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.
Of the 2002 reports, 10 involved a crash. 11 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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
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
147 reports, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 17, 2008
I REPLACED THE LEFT HEAD GASKET (AT A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER) AT 122,000 MILES DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE. AT 123,000 MILES THE RIGHT HEAD GASKET FAILED. I CONTACTED SUBARU BECAUSE I DON'T THINK IT'S COINCIDENTAL FOR BOTH HEAD GASKETS TO FAIL THAT CLOSE TOGETHER. THEY WILL NOT HELP ME BECAUSE OF THE MILES AND BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE THE FIRST WORK DONE AT A DEALER. *TR
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 27, 2008
HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSING COOLANT LEAK FROM ENGINE, POTENTIAL OVERHEATING AND ENGINE FAILURE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 18, 2008
OVERWHELMING ODOR OF GASOLINE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 26, 2008
FOR THE PAST 2 WINTERS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE PASSENGER CABIN FOR THE FIRST 20 MINUTES OR SO OF RUNNING THE CAR IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 25 DEGREES, INCLUDING IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I BROUGHT IT TO MY PRIVATE MECHANIC LAST WEEK, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. IF YOU DO A GOOGLE SEARCH ON "SUBARU GAS SMELL" YOU WILL FIND 25,800 HITS OF PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR SUBARU'S, FOR A VARIETY OF MODELS/YEARS. BASED ON THOSE VOLUME OF COMPLAINTS, I'M VERY SURPRISED THAT THEIR HASN'T BEEN A RECALL? *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 9, 2008
I OWN A 2002 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK WAGON. LAST WINTER (2006-07) I STARTED TO DETECT AN INTENSE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 30 DEGREES F. TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP (NOT A DEALER) BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING THIS WINTER (2007-08). I SCHEDULED TO BRING IT IN TO A LOCAL SUBARU DEALER BUT THEN THE TEMP ROSE ABOVE 30 DEGREES, SO THERE WAS NO POINT IN BRINGING IT IN SINCE THEY WOULD NOT EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. I AM NOW WAITING FOR THE WEATHER TO GET COLD AGAIN SO I CAN BRING IT IN FOR THEM TO CHECK. IN THE MEANTIME, I GOT ONLINE AND FOUND A NUMBER OF OTHER SUBARU OWNERS WHO ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME OF THEM HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM CORRECTED, AND IT APPEARS TO BE A FUEL LINE LEAKAGE (O RINGS OR CLAMPS OR SOMETHING). THEY SEEM TO HAVE DETERMINED THAT GAS IS LEAKING INTO THE AREA UNDER THE HOOD. ONE OWNER DESCRIBED SEEING SPARKS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WONDERING 1) UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES A RECALL IS ISSUED, AND 2) UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES SUBARU WOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR COVERING THE COST FOR REPAIRS. ALSO WONDERING WHAT I SHOULD DO ABOUT TRANSPORTATION UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED, AS I USE THE CAR TO TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN AS WELL AS MYSELF AND DON'T WANT TO PUT US AT RISK OF INJURY. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 28, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 28, 2007
I HAVE A SUBARU 2002 OUTBACK. THE FOLLOWING IS WHAT I PROVIDED TO THE DEALER IN THE LAST VISIT. EARLIER THIS YEAR, BEFORE MY WARRANTY PERIOD HAD EXPIRED, I HAD ISSUES WITH LEAKING FUEL FROM THE FUEL LINES AT THE TOP OF THE ENGINE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I TIGHTENED THE CLAMPS ON THE FUEL LINE AND THE LEAK SEEMED TO STOP. THERE WERE ADDITIONAL SMELLS OF FUEL IN COLD WEATHER SO I BROUGHT MY CARE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TIGHTENED THE CLAMPS AND COULD NOT FIND ANY OTHER LEAKS AND SPAYED A WHITE LEAK DETECTOR ON THE FUEL LINES. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN A FEW WEEKS LATER AND NO ADDITIONAL LEAKS WERE PRESENT. AT THAT TIME, SINCE THE ISSUE ONLY SEEMED TO HAPPEN COLD WEATHER, IF THE ISSUE RETURNED I WAS TOLD TO RETURN TO THE DEALER. THE GAS SMELL RETURNED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO ID THE SOURCE. HOWEVER, DURING HE COLD WEATHER LAST WEEK, I DISCOVERED IN COLD WEATHER SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR THAT THE SAME FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE LEAKING FUEL AGAIN. AFTER I TIGHTENED THE CLAMPS, THE FUEL LEAK STOPPED. SEVERAL CLAMPS WERE LOOSE ON OTHER PARTS OF THE FUEL LINES. THIS IS THE SAME SCENARIO THAT TOOK PLACE IN FEBRUARY '07. TO ELIMINATE ANY FUTURE LEAKS CAN I HAVE THE TSB 09-36-03 WORK COMPLETED ON THE FUEL LINES. THE ISSUE IN MY OUTBACK IS THE SAME AS THE ISSUE NOTED IN THE TSB. HOW CAN I GET THE SAFETY ISSUE ADDRESSED AND REPAIRED BY THE DEALER? *TR
