MYRModel Year Report

2002 Subaru Forester

▲ Better than typical
2002 Subaru Forester
RENDERED 2026-09-16T19:23:23.150Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Forester Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1998: 101 complaints 1998 1999: 131 complaints 2000: 75 complaints 2001: 139 complaints 2002: 88 complaints 2002 2003: 189 complaints 2004: 219 complaints 2005: 93 complaints 2006: 88 complaints 2006 2007: 72 complaints 2008: 50 complaints 2009: 178 complaints 2010: 262 complaints 2010 2011: 147 complaints 2012: 105 complaints 2013: 77 complaints 2014: 403 complaints 2014 2015: 613 complaints 2016: 411 complaints 2017: 586 complaints 2018: 493 complaints 2018 2019: 832 complaints 2020: 600 complaints 2021: 207 complaints 2022: 98 complaints 2022 2023: 73 complaints 2024: 29 complaints 2025: 93 complaints 2026: 20 complaints 2026
2002: 88 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1998101
1999131
200075
2001139
200288
2003189
2004219
200593
200688
200772
200850
2009178
2010262
2011147
2012105
201377
2014403
2015613
2016411
2017586
2018493
2019832
2020600
2021207
202298
202373
202429
202593
202620

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 26%

26% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHEN PARKING AND BRAKES APPLIED VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. ON 27 JUNE 2002 WHILE PARKING VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, BRAKES WERE APPLIED, AND VEHICLE HIT A POST, CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURY. VEHICLE AT DEALER AT THIS TIME.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020628

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

VEHICLE WAS STANDING WITH MOTOR RUNNING IN DRIVE AND I HAD THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE CAR STARTED SLOWLY MOVING FORWARD. WHEN I PUSHED THE BRAKE FURTHER, THE CAR INCURRED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION FORWARD AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020312

POWER TRAIN 20%

20% of complaints: power train — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

AFTER PURCHASING A 2002 SUBARU FORESTER, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME PRIOR TO NOTICING THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FEEL LOOSE AND UNSTABLE WHILE STEERING, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO ONE SIDE WHILE...

NHTSA ODI report, 20141007

Also filed under STEERING and SUSPENSION

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.

SERVICE BRAKES 11%

11% of complaints: service brakes — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY
AIR BAGS 11%

11% of complaints: air bags — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH WITH AN ELK. BOTH DRVR AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020919

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED OF 30MPH WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FEEL FREE TO ADD/. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020918

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20030108 — power train

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 PL

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 V

Campaign 02V282000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Subaru Forester — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V282000 (power train) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2008 ▲ 2007 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2015 ■ 2020

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Subaru Forester reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Subaru Forester is rated "better than typical".

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

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Subaru Forester have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.