1999 Subaru forester S
JF1SF6553XH702300
Vehicle history report for the 1999 Subaru forester (VIN JF1SF6553XH702300). Blue. Title: Clean. 242,400 mi reported. Registered in Or. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
![1999 Subaru forester S, Blue, Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] — representative vehicle photo for VIN JF1SF6553XH702300](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/1998-1999_Subaru_Forester_%28SF5_MY99%29_GT_wagon_%282009-01-31%29_01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=original)
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
🧾 Window sticker / build sheet → All 1999 Subaru forester data →
MPG & running costs
Official U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 1999 Subaru forester.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. EPA estimates for this year/make/model; actual mileage varies by trim and driving conditions.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1999 Subaru forester costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN JF1SF6553XH702300
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). (THE 1999 2.2 LITER LEGACY VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED). IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.
NHTSA Campaign #99V040000 · 03/03/1999We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 141 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Subaru forester, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 1 involved a crash
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 141
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1999 Subaru forester.
ENGINE
(PARTIAL COPY OF MESSAGE I SENT TO SUBARU EARLIER THIS WEEK.) [MY] FORESTER IS OLD, BUT I WOULDN'T BE REPLACING IT IF I DIDN'T NEED ANOTHER HEAD GASKET. YOU SURELY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM YOUR 4 CYL. ENGINES HAVE HAD WITH FAILING HEAD GASKETS. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS THE SECOND ONE EXPERIENCING SUCH FAILURE. I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL ONE SEVERAL YEARS B…
NHTSA ODI #11311985SERVICE BRAKES
WHY IS THE BRAKE LINE CORROSION RECALL WQK-47 ONLY FOR 2009-2013 FORESTERS? I OWN A 1999 FORESTER WHICH HAS JUST HAD A CATASTROPHIC BRAKE LINE FAILURE THAT IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINES IS IN THE AREA OF THE JUNCTION BLOCK THAT IS LOCATED UNDER THE CAR BEHIND THE AREA OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT SEEMS T…
NHTSA ODI #11230370ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU FORESTER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MIL…
NHTSA ODI #10970496POWER TRAIN
AS OTHERS HAVE STATED HERE AND MANY MORE FROM VARIOUS SUBARU FORUMS, I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE ISSUE (IT ACTS AS IF IT'S IN NEUTRAL) WITH THE AT. IT CAN TAKE SEVERAL SECONDS TO SEVERAL MINUTES (AND SOMETIMES LONGER OR NOT AT ALL) BEFORE IT ENGAGES. I USUALLY HAVE TO REV/PUMP THE ACCELERATOR UNTIL IT CORRECTS ITSELF. ONCE I'M IN DRIVE ALL…
NHTSA ODI #10871310POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THERE ARE DAYS WHERE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO DRIVE. IT GOES IN REVERSE BUT STILL NOT ENGAGE THE DRIVE GEAR. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK OF THE VEHICLE SITTING AND NOT BEING TURNED ON IT WILL ENGAGE AND WORK FINE. BUT WILL DO IT AGAIN A FEW WEEKS TO A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER.
NHTSA ODI #10717441ENGINE
NOTE: BELOW IS AN EXTRACT FROM A MESSAGE I SENT TO AN ATTORNEY IN WISCONSIN IN 2011 REGARDING THE PROBLEMS I WAS HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE HAD THE COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEM REPAIRED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. NOTE ALSO: I SEE WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A RECENT ENTRY FOR PENDING DEALER REPAIRS ON A HONDA CIVIC (I THINK) …
NHTSA ODI #10662895TIRES
IN ONE MONTHS TIME WE HAVE HAD 4 SEPARATE COOPER WEATHERMASTER S/T2 205/70R15 TIRES HAVE SIDEWALL FAILURE. THESE ARE SNOW TIRES USED ONLY DURING WINTER MONTHS. 3 OF THE 4 TIRES WERE PURCHASED FOR THE 2010/11 WINTER, AND HAD LESS THAN 5000 MILES ON THEM, THE 4TH WAS NEW WITH ABOUT 100 MILES ON IT WHEN IT FAILED. 1ST BLOWOUT) DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OU…
NHTSA ODI #10489109POWER TRAIN
199 SUBARU FORESTER. LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN SARBANES ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT WITH CONCERNS ABOUT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH SUBARU VEHICLES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PUT THE GEAR INTO DRIVE. A MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE FAILURE WAS WITH THE CLUTCH. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH ONLY A 119,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10351029+ 133 more complaints on record.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I find out who owns this vehicle from the VIN?
No — and no legitimate service can. Linking a VIN or plate to a named owner is restricted by the U.S. Driver's Privacy Protection Act, the EU GDPR and equivalent laws. CarLogs shows the vehicle only — specs, recalls, problems and value — never the person.
Is the VIN JF1SF6553XH702300 valid?
JF1SF6553XH702300 is a structurally valid 17-character VIN with a correct ISO 3779 check digit, assigned to a manufacturer in Japan. It decodes to the 1999 Subaru forester.
Does the 1999 Subaru forester have any open safety recalls?
Yes — 1 open NHTSA safety recall is on record for the 1999 Subaru forester. Recall repairs are carried out free by any franchised dealer; see the recall details above.
What fuel economy does the 1999 Subaru forester get?
The U.S. EPA rates the 1999 Subaru forester at about 21 mpg combined (19 city / 25 highway).
Data last checked 22 Sep 2026 · Sources: NHTSA (recalls & complaints), U.S. EPA (fuel economy), NHTSA vPIC (specifications). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.