2002 Subaru Outback brakes problems

The 2002 Subaru Outback has 33 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 19% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

Brakes complaints

19%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Outback brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON A DIRT ROAD THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING FAILED. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH A TREE. NEITHER THE FRONT DRIVER NOR PASSENGER AIR BAGS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 21, 2003 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 2002 Subaru Outback have?

NHTSA has 33 complaints about the 2002 Subaru Outback brakes — 19% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Subaru Outback brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 02V079000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.