2002 Subaru Outback Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Outback years
- Fewer complaints than other years 19th of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 143 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Subaru Outback. That ranks 19th out of 32 Outback model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (27 complaints, 19%), typically at around 13,500 miles. Complaints mention 9 crashes, 11 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 143owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 9complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2002 Subaru Outback problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 27 | 19% | 13,500 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 23 | 16% | 85,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 20 | 14% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 17 | 12% | 74,048 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 | 8% | 44,500 | — | — |
| Structure | 10 | 7% | 150,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8 | 6% | 129,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 6 | 4% | 33,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 5 | 3% | 37,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 5 | 3% | 135,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 3% | 138,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 5 | 3% | 24,800 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 4 | 3% | 115,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 4 | 3% | 161,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 2% | 150,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 2% | 141,682 | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 1% | 70,392 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 1% | 49,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 1% | 140,841 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 1% | 150,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1% | 110,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2002 Subaru Outback recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Vehicle speed control:cables
Problem: 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.
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.
Suspension:rear
Problem: 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.
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.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: 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.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the brake master cylinders may not function properly in ambient temperatures below freezing 32 degrees fahrenheit and lower).
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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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…
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…
Terrible gas smell. Fuel is leaking because it is cold outside.
Other Subaru Outback years
← 2001 Outback · 2003 Outback →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Outback | 18 | 0 |
| 2025 Outback | 82 | 0 |
| 2024 Outback | 104 | 0 |
| 2023 Outback | 89 | 2 |
| 2022 Outback | 465 | 4 |
| 2021 Outback | 298 | 4 |
| 2020 Outback | 900 | 6 |
| 2019 Outback | 1,036 | 3 |
| 2018 Outback | 814 | 3 |
| 2017 Outback | 918 | 4 |
| 2016 Outback | 643 | 4 |
| 2015 Outback | 510 | 5 |
| 2014 Outback | 208 | 10 |
| 2013 Outback | 297 | 12 |
| 2012 Outback | 293 | 16 |
| 2011 Outback | 652 | 16 |
| 2010 Outback | 360 | 18 |
| 2009 Outback | 106 | 13 |
| 2008 Outback | 226 | 8 |
| 2007 Outback | 129 | 8 |
| 2006 Outback | 277 | 7 |
| 2005 Outback | 273 | 9 |
| 2004 Outback | 90 | 10 |
| 2003 Outback | 93 | 14 |
| 2002 | 143 | 4 |
| 2001 Outback | 171 | 3 |
| 2000 Outback | 207 | 1 |
| 1999 Outback | 111 | 1 |
| 1998 Outback | 127 | 2 |
| 1997 Outback | 79 | 4 |
| 1996 Outback | 46 | 2 |
| 1995 Outback | 2 | 1 |
See all Subaru Outback problems by year, every Subaru model, or the Subaru VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Subaru Outback?
Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic, fuel system, gasoline, power train problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 27 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Subaru Outback?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2002 Subaru Outback a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Outback model years, the 2002 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.