VehicleVerdict

2002 Subaru Outback transmission problems

The 2002 Subaru Outback has 20 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

20

Transmission complaints

12%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Outback transmission complaints by model year216 complaints1996: 5 complaints1997: 8 complaints1998: 21 complaints1999: 32 complaints2000: 44 complaints2001: 23 complaints2002: 20 complaints2003: 13 complaints2004: 10 complaints2005: 17 complaints2006: 18 complaints2007: 9 complaints2008: 12 complaints2009: 8 complaints2010: 94 complaints2011: 216 complaints2012: 107 complaints2013: 58 complaints2014: 25 complaints2015: 37 complaints2016: 45 complaints2017: 46 complaints2018: 14 complaints2019: 15 complaints2020: 46 complaints2021: 11 complaints2022: 16 complaints2023: 4 complaints2024: 6 complaints2025: 2 complaints
Outback transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS FROM THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE LEFT DOOR PANEL BY THE WINDOW REGULATOR DRIVER WINDOW WAS NOT WORKING, THERE WAS NOISE WHEN THE DRIVER PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 1, 2004

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2002 Subaru Outback have?

NHTSA has 20 complaints about the 2002 Subaru Outback transmission — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Subaru Outback transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 02V282000.

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.