RoadVitals

2002 Subaru Forester

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
88
Latest Oct 26, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Oct 30, 2002
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
22
8 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 88 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Subaru Forester, most frequently naming the driver assistance, engine and transmission categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 128 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
02V282000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Oct 30, 2002
172,564 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "P" (PARK) POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM, THAT IS INTENDED TO HOLD YOUR VEHICLE, MAY NOT ENGAGE.
The risk: THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION JANUARY 8, 2003. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.Manufacturer number WWK-94View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 88
Suspension
Filed Oct 26, 2019

I WAS DRIVING I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM ONE ROAD TO ANOTHER AND I HIT A SLIGHT BUMP AND THEN THE WHOLE THING STARTS SWAYING ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT MY REAR SUBFRAME COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT AND DETACHED ITSELF FROM THE CAR DUE TO THE RUST AND THE BREAKING OF THE SUBFRAME IN THE REAR

NHTSA ID
11271255
Incident
Oct 25, 2019
Mileage
235,000 mi
Filed Mar 18, 2019

THE SUBFRAME COMPLETELY FELL OFF MY CAR. THIS IS MY SECOND SUBARU IS HAS HAPPENED TO I HAD TO SCRAP THE FIRST ONE. I DIDN'T NOTICE IT TILL I CAME HOME, I CHECKED IT BECAUSE IT WAS DRIVING FUNNY.

NHTSA ID
11189798
Incident
Mar 15, 2019
Mileage
161,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 16, 2019

WAS LUCKILY ONLY TRAVELING AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED. GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO DISCOVER THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL CORRECTLY POINTED STRAIGHT AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL POINTED INWARD. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTROL HAD WITHOUT WARNING SNAPPED IN HALF TAKING THE CV AXLE AND STABILIZER LINKAGE WITH IT. HOPING TO GET IT FIXED FOR UNDER $500.

NHTSA ID
11180437
Incident
Feb 15, 2019
Mileage
169,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 3, 2018

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 1 MILE FROM MY HOME WHEN THE CONTROL ARM SUDDENLY FAILED SENDING MY CAR VEERING ACROSS THE ROAD ALMOST HITTING ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID
11099423
Incident
Jun 3, 2018
Mileage
198,455 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 28, 2017

FUEL LINES IN ENGINE LEAK IN COLD WEATHER. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD THAT I AND MULTIPLE OTHER SUBARU OWNERS THAT I KNOW HAVE HAD OCCURRING AND RECURRING. I CALLED SUBARU AND THEY WERE UNINTERESTED IN ISSUING A SAFETY RECALL DESPITE THE EXTREME HAZARD LEAKING GASOLINE IN THE ENGINE POSES. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED TO ME TWICE IN TWO DIFFERENT FUEL HOSES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.

NHTSA ID
11057152
Incident
Dec 28, 2017
Mileage
150,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 30, 2017

PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE AFTER BEING AT BANK AND HEARD A HUGE CLUNK. GENTLEMAN RAN UP TO ME AND SAID NOT TO MOVE IT. GOT OUT AND LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS ABOUT LAYING FLAT ON GROUND. HAD BROTHER BRING TOW DOLLY AND THEN TOOK IT APART. ENDED UP SPENDING 600 JUST ON PARTS AS THE CONTROL ARMS WERE ROTTED HORRIBLY. LEFT ONE AS STATED, WAS ROTTED IN HALF, RIGHT WAS IN SUCH BAD SHAPE MY BROTHER SAID IT WOULD NOT BE SAFE IF NOT REPLACED ALSO. SO 600.00 LATER AND NOW I HAVE IT AT KOCUR KREW AND WILL HAVE ANOTHER 750.00 BILL AS THE SUBFRAME AND CRADEL ASSEMBLY ARE ROTTED BAD. LIKE WOW ALL IN 2.5 MONTHS. I THINK I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AS I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE TO OHIO NUMEROUS TIMES IN LAST 1.5 YEARS.

NHTSA ID
11051583
Incident
Sep 15, 2017
Mileage
162,500 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 22, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SOUND OF A TIRE SQUEALING WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO DRIVE TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS BENT TOWARDS THE LEFT, THE CV JOINT AND TRANSAXLE WERE DAMAGED, AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN AUTO GARAGE FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000. UPDATED 11/07/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR JERKED VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT(INSTANTLY SENDING US INTO THE LEFT-HAND LANE) WITH A SIMULTANEOUS SCREAMING LOUD SQUEALING TIRE SOUND. LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD SNAPPED, AND WHILE THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS POINTED STRAIGHT AHEAD, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS STEERING LEFT AR APPROXIMATELY A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. THERE IS CORROSION WHERE BRACKET FRACTURED. UPDATED 7/20/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ID
11025030
Incident
Sep 20, 2017
Mileage
132,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 25, 2017

TAKATA RECALL MY CAR HAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WHEN WALKING UP TO THE CAR AFTER IT HAS SAT AND IT IS EVEN STRONGER WHEN YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF AFTER DRIVING. IN THE WARMER WEATHER THE SMELL HAS INCREASED.

NHTSA ID
10991698
Incident
May 25, 2017
Mileage
145,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SubaruNet Annoucement (E

This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.

01-167-08R

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

SubaruNet Announcement (R

POWER TRAIN

This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

07-240-26R

This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20.

03-97-26

POWER TRAIN

This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.

01-167-08R

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru Forester by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026143050.5
2025873062.7
2024282055.0
2023731053.0
2022951050.3
20212070043.8
20205950038.0
20198313049.4
20184913155.8
20175811151.8
20164093159.7
20156133053.6
20144032052.4
20137712058.1
201210515058.3
201114716057.3
201026217054.7
200917818056.0
2008501148.1
2007721147.8
2006882156.3
2005931148.8
20042192152.6
20031893155.0
2002Viewing881047.9
20011390043.3
2000750039.0
19991311143.3
19981011044.6
1997000—
1996000—
1995000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.