Known Recalls

Model year record

2002 Subaru Forester

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 109 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V282000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
172,564
Reported to NHTSA
2002-10-30
Owners notified
2003-01-08

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 risk

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Vehicle speed control2032,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1321,700 mi
Suspension8162,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling768,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system5150,000 mi
Unknown or other5161,000 mi
Air bags435,311 mi
Air bags: frontal4—
Fuel system, gasoline470,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages3—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system284,000 mi
Power train215,345 mi
Power train: clutch assembly256,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module18,700 mi
Air bags: side/window125,400 mi
Engine1160,823 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine172,607 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings165,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Parking brake1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Service brakes1172,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads138,482 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering1170,701 mi
Structure: body135,311 mi
Structure: body: hood1—
Structure: frame and members1138,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing195,244 mi
Tires1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Wheels1—

The 2001 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.