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 the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 03v153000 (suspension) and 02v282000 (power train). The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
2002 Subaru Outback transmission problems
20 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 55,000.
- owner complaints
- 20
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- typical mileage
- 55,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Manual transmission7
- Clutch assembly6
- Automatic transmission3
- Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
- Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Subaru Outback transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Subaru Outback transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- 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
What 2002 Subaru Outback owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Clutch defects not acknowledged and not repaired by the dealer on a subaru outback 20002. Dealership: liberty, 1000 e park avenue, libertyville, il 60048 problem started in 2003 and lasted to this date. In aug 2008, dealer acknowledged present default but refused to concede that there was a problem from the start. When the car was serviced on many occasions started in 2003 (oil changes) we mentioned a problem with the clutch. The dealer blamed the "new hydraulic clutch" and gave us the run-around. Now in 2008, 3 years later, they "discovered" the clutch problem and wants to charge $1,300.00 to fix it. We refused to have to pay for something that should have been done under warranty. Another garage told us that subaru had issued an advisory about the exact same problem but the dealer never told us. The clutch is still not repaired. Both my wife and I have driven many manual gear shift cars with no problems, having driven our previous 1992 subaru outback to 140,000 before it needed a clutch repair. The clutch on the 2002 has been a problem almost right from the start. We have service report dated 06/17/05 invoice # sucs426989 saying: " ref#2 03suz : drive line - teck :553 - customer states at times vehicle shakes when letting out the clutch and taking off, more amplified after vehicle has been sitting. ---inspected vehicle, could not duplicate condition at this time- this was not the first time we reported the problem, but it is the first written acknowledgement from the dealer. There is a second written acknowledgement: dated 11/28/06, invoice sucs476828, ref j#2 08suz clutch ---tech 42898: customer states the car is chugging in first gear - see line 1 line 1 states j# 1 40suzdgrt diagnosis road test - customer states the engine light is on and car feels like it want to stall. Per scanner code, replace front o2 sensor and reflash ECM" as you see, they blamed the o2 sensor and refuse to acknowledge the clutch problem.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 subaru outback. While driving 65 MPH, the contact heard a grinding sound coming from outside the vehicle. A local mechanic stated that the bearings in the transfer case failed. The vehicle was diagnosed by the mechanic; however, the failure recurred three months later. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 60,000 and failure mileage was 55,000.
After returning from a out of town trip, we got to our car and started to drive away and the engine revved up but did not proportionately increase in speed. After gaining some speed the symptoms disappeared. Three days later after shifting from fifth gear to fourth gear while driving up a hill on I-70 the clutch completely slipped out. The car was un-drivable but we were in the left lane and there was no emergency pull off on that side so we had to make our way across three lanes of traffic to get to the right emergency lane. With no power we coasted through cars flying by honking at 65 MPH. Luckily we made it to the side of the road unharmed but quite a few close calls. We smelt the smell of a burnt clutch and could no longer engage the transmission or move the vehicle, it would only coast backwards. While we were lucky some other may not. Subaru of america has refused to admit anything is wrong with the car other than a wearable item wearing out. This car has 77,200 miles on it and has had the clutch replaced once before at 34,500 miles under tsb 03-51-02r. We have owned five cars with manual transmissions all of which we drove for over 130,000 miles and not one has needed or had a clutch replaced. An employee at the dealership in the parts department stated to another employee while I was on the phone line that the "flywheel is making those go out so they will need to replace that too."
5 days after head gasket was replaced I was driving and came to a stop light. As the light turned green and I pressed on the accelerator the car did not move. Then all of a sudden the car started to move but very sluggishly. As I drove home I almost had a couple of accidents due to the non responsive car. Currently it is at a shop, and I am being told that the transmission has failed.
I purchased a 2002 subaru outback wagon, manual transmission. I'm having terrible clutch chatter going into 1st and 2nd gear. This happens daily, usually for the first 10 minutes of driving it. The problem is enhanced when it is wet or cold.
Car shudders and stalls continually when starting in 1st gear, more frequently when cold. Have stalled in middle of interection multiple times. This is a manual transmission. I have driven manuals for 20 years have had never had this problem with other vehilcles. This has been happening since I purchased car 6 months ago.
Dangerous hesitation in first and second gears especially. At stop light, upon attempting to accelerate, car bogged down, rpms dipped and nearly stalled before car finally accelerated with a violent jerk forward and back. Has happened on numerous occasions. Very dangerous-nearly been in three accidents already. So far the dealer has bled the clutch, adjusted the clutch, replaced the clutch, replaced knock sensor, replaced coolant temp sensor and replaced front oxygen sensor and problem still as bad as ever if not worse.
The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a clutch adjustment. The technician informed that consumer that the clutch needed to be replaced. *nm
The transmission fluid leaks from the engine. As a result, the vehicle stalls without warning. The transmission was replaced twice, however the problem recurred. *ak the left door panel by the window regulator driver window was not working, there was noise when the driver pressed the gas pedal in the gear, and a gas smell was present when the vehicle was accelerated.
Questions about the 2002 Subaru Outback transmission
Does the 2002 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the transmission of the 2002 Subaru Outback, 14% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2002 Subaru Outback transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 55,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Subaru Outback transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 02V282000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Subaru Outback have bad transmission?
The Subaru Outback model years with the most transmission complaints are 2011 (216 complaints), 2012 (108 complaints) and 2010 (94 complaints).
Other 2002 Subaru Outback problems
Fuel system 32Brakes 31Engine 22Acceleration 12Body 10Visibility 6Airbags 5Seat belts 5Tires 5Electrical 4Suspension 4Lights 3Steering 2Wheels 2Locks 1
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