Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Subaru Forester owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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?
Dt: the consumer states on March 10, 2005, she totaled vehicle. The vehicle accelerated on its own, it went into a ditch. This was the second time this happened. The first time was in May 2004. This time, the vehicle went across traffic into a ditch. She had to call a tow truck. She took the vehicle to the dealership; he test drove the vehicle and replaced a tire that went flat. The mechanic told her the vehicle was fine. The second time, when going around a corner on a winding mountain road it went across the road again. It ended up in a ditch and the vehicle was totaled. There was a police report. She hasdtwo cracks on l-1 and both t-9 and t-10 need surgery. She also has a cracked sternum. She had to stay in the hospital for five days. She is currently seeing a specialist and an orthopedic surgeon. She found an article in the sacremento bee on April 13, 2005 title, click and clack. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that when the vehicle stopped moving, it accelerated without the accelerator being depressed intermittently and without any warning. The contact also crashed into another vehicle fifteen feet away and almost hit a pedestrian when the failure occurred. There were no injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the mechanic stated that the problem was unknown. The contact researched the problem and stated that the throttle position sensor caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 78,000. The current mileage was 178,000. Updated 1/7/14
Tl contact owns a 2001 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that on June 14, 2010, while at a stop sign, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into the vehicle in front of her. There were no injuries but the vehicle sustained minor damages. No police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to a repair center where it was currently being inspected. The contact had not called the dealership or the manufacturer at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 150,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Subaru Forester. While driving 5 MPH with the contact's foot off the accelerator pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 30 MPH. She depressed the brake pedal, however, the vehicle continued to accelerate and crashed into a tree. The vehicle was destroyed. The driver sustained bruises from the seat belt. The current and failure mileages were 64,000.
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.
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.
I was backing out of a parking place. My 2001 Subaru Forester suddenly accelerated. I had not put my foot on the accelerator pedal. I could not make the car stop with the brake although I practically stood on the brake. My right leg was injured because the ligament were strained by the force I used to try to stop the car. The car smashed into another car in the parking lot and suddenly came to a stop. Something similar happened in November, 2005 when the car suddenly surged forward and smashed into another car as I was coming to a stop. I assumed then that I had made a mistake, but now, with this second incident, I think there is something wrong with the car. The car is currently being repaired. I have asked the mechanic to check the accelerator.
Driving on highway at 75 MPH with cruise control set. Tried to cancel cruise control with stalk, it did not disengage. Tried repeatedly, it did not disengage. Hit the brakes to cancel cruise control, it did not disengage (brakes only slowed car down). Stepped on the clutch to cancel cruise control, it did not disengage. When I stepped on the clutch and shifted into neutral, the engine revved all the way to redline and remained there (meaning the cruise control was still engaged). Coasted to side of road with clutch in, engine continued to rev at redline... Continued hitting cancel on the stalk, eventually revs settled down to idle. Manual transmission was non-operational after this incident.
Sudden acceleration..car was idling few minutes in park in my driveway,before entering garage. When shifted to drive, with foot still on brake, car revved up, accelerated, crashed through garage wall into family room of home. Brakes did not work;only impact stopped car. Airbag did not open.
Acceleration complaints in other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2001 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2001 Subaru Forester, 21% of the model year's 139 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Subaru Forester acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2001 Subaru Forester. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Subaru Forester acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.