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2002 Subaru Legacy problems

The most common problem on the 2002 Subaru Legacy is fuel and propulsion system, typically around 68,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Legacy model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
76/100
Owner complaints
54
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
167
Worst area
Fuel system
Fuel economy
20-21mpg

The worst 2002 Subaru Legacy problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Fuel system
    15
  • Engine
    13
  • Brakes
    7
  • Transmission
    7
  • Suspension
    6
  • Tires
    5
  • Acceleration
    4
  • Body
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Subaru Legacy

Fuel smell 9Stalling 5

Recalls 4

Vehicle speed control: cablesReported March 16, 2004 · 127,580 vehicles affected
What is 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.

Recall number 04V128000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported April 22, 2003 · 170,000 vehicles affected
What is 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.

Recall number 03V153000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported October 30, 2002 · 172,564 vehicles affected
What is 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.

Recall number 02V282000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinderReported March 12, 2002 · 1,252 vehicles affected
What is 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.

Recall number 02V079000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2002 Subaru Legacy

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Subaru Legacy 167

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 167 bulletins for the 2002 Subaru Legacy

2002 Subaru Legacy fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 4‑cyl4WD192521
3.0L 6‑cyl4WD172420

What 2002 Subaru Legacy owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 10, 2023 · Suspension · CA

To whom it may concern. I’ve purchased a second hand vehicle from New Jersey I live in California. It is 2002 Subaru outback H-6 3.0 with 52,000 miles. Upon delivery I took it to orange coast Subaru for general inspection when it was brought to my attention that there’s an open recall from 2004 stating excessive corrosion in the rear sub frame. It applies on vehicles in cold wet states where New Jersey is one of them. Service advisor assure me that all is fine and they marked it as resolved. Upon inspection when I received the car back to my horror the sub frame is corroded to the point of disintegration. I took it back in and I’ve reached out to Subaru of North America where they look into it and concluded that the factory warranty is expired, 5 years 60k miles and they will not fix the recall. Base on my research there’s no expiration on manufacture recall and I’m not sure why they will not take care of it . Please help me navigate this matter. Thank you kindly [XXX] The person at Subaru headquarters info is; [XXX] Subaru of America, Inc. Customer Advocacy Department 1-800-SUBARU3 (1‑800‑782‑2783) Direct: [XXX] [email protected] Case number [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Feb 25, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Extreme gas smell in cold weather until car heats up when running heat/defrost. Known issue in other models that warranted a recall.

Filed Nov 22, 2021 · Acceleration, Suspension · 169,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, there was an abnormal sound of metal fragments dropping. The vehicle was seen by an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the underneath of the vehicle was rusted. The contact was unaware of what parts had detached from the vehicle or needed to be replaced. In addition, the vehicle was accelerating independently. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000.

Filed Jan 31, 2020 · Visibility · LA

Un-fendered vehicles - I see way too many vehicles allowed to be the outfitted with wide tires outside of the vehicles fenders. Hey! I though tires are supposed to be covered by the vehicle's fenders so they wouldn't throw off rocks, spray or debris into the air at other vehicles on the highway. Those obnoxious bright-blue headlights. Since when do our regulators allow headlights that blind other drivers on the highways at night when switched on low-beam? These might be great for the other driver but they're hell on someone's retinas at night if they have the temerity to be driving out ahead. Surely we have the technology to enforce this at the brake tag station. Rain-x - why do you allow itw global brands to put this crap on people's windshields? You can't remove it and the only way to keep it from smearing and obscuring your night-time vision is to use more of it. It's like global brands is co-opting people's private property or helping to blind them on the highways. If you use the stuff as intended to bead-up rain instead of using wipers, you're breaking state law that says you must use headlights and wiper in the rain. Speeders - what is with all these people who drive on the highways like they're on meth? Don't we have speed limits? Can't government use the money from speeding fines? Road spray - why aren't tractor trucks and trailers not required to minimize the blinding water spray they make on wet highways? There are fenders and wheel covers designed to do this.

Filed Jan 5, 2020 · Brakes, Engine · 165,000 miles · NC

When the vehicle starts going around 55 - 60 MPH, the car starts shaking vigorously. The wheel also shakes which also concerns me. Moreover, when I start to slow the car down, a rattling noise constantly shakes my car including my wheel from side to side. I think there might be an alignment problem with my vehicle since my check engine light turns on and off frequently.

Filed Feb 6, 2018 · Suspension · 150,000 miles · NY

I checked under the car and the rear suspension is so rusted it is unsafe to drive . I looked on the internet and it is a common issue. With the amount of unsafe cars driving around with this issue I would say the ball was really dropped on the original recall

Filed Jan 12, 2018 · 112,000 miles · NC

I have noticed an inordinate number of cars with LED tail lights that the break and/or tail lights do not work. Nothing specific for make or model but it is dangerous! I would really like to see if it is being checked out.

Filed May 27, 2017 · Body, Suspension · 165,200 miles · NY

I own a 2002 subaru legacy in western new york, I recently was told there was an issue that was recalled back in 2004 but my car was never notified or addressed of the issue with corrosion. The recall ( the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v153000 ) I was driving on the high way when I hit a small bump and the back end of the subaru dropped and the tire started to shred causing me to loose control of the car , thank good the car came to a rest in the median and no crash or fatalities occurred.

Filed Jan 11, 2016 · Fuel system · 132,000 miles · NY

The fuel lines leak out raw gasoline onto the hot engine any time it is cold outside. I have replaced the fuel line but it still leaks when cold. This is a very great fire hazard.

Filed Dec 29, 2015 · Fuel system · 180,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns 2002 subaru legacy. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there would be an odor of fuel entering into the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13e065000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

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Compare the 2002 Subaru Legacy

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2002 Subaru Legacy

Is the 2002 Subaru Legacy reliable?

Owners have filed 54 complaints about the 2002 Subaru Legacy, fewer than a typical Legacy model year.

What is the 2002 Subaru Legacy year score?

The 2002 Subaru Legacy scores 76 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Subaru Legacy: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Subaru Legacy?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 15 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles. Next is engine (13).

How many recalls does the 2002 Subaru Legacy have?

4 recalls, covering vehicle speed control, suspension and power train.

What year does the Subaru Legacy have the most fuel system problems?

The Subaru Legacy model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2005 (27 complaints), 2001 (19 complaints) and 1995 (18 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2002 Subaru Legacy get?

Official estimates for the 2002 Subaru Legacy range from 20 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl, 4WD) gets 19 city and 25 highway.

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