One problem related to transmission not engage has been reported for the 2000 Subaru Forester. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2000 Subaru Forester based on all problems reported for the 2000 Forester.
I have an ongoing problem with my 2000 Subaru Forester. Off and on, since 2007, the car will not immediately engage when shifting into drive. I first noticed the problem when I would shift from reverse to drive. While in drive, with my foot on the accelerator, the car would not move. At first the delay was only a couple of seconds. And it would occur only after I had driven a few feet in reverse and then shifted into drive. Now, however, the delay is much longer and it can happen even when I have not driven in reverse. The car will not move. The only gear in which the car will move is in reverse. So far, the car eventually does move, but I never know how long it will take. Early on, I couldn't detect a pattern in which this would occur. Lately, though, it seems to happen after I have driven the car at least twice during the day, turned it off each time and then restarted the car after it has sat awhile. When I start the car again, the car will not respond as it should. Today, for example, on my third errand of the day, the car would not move when I shifted into drive. So, I turned it off and on a few times, put my foot on the accelerator (and the brake) each time I turned it on, but the car would not engage. It finally did after about 10 minutes. The first time I took the car to the dealer in 2007, I was told they could not replicate the problem. (I didn't notice a pattern then). The next time I reported it to the dealer, I was told the transmission fluid was low and the filter needed to be replaced. However, as this has occurred even when the transmission fluid was not low, I don't see how this could be the problem. A search on the internet indicates that several people with Subaru Foresters (primarily 1999 and 2000) have reported the same problem. Although my car is several years old, I have fewer than 45,000 miles on it. I have not yet had any dire consequences because of this problem, but I believe this is literally an accident waiting to happen. Please help.