2002 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 92 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 22 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 30, 2002
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 VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 02V282000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling
17 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 23, 2014
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 WARM THEN SEALS ITS SELF TO THE CLAMP. I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH SUBARU AND IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND POSSIBLE RECALL ON THE OLDER MODELS IF IT HAS BEEN CORRECTED WITH NEWER MODELS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2010
INTERMITTENT ENGINE SURGING AND/LOSS OF POWER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 5, 2009
DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 15, 2007
IN THE LAST WEEK, MY HEATER STARTED WORKING SPORADICALLY, PUTTING OUT COOL AIR AND HOT AIR INTERMITTENTLY. THEN MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED CLIMBING QUICKLY TO THE HOT END. I TURNED MY HEATER ON FULL-BLAST TO COOL DOWN THE ENGINE AND THIS WORKED FOR ABOUT A MILE, THEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP IN THE RED. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, LET THE ENGINE COOL, AND ADDED COOLANT (IT WAS SLIGHTLY LOW, BUT NOT THAT LOW). THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE WHEN THE HEATER WAS ON ALL THE WAY, SO WE LOOKED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SAW THERE WAS A LEAK. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS AN "EXTERNAL COOLANT LEAK FROM THE HEAD GASKET" JUST LIKE IN THE COURTESY RECALL OF THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR. HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED SUBARU, IT WAS FOR "PHASE 1" ENGINES ONLY, AND MINE WAS A "PHASE 2" ENGINE, THEREFORE MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE SAME RECALL. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED EVERY 3,000 TO 5,000 MILES. THE PREVIOUS OWNER KEPT A LOG OF ALL THE WORK ON THE CAR IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, AND HE TOO, HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE FOR IT NOT TO BE A FAULTY PART, LIKE IN THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT WITH THE PHASE 1 ENGINE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF OTHER 2002 SUBARU FORRESTERS, WITH A PHASE 2 ENGINE, HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND IF SO, WHAT SUBARU IS GOING TO DO TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM? MY CAR IS FIVE YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 85,000 MILES ON IT, AND IT HAS BEEN SERVICED AT THE RECOMMENDED TIMES. IT SHOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM THIS MAJOR ($2,500 TO FIX!) GIVEN THESE FACTS UNLESS IT WAS A FAULTY SYSTEM TO BEGIN WITH! *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 15, 2007
EXTERNAL COOLANT LEAK DUE TO FAILURE OF HEAD GASKETS IN ENGINE ON A 2002 SUBARU FORESTER WITH 50,000 MILES. RESULTS IN COOLANT DRIPPING ONTO EXHAUST SYSTEM AND OTHER COMPONENTS RESULTING IN STRONG ODOR. ALSO CREATES POSSIBILITY OF LOW COOLANT CAUSING OVERHEATING, ENGINE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO SUBARU HOWEVER, THE ONLY RECOMMENDATION OFFERED IS TO ADD A SEALER TO THE RADIATOR COOLANT. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL MECHANICS I HAVE CONSULTED, THIS WILL RESULT IN CLOGGING OF THE RADIATOR AND HEATER CORE PASSAGES FURTHER CAUSING OVERHEATING PROBLEMS. THE ONLY FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM IS REPLACEMENT OF THE HEAD GASKETS SOMETHING SUBARU REFUSES TO DO. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 12, 2007
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 68000 MILES BY A TEAPE SUBARU TECHNICIAN IN ARLINGTON TX. THIS REPAIR WOULD COST $1900.00. AS I HAD TO SAVE UP THE MONEY I DID NOT GET THE WORK DONE UNTIL 07/10/07 AT 75,000 MILES. I CONSIDERED THIS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. HAD SOA BROUGHT ME IN FOR A REPAIR I MIGHT HAVE AVOIDED THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. MY CAR COULD EASILY HAVE OVERHEATED, RESULTING IN AN INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. RESEARCH REVEALED THAT THIS WAS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES THAT FREQUENTLY OCCURRED AGAIN AFTER BEING REPAIRED/REPLACED. SOA'S REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT NOT ONLY WAS MY VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR IT. HE DID, HOWEVER, GIVE ME A CASE #1017178. SUBARU NEEDED TO STEP UP AND HANDLE THIS PROBLEM. I AM ENCOURAGING YOU TO MAKE THEM DO THAT. THE FINAL COST FOR MY GASKET REPLACEMENT WORK WAS 1725.42. I AM MAILING SOA AN ITEMIZED LIST OF PARTS AND LABOR ALONG WITH MY PAID RECEIPT, AND I WANT A FULL REFUND FOR THIS WORK WHICH INCLUDED THE LABOR. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 20, 2006
