The vehicle dossier US · 2002

2002 Subaru
FORESTERProblems & recalls

88 distinct owner reports in the NHTSA snapshot. Other components appears in 31 of them. Explore what was reported—and which official actions are on file.

Snapshot Sep 28, 2026Live NHTSA complaint API How this dossier is compiled

01 / Owner-reported evidence

What owners reported.

Categories attached to 88 distinct reports. A report can mention more than one component, so category totals can overlap.

Other components31 reports
Transmission & drivetrain16 reports
Engine15 reports
Fuel system11 reports
Brakes10 reports
Air bags10 reports
Suspension9 reports
Body & structure3 reports
Visibility1 reports
Steering1 reports
See original component labels
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL20
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION13
SUSPENSION8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL4
AIR BAGS4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL3
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY2
POWER TRAIN2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM2
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD1
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR1
WHEELS1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM1
PARKING BRAKE1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS1
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1
TIRES1
SERVICE BRAKES1
STEERING1
ENGINE1
STRUCTURE:BODY1

These are reports made to NHTSA, not verified diagnoses. More reports can reflect more vehicles, more time on the road, or greater reporting activity.

The reporting timeline

When reports arrived.

Reports by year filed, not by the year a problem occurred. Showing the latest 15 years with reports.

Year filed (last two digits)Latest report: Oct 26, 2019
Mileage, where supplied

87,365 miles is the median among 50 reports with usable mileage. The middle half spans 32,000–145,000 miles.

This describes the submitted reports. It does not predict when a vehicle will fail.

02 / Official safety campaigns

1 recall campaign on file.

A campaign can cover only certain production dates or configurations. The count does not tell you whether an individual car has an open recall.

Oct 30, 2002 Safety recallPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONCampaign 02V282000

Reported concern

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.

Manufacturer’s stated response

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.

Manufacturer campaign: WWK-94

Read campaign 02V282000 at NHTSA
Check this car’s VIN at NHTSA

03 / The manufacturer’s record

Instructions. Updates. Responses.

132 distinct communications list this model-year. Showing the latest 12. A matching model-year does not establish that every engine, trim or reported symptom is covered.

Aug 20, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions15-308-23RThis Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent …NHTSA ID 11036807

This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.This is an revised version of the original bulletin.

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11036807 at NHTSA
Aug 13, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions15-304-22RThis Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)NHTSA ID 11036796

This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11036796 at NHTSA
Aug 5, 2026 OtherArticle LocatorTechtips newsletter locator index.NHTSA ID 11036794

Techtips newsletter locator index.

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11036794 at NHTSA
Aug 1, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions15-333-25RThis bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletinNHTSA ID 11036789

This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11036789 at NHTSA
Jun 12, 2026 OtherSubaruNet Annoucement (EThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.NHTSA ID 11034249

This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.

Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11034249 at NHTSA
May 18, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions01-167-08RThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.NHTSA ID 11033069

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11033069 at NHTSA
May 4, 2026 OtherSubaruNet Announcement (RThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.NHTSA ID 11033056

This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

Components: POWER TRAIN. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11033056 at NHTSA
Apr 30, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions07-240-26RThis Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20.NHTSA ID 11032034

This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20.

Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11032034 at NHTSA
Apr 24, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions03-97-26This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.NHTSA ID 11032040

This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.

Components: POWER TRAIN. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11032040 at NHTSA
Apr 24, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions01-167-08RThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.NHTSA ID 11032039

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11032039 at NHTSA
Apr 20, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions05-97-26This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to be followed when addressing customer concerns of steering wheel/vehicle body vibration when driving at highway speeds when tire/wheel balance is suspected.NHTSA ID 11032035

This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to be followed when addressing customer concerns of steering wheel/vehicle body vibration when driving at highway speeds when tire/wheel balance is suspected.

Components: STEERING · WHEELS. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11032035 at NHTSA
Mar 26, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions10-105-25RThis bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.NHTSA ID 11030560

This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11030560 at NHTSA
Browse all manufacturer records by page

Records below contain the NHTSA bulk summary unless a document-reviewed explainer is linked. A service bulletin is not a safety recall or a promise of a free repair. Records may be revised or superseded; verify the current document with the manufacturer.

04 / Agency investigations

Official inquiries.

An investigation is an inquiry into a potential concern. Its presence does not establish a defect, and a closed case does not certify a car’s condition.

No investigation records matched this model-year in the snapshot.

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