Subaru Outback, representative photo
Representative model. Photo: OSX, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2002 Subaru Outback recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2002 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns
5
Park-it warnings
0
Complaints
147
Latest campaign
Nov 29, 2013

Recall summary by component5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
ComponentCampaignsLatestCampaign IDs
Fuel system, gasoline1Nov 29, 2013
13E065000
Vehicle speed control1Mar 16, 2004
04V128000
Suspension1Apr 22, 2003
03V153000
Power train1Oct 30, 2002
02V282000
Service brakes, hydraulic1Mar 12, 2002
02V079000

Safety recalls5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
0Park-it warnings
0Fixable over the air
Nov 29, 2013Latest campaign
Nov 29, 201313E065000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery fuel pump

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

DetailsHide details for campaign 13E065000
What's wrong
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 base of a fuel line connection when the gas tank is full.
Risk
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 being conducted by Airtex, not by Subaru.
Campaign
NHTSA 13E065000 · Nov 29, 2013
Mar 16, 200404V128000

Vehicle speed control: cables

IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

DetailsHide details for campaign 04V128000
What's wrong
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.
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. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Campaign
NHTSA 04V128000 · Mar 16, 2004
Apr 22, 200303V153000

Suspension: rear

IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

DetailsHide details for campaign 03V153000
What's wrong
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.
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 TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Campaign
NHTSA 03V153000 · Apr 22, 2003
Oct 30, 200202V282000

Power train: automatic transmission

THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

DetailsHide details for campaign 02V282000
What's wrong
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.
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 DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Campaign
NHTSA 02V282000 · Oct 30, 2002
Mar 12, 200202V079000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components master cylinder

AT THESE TEMPERATURES, THE BRAKES MAY NOT RELEASE AFTER BEING APPLIED, EVEN WHEN THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS NO LONGER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.

DetailsHide details for campaign 02V079000
What's wrong
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.
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 SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Campaign
NHTSA 02V079000 · Mar 12, 2002
To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Subaru recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component147

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h
147Complaints filed
10Involving a crash
0Involving a fire
11Injuries reported
ComponentShareComplaints%CrashesFiresInjuries
Service brakes3020404
Hydraulic2718404
Fuel system2517001
Gasoline2316001
Power train2114100
Engine and engine cooling1913101
Vehicle speed control139103
Structure117100
Fuel/propulsion system85001
Engine53000
Air bags53303
Seat belts53000
Visibility53000
Tires53000
Suspension43000

9 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

  • Unknown or other

    “The air conditioner begins to blow hot moist air after several minutes of working properly.”

    Filed 10/03/2018 · ODI 11133192
  • Engine

    “I am the original owner of this vehicle and I have had four separate incidents that my head gasket has had to be replaced.”

    Filed 04/09/2018 · ODI 11084008
  • Fuel/propulsion system

    “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.”

    Filed 12/04/2017 · ODI 11052416

Other Subaru Outback model years

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Other Subaru models

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2002 Subaru Outback recall questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Subaru Outback have?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2002 Subaru Outback. The most recent, 13E065000 (reported November 29, 2013), concerns fuel system, gasoline. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Subaru Outback?

Service brakes is the most-reported component, named in 30 complaints out of 147 filed with NHTSA (20%). Across all complaints, owners reported 10 crashs and 0 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2002 Subaru Outback?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Subaru recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Subaru dealer.

Check a specific Subaru by VIN

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