2002 Subaru Forester Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 26%of 88 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2002 Subaru Forester, 26% of the 88 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,500 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was entering a parking space at a local grocery store when the vehicle surged forward into another parked car. I had my foot on the brake and had placed the vehicle in park when it suddenly and unexpectedly lurched forward. I damaged the parked car and my own. This has happened previously when backing out of a parking space going from the park position. Am contacting Subaru to see if this has anything to do with the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10312776, filed 2010-02, 105,000 miles“I had stopped my Forester in the left hand turn lane about 3 to 5 feet behind another vehicle while waiting for the signal to change from red to the green arrow. I put my vehicle into park and took my foot off the brake. I turned to check the pocket of my jacket in the rear seat. I turned back in the driving direction, put my foot on the brake and moved the automatic gear shift into the drive position. My car surged forward with the engine racing and hit the vehicle in front of me. I could not control the speed with the brakes, so I shifted back into park. This stopped my car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10758501, filed 2015-08, 160,823 miles“We purchased this low-mileage vehicle (~11k miles) 2nd hand from local Subaru dealer mid-feb 2006, & noticed only rough shifting when engine is cold- no other problems. Today, while turning left at low speed, the car suddenly accelerated, & seemed to do so for a short time after braking harder. I assumed I had inadvertently stepped on the gas & brake at the same time, & resolved to be more careful. After turning the car off & restarting, I turned right at low speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10153855, filed 2006-03, 12,430 miles“Driver of Forester was stopped at a red light about 10 feet away from car in front. Driver took foot away from brake pedal for a moment and car surged forward on its own. Driver slammed brake pedal to the floor, but Forester continued to surge forward. Driver swerved to try to avoid accident but still clipped bumper of car in front and caused damage. Forester continued to surge and buck forward for another moment before finally stopping (driver's foot had remained firmly on brake the entire time). …”
NHTSA complaint #10149986, filed 2006-02, 32,000 miles“The vehicle was parked and idling before the consumer got in the vehicle and shifts it into reverse while the foot were on the brake pedal. The vehicle commences to accelerate and lurch backward and ran into the entrance of the drug store. Consumer shift the vehicle into drive and the vehicle took off again and hit a metal pole. No injuries was reported and both the driver and the passenger were restrained in their seat belts. The vehicle was tow to a repair shop. The dealer was notified and pick up the vehicle from the repair shop.”
NHTSA complaint #10108638, filed 2005-01, 19,700 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 6 | 8% |
| 2022 | 9 | 9% |
| 2021 | 12 | 6% |
| 2020 | 24 | 4% |
| 2019 | 27 | 3% |
| 2018 | 30 | 6% |
| 2017 | 33 | 6% |
| 2016 | 37 | 9% |
| 2015 | 70 | 11% |
| 2014 | 42 | 10% |
| 2013 | 7 | 9% |
| 2012 | 18 | 17% |
| 2011 | 13 | 9% |
| 2010 | 24 | 9% |
| 2009 | 19 | 11% |
| 2008 | 6 | 12% |
| 2007 | 8 | 11% |
| 2006 | 20 | 23% |
| 2005 | 17 | 18% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 15 | 8% |
| 2002 | 23 | 26% |
| 2001 | 29 | 21% |
| 2000 | 4 | 5% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1998 | 14 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2002 Subaru Forester
16 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsSuspension
9 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 30, 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