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2002 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Subaru Forester do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 131.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

50 reports with mileage · 38 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Structure complaints

3 reports
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35,311 miles · Mar 14, 2017
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

6/15/2009 I WAS HEADED HOME AT A RATE OF ~20-25 MPH ON PISGAH CHURCH RD AS I WAS APPROACHING WHERE I TURN RIGHT ONTO LAWNDALE AVE AND I REAR ENDED A VEHICLE WHICH WAS PUSHED FORWARD REAR ENDING A 2ND VEHICLE TO THE TUNE OF $16,183.57 ERIE INSURANCE CHARGE (CLAIM # 010910179459) AND 3 NASTY POINTS. I WAS UNINJURED AND CONTACTED …

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6/15/2009 I WAS HEADED HOME AT A RATE OF ~20-25 MPH ON PISGAH CHURCH RD AS I WAS APPROACHING WHERE I TURN RIGHT ONTO LAWNDALE AVE AND I REAR ENDED A VEHICLE WHICH WAS PUSHED FORWARD REAR ENDING A 2ND VEHICLE TO THE TUNE OF $16,183.57 ERIE INSURANCE CHARGE (CLAIM # 010910179459) AND 3 NASTY POINTS. I WAS UNINJURED AND CONTACTED THE GREENSBORO POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE ARRIVING OFFICER AND THE GREENSBORO FIRE DEPT BOTH EXPRESSED SURPRISE THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT OPERATE. I'M A NURSE & WAS COMING HOME FROM WORKING THE NIGHT SHIFT. THE POLICE OFFICER TOLD ME "I'M NOT GOING TO WRITE YOU A TICKET (A PROFESSIONAL COURTESY, I THINK) BECAUSE YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY IS GOING TO REAM YOU."

NHTSA ODI #10965799

138,000 miles · May 14, 2010
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR STATE INSPECTION AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT PASS DUE TO EXTREME FRAME RUST AND CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PRIMARILY HOUSED IN PENNSYLVANIA, A SALT BELT STATE, THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THE MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR STATE INSPECTION AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT PASS DUE TO EXTREME FRAME RUST AND CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PRIMARILY HOUSED IN PENNSYLVANIA, A SALT BELT STATE, THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 138,000.

NHTSA ODI #10330473

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2001
Structure

HOOD IS TOO HIGH AND ALLOWS WATER TO RUN ONTO ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #898025

Official recalls

1

02V282000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 30, 2002

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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