2002 Subaru Outback

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Service brakes is the leading concern among 147 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 147

Of the 2002 reports, 10 involved a crash. 11 people were injured.

Primary concernService brakes29 reports · 20% of complaints
Owner complaints147Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship5 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Service brakes29
  2. Hydraulic26
  3. Fuel system25
  4. Gasoline23
  5. Power train21
  6. Engine and engine cooling20
  7. Vehicle speed control12
  8. Structure11

Recalls and investigations

  1. Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpNov 29, 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 tank is full.

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

    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.

    Campaign 13E065000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Vehicle speed control, cablesMar 16, 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.

    IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

    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.

    Campaign 04V128000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Suspension, rearApr 22, 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 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.

    IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    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.

    Campaign 03V153000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Power train, automatic transmissionOct 30, 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.

    THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    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.

    Campaign 02V282000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderMar 12, 2002

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

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 02V079000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: power train

21 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Suspension, Power train, Structure, Jul 26, 2016

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND HOLES WERE FORMING. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CROSS MEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION WHILE ON AN INCLINE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION) AND 02V282000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

  2. Power train, Dec 26, 2008

    CLUTCH DEFECTS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED AND NOT REPAIRED BY THE DEALER ON A SUBARU OUTBACK 20002. DEALERSHIP: LIBERTY, 1000 E PARK AVENUE, LIBERTYVILLE, IL 60048 PROBLEM STARTED IN 2003 AND LASTED TO THIS DATE. IN AUG 2008, DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED PRESENT DEFAULT BUT REFUSED TO CONCEDE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM FROM THE START. WHEN THE CAR WAS SERVICED ON MANY OCCASIONS STARTED IN 2003 (OIL CHANGES) WE MENTIONED A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH. THE DEALER BLAMED THE "NEW HYDRAULIC CLUTCH" AND GAVE US THE RUN-AROUND. NOW IN 2008, 3 YEARS LATER, THEY "DISCOVERED" THE CLUTCH PROBLEM AND WANTS TO CHARGE $1,300.00 TO FIX IT. WE REFUSED TO HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE UNDER WARRANTY. ANOTHER GARAGE TOLD US THAT SUBARU HAD ISSUED AN ADVISORY ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT THE DEALER NEVER TOLD US. THE CLUTCH IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAVE DRIVEN MANY MANUAL GEAR SHIFT CARS WITH NO PROBLEMS, HAVING DRIVEN OUR PREVIOUS 1992 SUBARU OUTBACK TO 140,000 BEFORE IT NEEDED A CLUTCH REPAIR. THE CLUTCH ON THE 2002 HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ALMOST RIGHT FROM THE START. WE HAVE SERVICE REPORT DATED 06/17/05 INVOICE # SUCS426989 SAYING: " REF#2 03SUZ : DRIVE LINE - TECK :553 - CUSTOMER STATES AT TIMES VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN LETTING OUT THE CLUTCH AND TAKING OFF, MORE AMPLIFIED AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING. ---INSPECTED VEHICLE, COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONDITION AT THIS TIME- THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE REPORTED THE PROBLEM, BUT IT IS THE FIRST WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM THE DEALER. THERE IS A SECOND WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: DATED 11/28/06, INVOICE SUCS476828, REF J#2 08SUZ CLUTCH ---TECH 42898: CUSTOMER STATES THE CAR IS CHUGGING IN FIRST GEAR - SEE LINE 1 LINE 1 STATES J# 1 40SUZDGRT DIAGNOSIS ROAD TEST - CUSTOMER STATES THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND CAR FEELS LIKE IT WANT TO STALL. PER SCANNER CODE, REPLACE FRONT O2 SENSOR AND REFLASH ECM" AS YOU SEE, THEY BLAMED THE O2 SENSOR AND REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CLUTCH PROBLEM. *TR

  3. Power train, Jul 15, 2008

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BEARINGS IN THE TRANSFER CASE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE MECHANIC; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

