NHTSA vehicle safety data
2002 Subaru Forester Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2002 Subaru Forester has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 88 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Subaru dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Subaru Forester, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2002 Subaru Forester owner complaints
Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Subaru Forester, describing incidents dated June 30, 2001 to October 25, 2019.
Most-cited components
- Vehicle Speed Control 23 complaints
- Power Train 16 complaints
- Engine 15 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 11 complaints
- Air Bags 10 complaints
- Service Brakes 10 complaints
Of the 88 complaints on file, 21 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 88 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11271255 · Filed
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
ODI #11189798 · Filed
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.
ODI #11180437 · Filed
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…
SUBARU/TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD
NHTSA #02V282000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice
Reported October 30, 2002 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Potentially affected: 172,564 vehicles
Subaru campaign WWK-94 · Owners notified January 8, 2003 · Vehicles built June 1, 2001 – September 30, 2002 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Subaru Forester model years
Check your 2002 Subaru Forester VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Subaru Forester at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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