2002 Subaru Outback problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 2002 Subaru Outback have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2002 Subaru Outback. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Q: How much is a 2002 Subaru Outback worth?

Comparable 2002 Subaru Outback listings run roughly $850–$5,100, typically around $2,813 (from 35 vehicles).

2002 Subaru Outback at a glance

Safety recalls5

Owner complaints153

Typical price$2,813

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2002 Subaru Outback recalls 5

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #13E065000 · 29/11/2013

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 t…

Fix: 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.

Vehicle Speed Control:cables NHTSA Campaign #04V128000 · 16/03/2004

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.

Fix: 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.

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #03V153000 · 22/04/2003

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 COMPONE…

Fix: 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder NHTSA Campaign #02V079000 · 12/03/2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND LOWER).

Fix: 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.

Power Train:automatic Transmission NHTSA Campaign #02V282000 · 30/10/2002

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.

Fix: 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 W…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2002 Subaru Outback common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel/propulsion System

Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

Engine

Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

Structure

Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Suspension

Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

What's a 2002 Subaru Outback worth?

Low

$850

Typical price

$2,813

High

$5,100

From 35 comparable 2002 Subaru Outback listings.

2002 Subaru Outback trims & engines on record

Trims

Base · Limited · L.L. Bean Edition · VDC · Outback-Ltd. · OUTBACK

Engines

2.5L · 3.0L 6-cyl

2002 Subaru Outback vehicles on record

2002 Subaru Outback VDC4S3BH896027651467

2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH675726656380

2002 Subaru Outback Limited4S3BH686027609483

2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH665927617754

2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH675227643482

2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH675827623656 2002 Subaru Outback Limited4S3BE686127206251

2002 Subaru Outback VDC4S3BE896927200837 2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH665827616191

2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH665X27660838 2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH665526634847

2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH665926612074 2002 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition4S3BH806527646097 2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH665027647497 2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH665527613569 2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH665026660465

2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH665027664011 2002 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition4S3BH806827614731

2002 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition4S3BH806427661612

2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH675327639313

2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH675827602757 2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH675827657760

2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH665527624409

2002 Subaru Outback Base4S3BH665826612387

Other Subaru Outback model years

2002 Subaru Outback — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Subaru Outback have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2002 Subaru Outback. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Subaru Outback?

Based on 153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel/propulsion system, engine, structure.

How much is a 2002 Subaru Outback worth?

Comparable 2002 Subaru Outback listings run roughly $850–$5,100, typically around $2,813 (from 35 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.