Total Complaints
71 filings
SUBARU LEGACY · model year
71 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002SUBARULEGACY carries 71 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 LEGACY is fuel/propulsion system with 8 filings, followed by unknown or other (5) and suspension (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2002 LEGACY. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
71 filings
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 8 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 |
| SUSPENSION | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 4 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| TIRES:SIDEWALL | 2 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 VEHI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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 aftermark
SUSPENSION:REAR
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
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
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 AN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND LOWER).
To whom it may concern. Iâve 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 thereâs 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 Iâve 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 thereâs no expiration on manufacture recall and Iâm not sure why they will not take care of it . Please help me navigate this matter. Thank you kindly [XX
To whom it may concern. Iâve 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 thereâs 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 Iâve 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 thereâs no expiration on manufacture recall and Iâm not sure why they will not take care of it . Please help me navigate this matter. Thank you kindly [XX
Extreme gas smell in cold weather until car heats up when running heat/defrost. Known issue in other models that warranted a recall.
Extreme gas smell in cold weather until car heats up when running heat/defrost. Known issue in other models that warranted a recall.
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.
Mileage: 169,000
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.
Mileage: 169,000
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
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
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.
Mileage: 165,000
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.
Mileage: 165,000
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.
Mileage: 165,000
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
Mileage: 150,000
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.
Mileage: 112,000
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 ( NHTSA 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.
Mileage: 165,200
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 ( NHTSA 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.
Mileage: 165,200
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.
Mileage: 132,000
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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13E065000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Mileage: 180,000
A STRONG FUEL SMELL BEGAN ENTERING THE CAR THROUGH THE HEATING VENTS ON THE CAR. THIS HAS ONLY BEEN NOTICEABLE SINCE THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 25 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THERE WAS A ALSO A NOTICEABLE TRAIL OF GASOLINE IN THE SNOW FOLLOWING THE CAR. *TR
A STRONG FUEL SMELL BEGAN ENTERING THE CAR THROUGH THE HEATING VENTS ON THE CAR. THIS HAS ONLY BEEN NOTICEABLE SINCE THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 25 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THERE WAS A ALSO A NOTICEABLE TRAIL OF GASOLINE IN THE SNOW FOLLOWING THE CAR. *TR
ANY TIME IT IS COLD, AROUND 32F OR LOWER, WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING OR NOT, THERE IS A TERRIBLE FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN. I HAVE ACTUALLY WITNESSED FUEL EVAPORATING OUT MY WINDOW. I CAN'T IMAGINE THIS IS A SAFE CONDITION AND A SHORT INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SUBARU DOESN'T HAVE TO PAY TO FIX THIS GLARING SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Mileage: 68,000
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
Passenger Front Air Bag Suppression
Front suspension control arm failure
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
FUEL LINE LEAK
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.