2002 Subaru Outback: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 143 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (18% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2013
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 143 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I am the original owner of this vehicle and I have had four separate incidents that my head gasket has had to be replaced. This is a costly repair and given my car has 190,000 miles on it I believe four issues dealing with this same situation needs to be properly addressed. Not only does this issue result in a huge outlay of money but it gets oil all over the engine, parts, and driveway that needs to be cleaned. I would appreciate any assistance in this matter.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2018
“When the temperature outside gets below 35 degrees, my car smells very strongly of gas inside. I have to roll the windows down for ventilation. When the temperature warms up, the smell goes away. It is worse when I first started my car in the morning. Mechanics haven't been able to figure out the problem but I just read many complaints online about this issue. I will take their suggested fixes to my mechanic.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 subaru outback. While the vehicle was being serviced, the independent mechanic observed that the entire frame was severely corroded and holes were forming. The vehicle needed a new cross member. The vehicle was not repaired. Also, when the vehicle was shifted into the park position while on an incline, it began to roll away without warning. The failure recurred two times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 03v153000 (suspension) and 02v282000 (power train). The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“When temp. Outside go below 32 degrees, the inside of my car fills with raw gas smell, this happens every winter. I live in wi. When it is above freezing it is fine and all summer it is fine. I am so affraid to have my grand kids in the car. Not sure if the fumes will explode.when I am driving I do not smell gas. But if I stop at a stop sign or light it fills up the car. I have to roll down my windows to get fresh air”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 subaru outback. While the vehicle was being serviced for routine maintenance, the independent mechanic discovered that the rear suspension subframe had fractured due to severe rusting. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000. Update 01/13/16 ma; updated 4/17/18*jb the consumer stated traded vehicle due to the fact not knowing what to do about fixing it. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2015
“The air conditioner begins to blow hot moist air after several minutes of working properly. Multiple mechanics including a specialty shop can't diagnose, and the only option is to replace the entire a/c compressor because the clutch isn't sold separately. I've read many accounts of the same "intermittent" a/c that only works once the engine is turned off and back on, then stops working seconds or minutes later for no apparent reason. The vehicle can be stationary or in motion and the a/c just quits.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2015
“When getting the car inspected we found out the frame of the car was rusted so badly it was cracked. It was in such a key spot that it wasn't fixable and the car could have easily lost a wheel on the road with little to no warning (a small bump could have been enough to trigger an accident). The car has been taken care of well and when inspected just a year ago at the subaru dealership there was no mention or sign that this could potentially be a problem. The fast deterioration of the frame underneath the car is the complaint and we had no choice but to part out the otherwise wonderful car due to safety and unable to get it fixed. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2015
“In 10 degree weather, my 2002 subaru outback wagon developed a fuel leak while being driven by my 17-year-old child. This is my second subaru wagon and the second to have cold weather fuel leaks. I tightened the clamp on the offending fuel line and I hope that is an adequate fix. But it is simply unacceptable that such a dangerous problem has not had a recall, and that it has been happening for 20 years. (my first subaru with this problem was a 1991 legacy wagon.) how many car fires have resulted from this problem? How many injuries or even fatalities? Please make subaru take responsibility for a poorly designed fuel line. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2015
“Although my car is not listed on the airbag recall, I am concerned my car might have the airbags from takata. The year the takata airbag recall started is 2000. My car is a 2002 subaru outback. The 2003 subaru outback is on the takata airbag recall list. How can I make sure my car's airbags were not manufactured by takata? *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2014
“Upper front fuel line and connection to throttle body? Is leaking raw gas and fuel is pooling on top of engine just outward of upper exhaust manifold area. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
Airtex Products LP (Airtex) is recalling certain model E8598M, E8518M, E8600M, E8596M, and E8597M fuel pumps manufactured July 26, 2013, and July 29, 2013 and used as aftermarket replacements on Subaru Baja's, Outback's and Legacy's. The affected fuel pumps were sold or installed into the aftermarket applications on or after July 26, 2013, and may may leak fuel from the base of a fuel line connection when the gas tank is full.
Remedy: Airtex will notify owners, and will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Recall is expected to begin on January 2, 2014. Customers may contact Airtex at 1-800-880-3056. The recall is expected to begin during January 2014. This recall is being conducted by Airtex, not by Subaru.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AND LODGE ON THE CONTROL LEVER TAB WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AND WILL REMAIN IN AN OPEN POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER TAB ON THE THROTTLE SHAFT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM COMING OUT OF ITS TRACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND LOWER).
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 21, 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.
THIS RECALL APPLIES TO CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. CERTAIN REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME COMPONENTS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE ROAD SALTS FOR A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS, COULD RESULT IN RUST-OUT OF THE COMPONENT AND POSSIBLE BREAKAGE OF THE SUBFRAME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN AND RUST-PROOF THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 14, 2003. 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Outback by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Subaru Outback reliable?
NHTSA has 143 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Subaru Outback. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Subaru Outback problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,548 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Subaru Outback have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.