2002 Subaru Forester: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Subaru Forester: 1 recall, 88 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #02V282000 · 2002 · 172,564 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission parking rod assembly. Owner notification January 8, 2003. An interim owner notification will be sent during November 2002.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Speed control / throttle (23): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (10).
- Transmission & drivetrain (16): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (9).
- Engine & cooling (14): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), overheating (3).
- Airbags (10): the most common themes are fails to deploy (3).
The 2002 Subaru Forester has 88 owner complaints, ranking #21 of 29 Forester model years for complaints (well below the 224 average). Complaints peaked in 2002 (18 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 87,365 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (139 complaints, 0 recalls), 2003 (189 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Subaru Forester.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2002 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 Subaru Forester problems?
Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are speed control / throttle (23), transmission & drivetrain (16), engine & cooling (14).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Subaru Forester get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 Subaru Forester repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.