  4. Power train, Sep 14, 2006

    AFTER RETURNING FROM A OUT OF TOWN TRIP, WE GOT TO OUR CAR AND STARTED TO DRIVE AWAY AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP BUT DID NOT PROPORTIONATELY INCREASE IN SPEED. AFTER GAINING SOME SPEED THE SYMPTOMS DISAPPEARED. THREE DAYS LATER AFTER SHIFTING FROM FIFTH GEAR TO FOURTH GEAR WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL ON I-70 THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY SLIPPED OUT. THE CAR WAS UN-DRIVABLE BUT WE WERE IN THE LEFT LANE AND THERE WAS NO EMERGENCY PULL OFF ON THAT SIDE SO WE HAD TO MAKE OUR WAY ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE RIGHT EMERGENCY LANE. WITH NO POWER WE COASTED THROUGH CARS FLYING BY HONKING AT 65 MPH. LUCKILY WE MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNHARMED BUT QUITE A FEW CLOSE CALLS. WE SMELT THE SMELL OF A BURNT CLUTCH AND COULD NO LONGER ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION OR MOVE THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD ONLY COAST BACKWARDS. WHILE WE WERE LUCKY SOME OTHER MAY NOT. SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS REFUSED TO ADMIT ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR OTHER THAN A WEARABLE ITEM WEARING OUT. THIS CAR HAS 77,200 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED ONCE BEFORE AT 34,500 MILES UNDER TSB 03-51-02R. WE HAVE OWNED FIVE CARS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS ALL OF WHICH WE DROVE FOR OVER 130,000 MILES AND NOT ONE HAS NEEDED OR HAD A CLUTCH REPLACED. AN EMPLOYEE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN THE PARTS DEPARTMENT STATED TO ANOTHER EMPLOYEE WHILE I WAS ON THE PHONE LINE THAT THE "FLYWHEEL IS MAKING THOSE GO OUT SO THEY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THAT TOO." *JB

  5. Power train, Jan 29, 2006

    5 DAYS AFTER HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED I WAS DRIVING AND CAME TO A STOP LIGHT. AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE BUT VERY SLUGGISHLY. AS I DROVE HOME I ALMOST HAD A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE NON RESPONSIVE CAR. CURRENTLY IT IS AT A SHOP, AND I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED.*AK

  6. Power train, Jul 14, 2005

    I PURCHASED A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON, MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I'M HAVING TERRIBLE CLUTCH CHATTER GOING INTO 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. THIS HAPPENS DAILY, USUALLY FOR THE FIRST 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING IT. THE PROBLEM IS ENHANCED WHEN IT IS WET OR COLD.

  7. Power train, May 2, 2005

    CAR SHUDDERS AND STALLS CONTINUALLY WHEN STARTING IN 1ST GEAR, MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN COLD. HAVE STALLED IN MIDDLE OF INTERECTION MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I HAVE DRIVEN MANUALS FOR 20 YEARS HAVE HAD NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHILCLES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED CAR 6 MONTHS AGO.

  8. Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jan 20, 2005

    DANGEROUS HESITATION IN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS ESPECIALLY. AT STOP LIGHT, UPON ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, CAR BOGGED DOWN, RPMS DIPPED AND NEARLY STALLED BEFORE CAR FINALLY ACCELERATED WITH A VIOLENT JERK FORWARD AND BACK. HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. VERY DANGEROUS-NEARLY BEEN IN THREE ACCIDENTS ALREADY. SO FAR THE DEALER HAS BLED THE CLUTCH, ADJUSTED THE CLUTCH, REPLACED THE CLUTCH, REPLACED KNOCK SENSOR, REPLACED COOLANT TEMP SENSOR AND REPLACED FRONT OXYGEN SENSOR AND PROBLEM STILL AS BAD AS EVER IF NOT WORSE. *JB

  9. Power train, Jan 19, 2005

    THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT CONSUMER THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM *NM

  10. Power train, Visibility, Sep 14, 2004

    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 THE GEAR, AND A GAS SMELL WAS PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATED. *SC

  11. Power train, Jul 19, 2004

    2002 SUBARU WAGON MANUAL TRANSMISSION CLUTCH SHUDDERS ON COLD START. SOMETIMES IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *JB

  12. Power train, Apr 1, 2004

    THE CAR HESITATES ON ACCELERATION, MAINLY IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. CAN BE SEVERE ENOUGH THAT CAR PRACTICALLY STALLS IN INTERSECTIONS. *AK

