2002 SUBARU OUTBACK — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
172
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
8
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK
The 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK has received a total of 172 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES, SUSPENSION:REAR, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. 8 technical service bulletins have been issued by Subaru of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Fuel System Gasoline (20 complaints), Service Brakes Hydraulic (12 complaints), and Engine And Engine Cooling (9 complaints).
Recalls for the 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK, potentially affecting up to 471,793 vehicles.
Recall 04V128000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
| 127,580 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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....
View full details →Recall 03V153000 — SUSPENSION:REAR
| 170,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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...
View full details →Recall 02V282000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 172,564 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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...
View full details →Recall 02V079000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
| 1,252 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND LOWER).
Consequence: 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.
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...
View full details →Recall 13E065000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 397 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK
172 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK
Subaru of America, Inc. has issued 8 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
WWM-96R — SUSPENSION
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that affected vehicles, listed below, may have been manufactured with improperly applied paint to the rear suspension sub-frame. Affected vehicles which are operated in the "salt-belt" for an extensive period could result in the rear sub-frame rusting out and possibly breaking. There has...
03-82-18 — POWER TRAIN
This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of grease is used which has a higher resistance to heat. In cases where the operator keeps a foot on the clutch...
04-13-09R — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
If you encounter a vehicle that has a groaning type noise coming from the power steering pump when the wheel is turned to the full right or left position when the vehicle is parked, it may be caused by the relief valve vibrating within the pump. In lieu of replacing...
037012R-1 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:KINETIC:HOUSING/CASE
Repair Procedure for High-Pitched Sound from Extension Housing Area Using Latest Generation Production Parts
037012 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Repair Procedure for High-Pitched Sound from Extension Housing Area Using Latest Generation Production Parts
090102 — POWER TRAIN
PARTS SUPERSESSION FOR FIRST DRIVEN GEAR. SUBARU NEWSLETTER. *TT
186901 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
SUBJECT REGARDING SERVICE MANUAL CORRECTIONS. *JB
010701 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SUBJECT REGARDING KEYLESS ENTRY. *JB
NHTSA Investigations for the 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SUBARU OUTBACK
- 1997 SUBARU OUTBACK — 94 complaints
- 1998 SUBARU OUTBACK — 165 complaints
- 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK — 150 complaints
- 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK — 247 complaints
- 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK — 207 complaints
- 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK (current)
- 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK — 116 complaints
- 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK — 108 complaints
- 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK — 353 complaints
- 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK — 404 complaints
- 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK — 182 complaints
Other SUBARU Models
- SUBARU FORESTER — 8,432 total complaints
- SUBARU LEGACY — 4,117 total complaints
- SUBARU IMPREZA — 3,406 total complaints
- SUBARU CROSSTREK — 1,431 total complaints
- SUBARU ASCENT — 1,230 total complaints
- SUBARU WRX — 1,207 total complaints
- SUBARU SVX — 373 total complaints
- SUBARU XV CROSSTREK — 354 total complaints