2002 Subaru Forester: common problems and reliability

The 2002 Subaru Forester has 93 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are vehicle speed control and power train. Owners most often flag cvt transmission longevity concerns — concerns about long-term reliability beyond 100,000 miles, with strong owner consensus recommending proactive fluid changes every 30,000-60,000 miles despite some manufacturer guidance. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2002 model year

93
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
22
Crash reports
1
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Subaru Forester vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

vehicle speed control
24
power train
17
engine and engine cooling
17
air bags
10
service brakes
10

Recalls affecting the 2002 Forester

power train:automatic transmission

Campaign 02V282000

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) …

What owners say across generations

Overwhelmingly positive sentiment across multiple generations, with the Forester consistently praised for its practicality, safety, all-weather capability, and long-term reliability when properly maintained. Owners express deep satisfaction with the vehicle's

  • CVT transmission longevity concerns — Concerns about long-term reliability beyond 100,000 miles, with strong owner consensus recommending proactive fluid changes every 30,000-60,000 miles despite some manufacturer guidance. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Infotainment system glitches — Occasional screen freezes, slow response, or connectivity issues. Noted as an annoyance but not a dealbreaker. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Windshield/glass cracking — Described as an "Achilles' heel"; prone to cracks and chips, necessitating comprehensive glass insurance. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Front control arm bushing wear — Bushings reported to fail relatively early, sometimes between 60,000-100,000 miles, affecting ride quality. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Oil consumption — Some models, particularly older generations, noted to consume more oil than average, requiring monitoring between changes. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Forester.

Typical used price

Used Forester listings typically run $14,131–$28,173 across 2012 to 2026 model years.

Other Forester model years

2025 Forester2024 Forester2021 Forester2018 Forester2016 Forester2012 Forester2011 Forester2010 Forester2007 Forester2005 Forester1998 Forester
Full Subaru Forester owner reportCompare against another car