Does the 2002 Subaru Forester have any recalls?

1 recall found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: power train. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 2002 Subaru Forester recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Subaru dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2002 Subaru Forester?

88 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

2002 Subaru Forester recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

1 recall found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 2002 Subaru Forester. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Subaru been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Subaru dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

2002 Subaru Forester recalls, newest first

October 30, 2002NHTSA 02V282000172,564 vehicles potentially affected

Power train › Automatic transmission

Summary: 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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 88 complaints about the 2002 Subaru Forester with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 21
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 8
Deaths reported: 0

Most complained-about components

Vehicle speed control20
Power train › Automatic transmission13
Service brakes10
Suspension8
Engine and engine cooling7

Other 2002 Subaru models

Most recalled 2002 vehicles

2002 Honda Civic (24 recalls)
2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee (16 recalls)
2002 Honda Accord (16 recalls)
2002 Honda CR-V (16 recalls)
2002 Chevrolet Silverado (15 recalls)

All of 2002’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2002 Subaru Forester have any recalls?: 1 recall found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: power train. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 2002 Subaru Forester recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Subaru dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2002 Subaru Forester?: 88 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.