2002 Subaru Forester: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2002 Subaru Forester
On the 2002 Subaru Forester, the failure owners report most often is other speed control problem, and the reports cluster around 95,000 miles. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 92,500 miles. Overall it scores 69 out of 100, high risk for a 2002.
High risk for a 2002 — 136th riskiest of the 329 2002 vehicles we can rate. 109 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
The failures owners actually file about
Owners have reported 30 named failure modes on the 2002 Subaru Forester, and the three most-reported carry 40% of everything filed.
Other speed control problem leads with 21 reports, about 1.3 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 22k to 105,000 miles.
Other powertrain problem follows with 13 reports, median 20,000 miles.
Other engine problem follows with 10 reports, median 110,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into adas (21), transmission (15) and engine (14).
At what mileage it happens
60 of the reports on the 2002 Subaru Forester came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 92,500 miles.
Cumulatively, 33% by 50,000 miles, 55% by 100,000 miles and 72% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 3 filed above the top of the chart.
The busiest stretch is between 20,000 and 30,000 miles, which alone holds 12% of the dated reports.
28% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 30. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 3 reports came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
Severity, and what it costs
Across the named modes, 22 mention a crash and 5 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 6.40, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other speed control problem at $250–$2,000, other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500, other engine problem at $300–$4,000 and control arm, ball joint or bushing failure at $400–$2,200. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
32% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other speed control problem | adas | 21 | 11 | 22k | 93k | 107k | 1.3 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 13 | 5 | — | 22k | — | 0.8 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other engine problem | engine | 10 | 5 | — | 108k | — | 0.6 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 9 | 9 | 163k | 171k | 198k | 0.6 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 8 | 6 | — | 129k | — | 0.5 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 4 | 1 | — | 38k | — | 0.3 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Head gasket failure | engine | 3 | 3 | — | 84k | — | 0.2 | $1,400–$4,000 | Critical |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| CV axle or driveshaft failure | drivetrain | 2 | 2 | — | 151k | — | 0.1 | $450–$2,200 | High |
| Differential or transfer case failure | drivetrain | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $900–$4,200 | High |
| Fuel leak or fuel odor | fuel | 2 | 2 | — | 95k | — | 0.1 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 2 | 1 | — | 20k | — | 0.1 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 2 | 1 | — | 35k | — | 0.1 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Engine bay fire | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 50k | — | 0.1 | $4,000–$20,000 | Critical |
| Overheating | cooling | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Harsh or jerky shifting | transmission | 1 | 1 | — | 12k | — | 0.1 | $600–$4,000 | Moderate |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 1 | 1 | — | 56k | — | 0.1 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| Wheel bearing or hub failure | drivetrain | 1 | 1 | — | 95k | — | 0.1 | $350–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Fuel injector failure | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 30k | — | 0.1 | $450–$2,800 | Moderate |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 70k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 1 | 1 | — | 9k | — | 0.1 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Master cylinder or brake booster failure | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $450–$2,200 | Critical |
| Brake line, hose or caliper failure | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,600 | Critical |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 1 | 1 | — | 173k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 1 | 1 | — | 63k | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Rust or structural corrosion | body | 1 | 1 | — | 138k | — | 0.1 | $500–$6,000 | High |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 1 | 1 | — | 100k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Unclassified problem | other | 9 | 3 | — | 35k | — | 0.6 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2002 Subaru Forester draws about 6.9 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 84th percentile of complaint rates among 2002 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 15,687 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2002 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other speed control problem
The vehicle was parked and idling before the consumer got in the vehicle and shifts it into reverse while the foot were on the brake pedal. The vehicle commences to accelerate and lurch backward and ran into the entrance of the drug store. Consumer shift the vehicle into drive and the vehicle took off again and hit a metal pole. No injuries was reported and both the driver and the passenger were restrained in their seat belts. The vehicle was tow to a repair shop. The dealer was notified and pick up the vehicle from the repair shop. *nm
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 of car in front and caused damage. Forester continued to surge and buck forward for another moment before finally stopping (driver's foot had remained firmly on brake the entire time). I took the vehicle to the dealer I had bought it from just two weeks ago, but they claimed they had never heard of this happening in a subaru and refused to even investigate if there was a mechanical error that would be under warranty because of legal fears. They implied the accident was my fault and I was looking to blame them. Despite minor damage, the car was still drivable, yet I had it towed to the dealer because I was scared of driving it ever again. I was lucky I only hit another car's bumper-- it could've been a bicyclist or pedestrian who was struck! My insurance company is investigating the claim at this point, but I refuse to…
Other powertrain problem
On the green traffic signal I accelerated and the car surged into the vehicle in front of me. I jammed my foot on the brake and threw the shift into park when the car stopped, then with my foot on the brake and shift in park, the car surged in reverse hitting the car behind me. I previously experienced surging twice before this. My 2002 subaru forrester was recalled for the parking rod replacedment in april 2003.*ak
On the green traffic signal I accelerated and the car surged into the vehicle in front of me. I jammed my foot on the brake and threw the shift into park when the car stopped, then with my foot on the brake and shift in park, the car surged in reverse hitting the car behind me. I previously experienced surging twice before this. My 2002 subaru forrester was recalled for the parking rod replacedment in april 2003.*ak
Other engine problem
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
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
Recalls on the 2002 model year
NHTSA has issued 1 recall campaign covering the 2002 Subaru Forester, affecting an estimated 15,687 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover power train:automatic transmission. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
172,564 vehicles 2002-10-30- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2002 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
How 2002 compares with the other years
High risk for a 2002 — 136th riskiest of the 329 2002 vehicles we can rate. The comparison is always within the same model year, so an older car is never penalised for having had longer to break.
Across the 29 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2000 comes out best at 61 and 2024 worst at 83, with 2002 itself at 69.
If the model year is negotiable, 2000, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2008, 2007, 2001 and 2026 score lower than 2002 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 1998–2004 generation specifically, 2000 is the strongest year at 61 and 2003 the weakest at 69.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 1998-2004 generation, 2000 Subaru Forester scores best at 61 and 2003 Subaru Forester worst at 69.
What the numbers say to check
The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other speed control problem from about 22k and control arm, ball joint or bushing failure from about 163k.
On a 2002 Subaru Forester with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other speed control problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.
Treat it as where to point the inspection, not as a prediction. A well-maintained example can sail past every mileage on this page, and a neglected one can fail well before the first of them.
Where these figures stop being useful
109 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 109 reports, 60 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 55% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Subaru Forester?
The most-reported failures are other speed control problem (21 reports, median 95,000 miles), other powertrain problem (13 reports, median 20,000 miles) and other engine problem (10 reports, median 110,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
At what mileage do 2002 Subaru Forester problems start?
Other speed control problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 95,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 20,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 92,500 miles.
Is the 2002 Subaru Forester reliable?
It scores 69 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 136th riskiest of the 329 2002 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2002 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Subaru Forester is best?
Within the 1998–2004 generation, 2000 scores best at 61 out of 100 and 2003 worst at 69. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed