2002 Subaru Forester recalls and problems

The 2002 Subaru Forester has 1 recall and 88 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is vehicle speed control.

How the 2002 compares

Low

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Low complaint count among 27 Forester model years — 19th most.

1recalls

88complaints

21crashes

1fires

8injuries

90,730median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

1 recall

Power Train

Oct 30, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V282000 · 172,564 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

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.

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Vehicle Speed Control23

Engine15

Unknown or other5

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2002 vs. other Subaru Forester years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2002. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2002 Subaru Forester have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2002 Subaru Forester, the latest from Oct 30, 2002 (power train). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Subaru Forester?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention vehicle speed control (23), power train (16), engine (15). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.