2002 Subaru Forester Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 10%of 88 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 162,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Subaru Forester, 10% of the 88 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 162,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving I was making a right hand turn from one road to another and I hit a slight bump and then the whole thing starts swaying only to find out that my rear subframe completely rotted out and detached itself from the car due to the rust and the breaking of the subframe in the rear”
NHTSA complaint #11271255, filed 2019-10, 235,000 miles“I was driving on the highway 1 mile from my home when the control arm suddenly failed sending my car veering across the road almost hitting oncoming traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #11099423, filed 2018-06, 198,455 miles“Put vehicle in reverse after being at bank and heard a huge clunk. Gentleman ran up to me and said not to move it. Got out and left front tire was about laying flat on ground. Had brother bring tow dolly and then took it apart. Ended up spending 600 just on parts as the control arms were rotted horribly. Left one as stated, was rotted in half, right was in such bad shape my brother said it would not be safe if not replaced also. So 600.00 later and now I have it at kocur krew and will have another 750.00 bill as the subframe and cradel assembly are rotted bad. Like wow all in 2.5 months. …”
NHTSA complaint #11051583, filed 2017-11, 162,500 miles“After purchasing a 2002 Subaru Forester, the vehicle was driven for a very short period of time prior to noticing that the front end of the vehicle began to feel loose and unstable while steering, and the vehicle began to pull to one side while accelerating and braking. After noticing the instability and swaying action, I conducted cursory inspections of the front end and suspension areas of the vehicle. As a result of inspections, I didn't notice anything wrong with the undercarriage. While driving the vehicle on 20 september 2014, without warning, the right front lower control arm broke. …”
NHTSA complaint #10643067, filed 2014-10, 170,701 miles“Was luckily only traveling at about 30 MPH when failure occurred. Got out of the car to discover the driver side wheel correctly pointed straight and passenger side front wheel pointed inward. Upon inspection, the control had without warning snapped in half taking the cv axle and stabilizer linkage with it. Hoping to get it fixed for under $500.”
NHTSA complaint #11180437, filed 2019-02, 169,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11008259Sep 4, 2024This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement.
- 11005593Jul 8, 2024This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 3 | 4% |
| 2022 | 3 | 3% |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 15 | 3% |
| 2017 | 13 | 2% |
| 2016 | 14 | 3% |
| 2015 | 66 | 11% |
| 2014 | 94 | 23% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% |
| 2008 | 11 | 22% |
| 2007 | 12 | 16% |
| 2006 | 12 | 14% |
| 2005 | 21 | 23% |
| 2004 | 25 | 11% |
| 2003 | 22 | 12% |
| 2002 | 9 | 10% |
| 2001 | 15 | 11% |
| 2000 | 19 | 25% |
| 1999 | 25 | 19% |
| 1998 | 17 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2002 Subaru Forester
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology