Does the 2002 Subaru Forester have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Subaru Forester, the most recent reported on October 30, 2002 (Power train: automatic transmission). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is vehicle speed control (23 complaints), followed by power train (16).

How many 2002 Subaru Forester complaints mention a crash or fire?

21 of 88 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 8 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2002 Subaru Forester recalls and problems

1 recall and 88 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Subaru Forester.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Subaru Forester recalls

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 02V282000 · reported October 30, 2002 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · 172,564 vehicles potentially affected

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

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Vehicle speed control23
Power train16
Engine and engine cooling14
Air bags10
Service brakes, hydraulic9
Suspension9
Fuel system, gasoline6
Fuel/propulsion system5
Unknown or other5
Structure3

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 26, 2019 · Suspension · 235,000 miles
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

Mar 18, 2019 · Unknown or other · 161,000 miles
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.

Feb 16, 2019 · Suspension · 169,000 miles
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…

Jun 3, 2018 · Suspension · 198,455 miles
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.

Dec 28, 2017 · Fuel/propulsion system · 150,000 miles
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…

Forester model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	0	75	7	0
2001	0	139	31	0
2002	1	88	21	1
2003	3	189	17	0
2004	2	219	13	4
2005	1	93	15	1

Across all years, the 2019 Forester has the most complaints (834). All Subaru Forester years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Subaru Forester have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Subaru Forester, the most recent reported on October 30, 2002 (Power train: automatic transmission). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Subaru Forester?: Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is vehicle speed control (23 complaints), followed by power train (16).
How many 2002 Subaru Forester complaints mention a crash or fire?: 21 of 88 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 8 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 26, 2019.