Two problems related to cruise control have been reported for the 2001 Subaru Forester. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2001 Subaru Forester based on all problems reported for the 2001 Forester.
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.
Inquiry as to why the 2001 Subaru legacy cruise control recall didn't apply to the forrester. Consumer experienced the similar problem stated on recall on Subaru legacy.