Overview & Reviews

Forester's engine makes more torque and the automatic transmission has been improved. L and S models have longer lists of standard equipment and two new colors are available.

• Handles like a car. Accelerates like a car. Rides like a car.

• Travels off-road like a car.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 51.00

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  High Miles - a real workhorse - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By Chuck - November 21 - 11:33 pm

  I put on 324,000 miles on my 99 Forester and finally have a problem with the transmission. Did a valve job about 290,000 miles. Replacement engines were hard to find. Had some more minor problems along the way but taken care of okay. I would like to replace the transmission but they may also not be easy to find or be reasonable enough.

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  AXLE LEAKING WHAT IS THAT? - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By apstoreca - October 14 - 10:00 am

  service is good if you can get it in the bay. the cloth on the headrest keeps popping and subarau unwilling to fix it in a timely fashion or well.

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  Darn wheel bearings - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By BillMopar - July 19 - 11:30 am

  I love the car, had it since 1999, but I have replaced the wheel bearings six times now. Sometime the car will not engage into drive from park. That normally happens every 30 thousand miles. How I correct this problem is by changing trans. fluid and filter.

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  240K Great car - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By John - May 4 - 5:16 am

  Bought ours used with 90k. After normal maintenance (Battery, 1 CV joint, brakes) and another 140K it is at its end. Engine seal leak, transmission is slipping. Has been a great car for hauling 4 dogs to park, great in the snow and rain.

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  Not-so-great - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By dvnguyen - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Started to experience minor problems when the car reached 30,000 miles mark. The interior faded significantly, engine ran rough etc.... But the most annoying thing was the failure of the rear wheel bearing. Turned out this is the common problem for this model year. Subaru started to use Legacy bearing to correct the problem; however, it refused, thus far, to admit that it is a design flaw.

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  LOVE my Forester! - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By problemcat13 - September 18 - 11:43 am

  I LOVE my Forester! I put 15k miles a year on it, and I drive it hard! 5 speed and the engine pulls great. I had one problem, the headgasket, but it was covered under the service bulletin/warranty to 100k. I currently have 112k miles and this car is great. I really enjoy it. Reliable, fun, but maybe a little small for a family of four. Stereo/tape was lousy, I replaced it with an OEM 6-CD changer from a Subaru WRX for $100. MPG: if I drive hard (wide open throttle) I get 21.4, if I set cruise at the speed limit, 28.4. AWD uses more gas but is a blast to drive spirited! We miss our other Subaru (95 Legacy) and plan to purchase another when we can. Im so glad I got this vehicle.

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  Wheel bearings forever - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By jimbo54 - August 14 - 9:46 am

  Very pleased with design/concept of vehicle, however have had rear wheel bearings replaced 8 times from 25k thru 166k; have fought Subaru tooth & nail to get them to acknowledge that there might be a design problem; debating buying another Subaru product or switching to Rav 4 in near future (200k)

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  Excellent 99 Forester Keeps on Humming - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By TNC2005 - July 26 - 9:23 pm

  Bought this car as a family car when moving up north to snow country between the Catskills and Adirondacks. Has always performed to expectations. With the right tires -- the original Yoko Geolanders, or the replacement Goodyear Triple Treads -- it grips exceptionally well, handles nimbly, accelerates smoothly and rapidly. My mechanics say its got the bones to reach over 300,000 miles. So far, w/ 119K miles, its on the 4th set of tires and its only needed regularly scheduled maintenance. Still looks and drives like a new car. Unless some dealer comes out with a similar SUV wagon that gets >33 MPG, this car will be maintained and driven as long as possible -- hopefully 14 more years.

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  Overall , satisified - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By mccorky - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Its a great car to have if you live where the weather turns bad in the winter. It handles great, but like any car, ice is ice and AWD does not stop you from sliding. I noticed a difference with snows. I did have a$400 engine repair at 37K, just after my warrenty went (egnition coil??) Other than that, it has run smooth.

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  A solid performer! - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By gplind007 - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Dependable & efficent, it has never failed. New tires and tune-up, also one of the highest passing grades in crash tests by Consumers Report. We bought it for the childrens safety, now we are looking for something larger for a growing family.