SUBARU LEGACY · model year

2002 SUBARU LEGACY

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.

71
Complaints
5
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

71 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
SUSPENSION5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS4
ENGINE4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
TIRES:SIDEWALL2
TIRES2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2

Recalls (5)

02V28200030/10/2002

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

13E06500029/11/2013

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

03V15300022/04/2003

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

04V12800016/03/2004

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

02V07900012/03/2002

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).

Recent Complaints

20230410UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 [XX

20230410SUSPENSION

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 [XX

20230225FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

20230225ENGINE

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

20211122VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

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

20211122SUSPENSION

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

20200131VISIBILITY/WIPER

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

20200131UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20200105SERVICE BRAKES

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

20200105ENGINE

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

20200105UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20180206SUSPENSION

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

20180112UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20170527STRUCTURE:BODY

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

20170527SUSPENSION

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

20160111FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

20151229FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

20150105FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

20150105ENGINE

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

20141112FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

Compare 2002SUBARULEGACY to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 SUBARU LEGACY have?
The 2002 SUBARU LEGACY has 71 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 SUBARU LEGACY?
Yes, the 2002 SUBARU LEGACY has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 SUBARU LEGACY?
The most-complained component for the 2002 SUBARU LEGACY is FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and SUSPENSION.
Is the 2002 SUBARU LEGACY safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.