VehicleVerdict

2002 Subaru Legacy problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2002 Subaru Legacy is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 71 owner complaints run below the Legacy median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 2 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (15), engine (13), and brakes (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

71

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Legacy years?

Legacy NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted248 complaints1987: 1 complaints1988: 1 complaints1989: 1 complaints1990: 103 complaints1991: 121 complaints1992: 66 complaints1993: 90 complaints1994: 67 complaints1995: 230 complaints1996: 161 complaints1997: 179 complaints1998: 155 complaints1999: 119 complaints2000: 119 complaints2001: 90 complaints2002: 71 complaints2003: 69 complaints2004: 55 complaints2005: 248 complaints2006: 135 complaints2007: 45 complaints2008: 83 complaints2009: 75 complaints2010: 218 complaints2011: 234 complaints2012: 119 complaints2013: 84 complaints2014: 73 complaints2015: 232 complaints2016: 192 complaints2017: 140 complaints2018: 161 complaints2019: 142 complaints2020: 143 complaints2021: 43 complaints2022: 41 complaints2023: 12 complaints2024: 26 complaints2025: 10 complaints
Legacy NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Legacy years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Subaru Legacy problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System1521%
Engine1318%
Transmission710%
Brakes710%
Tires & Wheels68%
Suspension68%
Other57%
Speed Control46%
Electrical System23%
Body & Structure23%
Visibility & Wipers23%
Seats11%
Airbags11%

Does the 2002 Subaru Legacy have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13E065000Fuel SystemNovember 29, 2013 · 397 units

Defect

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 tank is full.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

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.

04V128000Speed ControlMarch 16, 2004 · 127,580 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

03V153000SuspensionApril 22, 2003 · 170,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

02V282000TransmissionOctober 30, 2002 · 172,564 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

02V079000BrakesMarch 12, 2002 · 1,252 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 12, 2014

“STARTED WITH A BURNING SMELL, WHEN HAVING MY CAR INSPECTED, I WAS ADVISED THAT I HEAD A SMALL HEAD GASKET LEAK. (MY CAR WAS RECALLED AND HAD THE STOP LEAK PUT IN IT) OBVIOUSLY IT DIDN'T WORK. THE LEAK IS WORSE AND I AM SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT, WONDERING WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING TO COME FROM TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 1, 2006

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN AND MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKES FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL BRAKING AND ROAD CONDITIONS. THE OCCUPANT WAS WEARING A SEATBELT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY REPAIR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 5, 2006 · crash

“I HAVE A 2002 SUBARU LEGACY GT, 5-SPEED MANUAL. MOST OF THE TIME THE CLUTCH IS STIFF, BUT ONCE IN A WHILE THE CLUTCH BECOMES EXTREMELY EASY TO PUSH DOWN, (YOU CAN USE ONE FINGER TO PUSH IN THE CLUTCH). DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM AND SAID CLUTCH WAS NORMAL. YOU CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 14, 2004

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · December 1, 2017

2002 Subaru Legacy — common questions

Is the 2002 Subaru Legacy reliable?

It is close to typical for the Legacy: 71 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2002 Legacy problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (15 complaints), engine (13 complaints), brakes (7 complaints).

Does the 2002 Subaru Legacy have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Subaru Legacy. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Subaru Legacy years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Legacy years to avoid are 2005, 2011, 2015, 1995, 2010, 2016, 1997, 2018, 1996, 1998, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2006, 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among Legacy years belongs to 1989.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.