2002 Subaru Forester: problems, recalls and reliability

“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2018

“Fuel lines in engine leak in cold weather. This is a serious hazard that I and multiple other subaru owners that I know have had occurring and recurring. I called subaru and they were uninterested in issuing a safety recall despite the extreme hazard leaking gasoline in the engine poses. This has now happened to me twice in two different fuel hoses in the past two years.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2017

“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. I think I am lucky to be alive as I have driven this vehicle to ohio numerous times in last 1.5 years.”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2017

“Takata recall my car has a strong smell of gasoline when walking up to the car after it has sat and it is even stronger when you shut the car off after driving. In the warmer weather the smell has increased.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2017

“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 subaru forester. While driving at 50 mph, the vehicle vibrated and pulled to the right without warning. The contact slowed down and drove to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front lower control arm of the suspension was fractured and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 155,000. The VIN was not provided.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2015

“Brake pads are good and most of the time work right. When road is icy or wet and I push the pedal the car starts shuttering, brake lets loose and won't stop the car. I try to let off the pedal and barely push it again and it still won't quit shuttering or stop. If I go to low gear real fast or pull the emergency brake two clicks then I can stop. Has this ever been a recall on this auto? *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2014

“On a very cold morning with temps in the teens, after driving the car less than 10 miles and parking it in the driveway I noticed a strong raw gas smell. I opened the hood and saw gas leaking around two metal clamps on a small rubber hose to the left and below the power steering fluid cap. After doing some research online and seeing how common this problem is, we went out about an hour later and turned on the engine with the hood up and we could see the gas around the clamps after just a couple of minutes. We tightened the screws on the clamps, they went at least three turns each. Hoping this solves the problem since leaking gasoline in the engine area seems pretty dangerous. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2014