2002 Subaru Outback Problems, Recalls & Reliability
172 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2002 Subaru Outback, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 17/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Brakes & stability leads the reports, typically around 43,750 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2002 Subaru Outback has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 2002 sits among all Outback years
What owners report
“With emergency brake set, car rolled into brick gate post and into street, jumped curb, door panel broke off, door damaged. Nlm”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Outback
“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…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Outback
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 101 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 75,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 42,500 and 123,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND LOWER).
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…
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2002 Subaru Outback reliable?
The 2002 Subaru Outback drew 172 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 17/100, scored against the model's worst year (2019).
What are the most common 2002 Subaru Outback problems?
The top reported problems for the 2002 Subaru Outback are brakes & stability (33 complaints), fuel system (31), and engine (22).
At what mileage do 2002 Subaru Outback problems show up?
Owners most often report 2002 Subaru Outback problems around 75,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 42,500 and 123,000 miles.
Does the 2002 Subaru Outback have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2002 Subaru Outback. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.