  13. Power train, Mar 15, 2004

    I HAVE OWNED A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK STATION WAGON SINCE AUGUST 2002, AND HAVE EXPERIENCED A VERY FREQUENT (DAILY TO WEEKLY) BUT INCONSISTENT HESITATION AND SHUDDER WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. IT OCCURS IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, AND IS PRONOUNCED IN COLD STARTS ONLY. THE HESITATION AND CLUTCH SHUDDER ALSO IS PRONOUNCED IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, IN FIRST OR SECOND GEAR - IN THIS SITUATION, THE CAR LUNGES OR LURCHES FORWARD UNTIL THE SPEED INCREASES TO OVER 10 OR 15 MPH. THIS CAUSES A SAFETY CONCERN AT LOW SPEEDS, AND THE START OF ACCELERATION FROM A STOP. HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SUBARU DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE QUITE PROMINENT IN OTHER SUBARU OUBACKS AND OTHER MODELS (BASED ON OTHER NHTSA COMPLAINTS, AND POSTINGS ON THE WWW.UTLIMATESUBARU.NET (SEARCH FOR SHUDDER OR HESITATION AND YOU CAN FIND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS). A TROUBLE FILE HAS BEEN SET UP WITH SUBARU AMERICA. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO PERSIST.*AK

  14. Power train, Feb 19, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING AT LOWER SPEEDS THE CLUTCH INTERMITTENTLY SHUDDERED WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO TWO DEALERS BUT NEITHER DEALER COULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM

  15. Power train, Jan 20, 2004

    SINCE NEW, THE CLUTCH ON THIS VEHICLE HAS SLIPPED WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. IT ALSO OCCASIONALLY SLIPS WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO BE DIFFICULT TO START SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC AND WILL EVENTUALLY WEAR DOWN PARTS UNTIL THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS NOT MADE ANY STEPS TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. MY LOCAL DEALER CLAIMS THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE CLUTCH SLIP AND REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK

  16. Power train, Electrical system, Oct 7, 2003

    KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH COMPARTMENT. ALSO, HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFT GEAR POSITION INDICATOR. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO PUT A TOWEL AT THE WHEEL TO HIDE THE KEYS HOLDER. *AK

  17. Power train, Apr 11, 2003

    I PURCHASED A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK FROM OLDHAM'S SUBARU OF NICHOLASVILLE, KY IN FEBURARY 2003. ON SAT. MARCH 22, 2003, I NOTICED THE CAR HESITATING DURING INITIAL ACCELERATION AFTER A STOP AND THEN WITH ACCELERATION AFTER SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). ON SUN., MARCH 23, 2003 THE PROBLEM BECAME MUCH MORE SEVERE. THE CAR WOULD LURCH INTO INTERSECTIONS AFTER A STOP, AND THEN HESITATE. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL, THEN WOULD LURCH OUT OF THE INTERSECTION. THIS NEARLY CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT, AND I HAD MY 2 YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR. I FINALLY DECIDED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DROVE THE CAR THE NEXT TWO DAYS FOR 7 MILES, THEN 6 MILES, AND SAID THAT THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND DID NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM FOR A WEEK, BUT I AM NOW HAVING THE SAME HESITATION PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. IT IS CLEARLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. MY OWN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROBLEM (WEB RESEARCH) REVEALS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF SUBARU'S MADE IN THE LATE 90'S TO THE PRESENT HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, WITH NO HELP FROM THEIR LOCAL DEALERSHIPS. I HOPE THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN BE INVESTIGATED AND ADDRESSED BEFORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED. *JB

  18. Power train, Feb 6, 2003

    NHTSA#02-V-282-000. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

  19. Power train, Aug 30, 2002, crash

    WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN PARK IT WILL SLOWLY START TO ROLL BACK IN REVERSE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

  20. Power train, Feb 25, 2002

    THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE SKIPS OR SHUDDERS IN 1ST GEAR MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO PULL FORWARD OR INTO TRAFFIC AT SLOW SPEEDS WITHOUT STALLING THE CAR. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO REV THE ENGINE HIGHER THAN NORMALLY TO INSURE CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT WHICH THEN CAUSE THE CLUTCH TO BURN. SOMETIMES EVEN THIS DOESN'T WORK. IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE CAR IS COLD. DEALER SAID IT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED SO IT MUST BE OUR DRIVING, HOWEVER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MANUALS FOR 20 YEARS AND THIS HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM. THIS IS A SCARY CAR TO PULL OUT INTO HEAVY OR FAST MOVING TRAFFIC.*AK

  21. Power train, Aug 30, 2001

    VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH ENGINE RUNNING, EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT ENGAGED. AND IT SUDDENLY WENT FORWARD, ACROSS A FIELD, INTO TREES/ FLIPPED OVER ON ITS SIDE. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $8500.00 NO INJURIES.*AK