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2002 Subaru Outback Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 143 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Subaru Outback, most often about the fuel system (22% of complaints, typically around 86,000 miles). It is 19th of 27 Outback model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2002 Subaru Outback problems
Fuel system
32 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
Fuel smell inside car when cold outside (approx. 25 deg f) occurs every winter at these temperatures for last 3 yrs (at least) dealers never found anything.
2002 Subaru Outback smells of gas every time it gets cold. A shop that works on just subarus knows the problem well and tried a few things to fix it. After $175, it did not work. Last year, I had to drive with my windows down on cold nights the smell was so strong. One night it was -20 degrees! This year the smell has…
Brakes
31 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
In cold weather the brakes do not function when the car is first turned on. This is terrifying. This has happened several times and been confirmed by a second driver. After about a minute the brakes seem to be normal. We are now afraid to use the car.
2002 Subaru Outback, ll bean edition. Brakes have failed to work on several different occasions when outside temperature is less than approx. 28 deg f. This is usually first thing in the morning when leaving for work. Car is parked on driveway with a slight downgrade to the street, and car has drifted into driveway…
Engine
22 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
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…
Driving down the road in 2002 Subaru Outback smelt burning coolant. Then , started seeing a lot of smoke from the driver side engine hood area. Pulled over and found that the coolant was empty in the tank. Refilled with fresh coolant and continued down the road back home. Car was smoking all the way back. Took it to a…
Transmission
20 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, clutch assembly, automatic transmission.
The transmission fluid leaks from the engine. As a result, the vehicle stalls without warning. The transmission was replaced twice, however the problem recurred. The left door panel by the window regulator driver window was not working, there was noise when the driver pressed the gas pedal in the gear, and a gas smell…
The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a clutch adjustment. The technician informed that consumer that the clutch needed to be replaced.
Speed control
12 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 44,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
The engine began to idle roughly quite a few months prior (dealer unable to detect any problem), subsequently experienced hesitation from stop; progressed to fluctuating idle speed from 750 to 500 RPM with self correction to 750 after car had been driven and fully warmed up which progressed to episode of hesitation…
Just started car and pulled up to stop light and hit break pedal. All of a sudden there was a sudden acceleration and the car started forward and I had to lean on the break very hard to stop. This occurred 2 times both after starting the car after at least a 1 hour off time. I thought at first it was my foot on both…
Body and structure
10 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 150,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
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…
The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Outback sport. While having the vehicle examined, the contact was informed that the sub frame had begun to rust and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not serviced. The current and failure mileages were 152,000. Updated 05/09/12
Wheels and tires
7 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: sidewall.
On the evening of 21 jun 04 I was driving home from work. As I made a right hand turn in to my driveway. I felt and then heard what seemed to to a flat tire on the right (passenager) side of the car. I had filled up with gas on either the previous friday or saturday. When I fill up with gas I check my oil and tire…
Two front tires need replacement because their insides were worn. 20,000 miles later the two front and one right rear tires had to be replaced because of the same reason.
Visibility and wipers
6 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, power window devices and controls, rearview mirrors/devices, windshield.
The transmission fluid leaks from the engine. As a result, the vehicle stalls without warning. The transmission was replaced twice, however the problem recurred. The left door panel by the window regulator driver window was not working, there was noise when the driver pressed the gas pedal in the gear, and a gas smell…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Subaru Outback recalls
Speed control: cables
Risk: If this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: If such breakage occurs while the vehicle is being operated, control of the vehicle could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: master cylinder
Risk: At these temperatures, the brakes may not release after being applied, even when the driver's foot is no longer on the brake pedal. This can occur withour prior warning, possibly resulting in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the brake master cylinders may not function properly in ambient temperatures below freezing 32 degrees fahrenheit and lower).
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2002 Subaru Outback
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Subaru Outback?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (32 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles); brakes (31 complaints, typically around 42,500 miles); engine (22 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Subaru Outback have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 16, 2004 (speed control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Subaru Outback?
- It is 19th of 27 Outback model years by number of complaints, with 143 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.