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2002 Subaru Forester Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 88 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Subaru Forester, most often about the speed control (26% of complaints, typically around 62,500 miles). It is 19th of 27 Forester model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2002 Subaru Forester problems
Speed control
23 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
Driver of Forester was stopped at a red light about 10 feet away from car in front. Driver took foot away from brake pedal for a moment and car surged forward on its own. Driver slammed brake pedal to the floor, but Forester continued to surge forward. Driver swerved to try to avoid accident but still clipped bumper…
When parking vehicle in garage, engine revved and car drove forward causing damage to car and garage even though car had been placed into park.
Transmission
16 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 29,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly, driveline.
Car hesitates then lurches forward after pressing the gas pedal. Vehicle then hestiates as if losing power. Had the same probelem in august of 2003 and dealer reset the vehicle's computer and said no problem. Dealer tried to have me pay for a fuel injector cleaning service this time. Car has 29,000 miles. I spoke a…
Transmission hesitates from a dead stop. You depress the accelerator and nothing happens for 2 seconds or so, then the car lurches forward.
Engine
15 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
2002 Subaru Forester hesitates and lurches dangerously as if fuel is not getting to the engine. When pulling on to a street or highway, the vehicle won't pick up speed and creates a safely hazard and potential rear end accidents.
Soa is not being forthcoming about a major defect affecting many of its vehicles. On wednesday july 11, 2007 I spoke to soa and explained my concerns about the chronic leaking head gasket problems on many of your vehicles. I own a 2002 Subaru Forester which was diagnosed with a leaking head gasket in december 2006 and…
Brakes
11 complaints · 13%Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages, foundation components.
2002 Subaru Forester s - dealer claims that northeast climate (salt & wet roads) will corrode disc brakes, causing pads to fail to retract completely and therefor continuously rub on the rotors, heating them and causing warping. Dealer claims brakes should be inspected and cleaned every 15,000 miles. Manufacturer's…
Brake pads are good and most of the time work right. When road is icy or wet and I push the pedal the car starts shuttering, brake lets loose and won't stop the car. I try to let off the pedal and barely push it again and it still won't quit shuttering or stop. If I go to low gear real fast or pull the emergency brake…
Fuel system
11 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 108,000 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system, delivery.
In very cold conditions. When the car is in idol or running it has a very strong gas smell around the engine and in the cabin area. I have heard the wrx and outback models have also have this problem.I was told it is the fuel line hose the connects to the clamp and contracts in severe cold and extracts when it gets…
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.
Air bags
10 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 30,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
My vehicle was broadsided on the left side by another vehicle that failed to stop at a stop sign traveling approximately 30-40 MPH. Damage to the left side of my vehicle extended from the driver's door to the rear left side of the vehicle. The force of the impact spun my vehicle into a tree that damaged the right rear…
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…
Suspension
9 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 162,500 miles. Parts named most often: front.
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…
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…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 6%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.
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
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Subaru Forester recalls
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2002 Subaru Forester
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Subaru Forester?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: speed control (23 complaints, typically around 62,500 miles); transmission (16 complaints, typically around 29,500 miles); engine (15 complaints, typically around 84,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Subaru Forester have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 30, 2002 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Subaru Forester?
- It is 19th of 27 Forester model years by number of complaints, with 88 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.