Structure, Dec 22, 2007
2002 SUBARU OUTBACK REAR SEAT LATCH CLIPS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO USE CHILD SAFETY SEATS (6 POINT HARNESS SYSTEM) CLIPS ARE TUCKED TOO FAR DOWN INTO SEATS. NEED EXTENSION CLIP TO ACCESS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 13, 2007
IN MAY OF 2007, MY 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 71,000 MILES FIRST BEGAN HAVING OVERHEATING ISSUES. I TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO A SUBARU DEALER WHERE THEY UNPLUGGED A RADIATOR CAP AND ADDED SPECIAL COOLANT CONDITIONER. 3 MONTHS LATER, THE RANDOM OVERHEATING STARTED AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER. THE RADIATOR CAP WAS REPLACED, BUT THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE OVERHEATING. THEY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. FINALLY, THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS HEAD GASKET FAILURE WITH A WARPED HEAD. THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER FOR OVER A WEEK FOR THE HEAD GASKET REPAIR. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA WHO SAID HEAD GASKET FAILURE WAS COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 98-2002 MODELS, HOWEVER, MY 2002 MODEL FELL OUTSIDE OF THE COVERED VIN #S SINCE IT WAS MANUFACTURED AFTER THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED (NOT ALL OF THE 2002 MODELS WERE COVERED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY). THEREFORE, MY HEAD GASKET REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED BY SUBARU'S EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS FREQUENT PROBLEM. I GOT MY CAR BACK FROM THE DEALER AND ON THE WAY HOME IT OVERHEATED. I TOOK IT BACK IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REASSEMBLED IT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS ASSEMBLED PROPERLY AND REPLACED THE RADIATOR AS WELL JUST TO BE SURE THAT WASN'T THE CAUSE OF THE CONTINUED OVERHEATING ISSUES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON REPAIR AMONG SUBARU OWNERS. SUBARU DECIDED TO GRANT US A "GOOD WILL WARRANTY" TO COVER THE HEAD GASKETS WITH US PAYING A $300 DEDUCTIBLE AND THEY COVERED THE REST OF THE HEAD GASKET REPAIR (THEY DID NOT COVER THE RADIATOR, ETC - WE STILL PAYED AROUND $1,000 OUT OF POCKET FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE, RADIATOR, ETC). I AM HAPPY THEY DID THIS FOR US, BUT IF OUR VIN FELL WITHIN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, WE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO INCUR THESE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. IT IS CLEAR SUBARU HAS A DEFECT IN THEIR HEAD GASKETS DURING CERTAIN YEARS, BUT IT SEEMS THEY NEED TO STAND BEHIND ALL THE CARS AFFECTED, NOT JUST SOME OF THEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 26, 2007
I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE AROUND A CORNER AND WHEN I EASED OFF THE GAS PEDAL IT REMAINED STUCK DOWN. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND BRAKED SO I COULD PULL OVER. I SHUT OFF THE CAR, AND WHEN I RESTARTED IT, THE ENGINE REVVED . I HAD TO PUT MY FOOT UNDER THE GAS PEDAL AND LIFT IT UP TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 18, 2007
2002 SUBARU OUTBACK STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR FROM THE A/C. PEP BOYS CHARGED OVER $1,000 TO REPAIR. THERE WERE NO SUBARU DEALERS IN OUR CITY. WE ARE ELDERLY AND RETIRED. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY SUBARU THAT THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH LEAKAGE ON THE 2.5L ENGINE MODELS. *AK
Air bags, May 2, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 37,000. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION TO THE BATTERY POSITION TO USE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER, AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE FAILURE WAS. *AK UPDATED 06/19/07 *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 3, 2007