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. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 14, 2005
ON THREE OCCASIONS WHEN PLACING MY 2002 SUBARU FORESTER IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE HAS BEGUN TO RACE UNCONTROLLABLY. IN EACH INSTANCE, BECAUSE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND AVOID A CRASH. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Apr 21, 2004
ON MARCH 4, 2004, WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 SUBARU FORRESTER, I SMELLED AN AWFUL SMELL AND THE EMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. CAR WAS TOWED TO PALM SUBARU, GAINESVILLE FLORIDA, @ 4:30 PM. PALM HAS PERFOMED ALL PRIOR SERVICES ON THIS CAR INCLUDING OIL CHANGES. PALM COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM THAT DAY AND DIRECTED ME TO GATRO LEASING, WITHIN THEIR BUILDING, FOR A RENTAL. I DID NOT PROVIDE A CREDIT CARD FOR THE RENTAL WHICH I HAD FOR ABOUT 16 HOURS AND DROVE ABOUT 20 MILES. ON MARCH 5, I WAS TOLD THAT THE OIL FILTER WAS FAULTY I HAD NOT TIGHTENED THE GAS CAP AND THAT IS WHY THE EMISSION LIGHT WAS ON. NOW I AM BEING ASKED TO PAY THE $22.00 FOR THE RENTAL. I DON'T THINK THIS IS FAR SINCE PALM INSTALLED THE FAULTY OIL FILTER.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 23, 2002
WHEN THE CONSUMER DEPRESSES THE FUEL PEDAL THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND SOMETIMES STALL, THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM SEVERAL TIME BUT NO REMEDY HAS BEEN FOUND. NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 22, 2002
CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE STARTED HESITATING DURING ACCELERATION FROM A COMPLETE STOP, HESITATION OCCURS ONE SECOND TO A FEW SECONDS AFTER ACCELERATION AND CAN LAT APPROXIMATELY THREE SECONDS. SINCE THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING WITH THE HESITATION, THE TRANSMISSION NOW SHIFTS WITH A SLIGHT THUMP TO A LOUD BANG, DURING ACCELERATION THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MISSES A SHIFT AND GOES INTO NEUTRAL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO INSTANTLY OVER SPEED TO 2,000 RPM'S THE TRANSMISSION SEARCHES FOR DIFFERENT GEARS WHILE GENTLY ACCELERATING, ON 2 OCCASIONS THE DEALER HAS REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER MODIFICATIONS WHICH HAS MADE THE PROBLEMS LESS INTENSE, BUT STILL EXISTS. *JB *SCC
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING; HESITATED(SEVERE) ON ACCELERATION (ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD/EVEN AFTER WARMED UP), THERE'S A WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE ROOF/ROOF RACK-AND HAPPENS AT SPEEDS OVER 20 MPH/VERY NOISY, A CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE-MOSTLY WHEN MAKING TURNS, BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY(MAYBE THE STRUT), STALLING, AND WOULD SIT FOR1-2 HOURS, THEN WOULD START WITH DIFFICULTY, RUNS ROUGH FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN IS FINE. THE DEALER SUGGESTS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WITHIN THE SPECIFICATIONS. (THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES) SCC
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 27, 2002
CONSUMER EXPERIENCES VEHICLE STALLING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 8, 2002
ONCE WARMED UP, THE VECHICLE IDLES VERY LOW AT 300-400 RPM'S AND STALLS OUT. *MJ
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 16, 2002
INTERMITENT BACKFIRE AFTER SHIFTING ON MANUAL TRANSMISSION FORESTERS. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, CONFIRMED THAT ENGINE BACKFIRES BUT SAID BACKFIRING WAS NOT A PROBLEM, HENCE NO FIX WAS NECCESSARY AND NON WOULD BE PROVIDED. HOW MANY OF YOU OUT THERE CONSIDER BA. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 30, 2002
VEHICLE DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY START UP. DEALER HAS REPLACED ECM BOX, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS OVERHEATED AND SEIZED UP.*MJ
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 2, 2001
VEHICLE STALLS WHILES DRIVING AND DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART. DEALER CAN NOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM WITH CAR. THE CAR HAS STALLED REPEATEDLY, AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN OUR POSSESSION, AND SEVERAL TIMES WHILE IN THE DEALER'S POSSESSION.