The Lemon Index2002 Subaru Outback.
The 2002 Subaru Outback is about average by owner complaints: 68 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 104, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, and it has 5 recalls. The best Subaru Outback year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 143 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Subaru Outback year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 37K to 102K miles on the car (88 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- fuel system, gasoline complaints mostly came at 68K–91K miles
Recalls 5
- fuel system, gasoline 2013
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- speed control 2004
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.
- suspension 2003
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,…
Show all 5 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2002
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD.
- brakes 2002
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 dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Subaru told dealers about
Subaru sent dealers 142 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Improperly manufactured 4eat transmission parking pawl rod
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
In owners' words
The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a clutch adjustment. The technician informed that consumer that the clutch needed to be replaced.
2002 Subaru Outback owner · NHTSA complaint 10111018
More owner reports
When the brake was applied, the vehicle experienced extended stopping distance.
NHTSA complaint 10008998
Nhtsa#02-v-282-000. Please provide further information. Ph
NHTSA complaint 10006708
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Subaru Outback reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 104; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Outback year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2002 Subaru Outback problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (34%), transmission & drivetrain (22%) and speed control (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Subaru Outback have?
5 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage do 2002 Subaru Outback problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 37,800 and 102,800 miles. The middle report was at 70,500 miles, from 88 complaints.
Does the 2002 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
What Subaru Outback year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2014 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works