaced in the ordinary schedule of manufacturer's recommended care. My web research shows quite a few reports of this same failure, indicating inadequate design or faulty components. Average miles to failure seem to be around 50,000. Increasingly, these cases will be showing up given the age and typical mileage of these cars. Anyone who ignores the sound level increase is liable to experience a complete failure on the road with definite safety implications. No one seems to be compiling statistics on this defect, except perhaps Subaru. …
Engine & cooling
Chattering clutch on 2000 Subaru Forester. This constantly happens when the car is cold and continues all the way through the four forward gears. I have driven manual transmissions for over 35 years and I know it is not my driving/shifting skills. A check of a message board shows that other Subaru owners are experiencing the same problem. The dealership will not acknowledge a problem outside of driver error. This could be a safety issue and/or design defect. My car is now out of warranty and I have learned to live with this. But if this is an actual defect that should be repaired by the manufacturer, I want it known that I have the problem. There is also the issue of bad o2 sensors on this car. Mine was replaced 3 times before a recall was done. That was 32,000 miles ago and now the "check engine" light has come back on only after a 60,000 mile service. …
Letter received from Subaru March 2004 stating that a cooling system conditioner needs to be added to the cooling system to prevent an external coolant leak at the vehicle's engine cylinder head gaskets. Went to Subaru as required by letter March 9, 2004, they add cooling system conditioner and I am told this will prevent leaks at the engine cylinder head gaskets and this is stated in the letter too. Note that the first time, I receive this notice is 4 years after purchase. The most recent service, I had done by annapolis Subaru was the coolant system service in November 2005. It is February 2006 and my car needs a cylinder head gasket. According to service department at herb gordon Subaru, the consequences of not replacing the cylinder head gasket is engine failure. Engine failure is a safety risk. At no point are you warned that your engine May stop operating while driving. …
2000 Subaru Forester engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Subaru Forester a good car?
Based on 75 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 Forester rates average: 34% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Forester at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Subaru Forester?
The transmission & drivetrain — 21 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the suspension (19) and engine & cooling (12).
How many recalls does the 2000 Subaru Forester have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2000 Subaru Forester. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Subaru Forester?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2015 and 2018. See the full Subaru Forester years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Subaru Forester problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 78,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.