2002 Subaru Forester problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (20) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (8) · Suspension (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Forester model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
50 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (137)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-09-14 · 15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of infotainment concerns. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-08-20 · 15-308-23R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service information bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 137 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-10-26 · Unknown Or Other · 235,000 mi“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…”
2019-03-18 · Unknown Or Other · 161,000 mi“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.…”
2019-02-16 · Suspension · 169,000 mi“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 get it fixed for under $500.…”
2018-06-03 · Suspension · 198,455 mi“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.…”
2017-12-28 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 150,000 mi“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 twice in two different fuel hoses…”
2017-11-30 · Suspension · 162,500 mi“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 stated, was rotted in half, righ…”
2017-09-22 · Suspension · 132,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 subaru forester. the contact stated that the suspension failed. while driving 55 mph, the sound of a tire squealing was heard. the contact was able to maintain control of the steering wheel to drive to a safe location. the contact inspected the vehicle and found that the front passenger tire was bent towards the left, th…”
2017-05-25 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 145,000 mi“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.…”
2017-03-14 · Structure:body · 35,311 mi · 💥 crash“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 polic…”
2015-11-20 · Suspension · 155,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 subaru forester. while driving at 50 mph, the vehicle vibrated and pulled to the right without warning. the contact slowed down and drove to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front lower control arm of the suspension was fractured and needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.