IN COLD WEATHER THE BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST TURNED ON. THIS IS TERRIFYING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND BEEN CONFIRMED BY A SECOND DRIVER. AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE THE BRAKES SEEM TO BE NORMAL. WE ARE NOW AFRAID TO USE THE CAR. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 7, 2006
OUR 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK EDDIE BAUER EDITION HAS EXPERIENCED A CONSISTENT BRAKE FAILURE THE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING ON DAYS WHERE THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS AT OR BELOW 45 DEG F. THE FAILURE IS REPEATABLE AS FOLLOWS: AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR INITIALLY SEEMS OKAY WITH NORMAL BRAKE PEDAL FEEL (SOFT BUT NOT STIFF) - IN ABOUT THE TIME IT TAKES TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE THE BRAKE PETAL STOPS RESPONDING AND BECOMES VERY STIFF. ALSO, BRAKE ASSIST DISAPPEARS AND IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT (ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE) TO STOP THE VEHICLE, EVEN ON THE SLIGHT DOWNGRADE OF OUR DRIVEWAY. - UNDER THE FORCE OF GRAVITY, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE CAR TO DRIFT BACKWARD INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT HAPPENS TO BE LOCATED BEHIND THE CAR SUCH AS PEDESTRIANS AND TRASHCANS, FOR EXAMPLE. NO ACCIDENTS OR NEAR-MISSES HAVE OCCURRED AS OF THE TIME OF THIS WRITING, BUT THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT THEY COULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL VEHICLE USE AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN OUR AREA. THE CAR USUALLY COMES TO REST WITHIN 2 TO 3 SECONDS AFTER WHICH THE BRAKES SEEMS TO RECOVER TO NORMAL FUNCTION. - GOOD FUNCTIONALITY SEEMS TO CONTINUE AS LONG AS THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN SITTING IN THE COLD AND/OR AS LONG AS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS WARM. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP TO TWO LOCAL SUBARU DEALERS WHO BOTH INDICATED THEY HAVE NEVER SEE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. ALSO, ONE WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. GIVEN THEIR EXPERT COMMENTARY AND PHYSICAL EVIDENCE IT IS SUSPECTED THAT THE CAR'S BEHAVIOR MIGHT CONSTITUTE AN EMERGING SAFETY FLAW TO THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM. SYSTEM WILL BE REPAIRED BY CONSUMER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED SUBARU CUSTOMER SUPPORT REGARDING THIS MATTER. THEY INDICATED THAT THIS WAS NOT AN OFFICIALLY KNOWN ISSUE PER THE LIST OF NHTSA RECALL ACTIONS; HENCE, THEY TOOK NO ACTION TO REMEDY/INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. SEE SUBARU CASE #: 936244 FOR DETAILS. SEE ALSO NHTSB COMPLAINT #: 10106583. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 14, 2006
OUR MECHANIC FOUND OUR PROBLEM IS A CRACKED HEAD GASKET. MODEL-2002 OUTBACK SUBARU WAGON. WAS TOLD THESE MODELS WERE MADE WITH A THIN HEAD GASKET THAT CRACKS. TOLD TO CONTACT OUR SUBARU DEALERSHIP TO SEE ABOUT A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP SAID, YES A RECALL ON HEAD GASKETS BUT VIN # HAS TO END WITH PROPER 7 LAST DIGITS. OURS, OF COURSE, DID NOT HAVE THE NUMBER THEY WOULD COVER. WAS TOLD THE SERVICE DEPT. HAS BEEN REPLACING THE HEAD GASKETS IN THESE MODELS-AND SUBARU HAS BEEN PAYING 1/2. THIS IS ACKNOWLEDGING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKETS WITH THAT STATEMENT. QUOTED COST OF $1350.00 AND SUBTRACT HALF. BRING CAR IN AND SUBARU WOULD BE CALLED BUT NONE HAS BEEN REFUSED FOR 1/2 THE COST COVERED. CALLED OUR MECHANIC. HE LAUGHED AND SAID- TAKING US FOR A RIDE AS THE PRICE IS JACKED UP SO IT APPEARS SUBARU IS PAYING 1/2 BUT THE CONSUMER IS REALLY PAYING THE FULL COST. OUR TWO YEAR OLD SON, WITH MEDICAL PROBLEMS, HAS BEEN SICK IN THE CAR FROM THE FUMES. AS ANTIFREEZE IS LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET AND SEEPING INTO THE CAR THRU THE HEATING VENTS. IT IS NOT FAIR THAT WE HAVE A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH A CRACKED HEAD GASKET AND OTHER CARS OF THIS SAME YEAR/MAKE/MODEL ARE HAVING THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED AS THEIR VIN # MEETS THE LAST 7 DIGITS. WE HAVE THE SAME ENGINE/MAKE/MODEL AND PROBLEM AS THESE OTHER CONSUMERS BUT WE ARE HAVING TO ABSORB THE COST. WE HAVE TO GET THE CAR FIXED AS OUR YOUNG SON DOES NOT NEED TO INHALE THIS STRONG ODOR WITH HIS PRESENT HEALTH. OUR MECHANIC SAID THE HEAD GASKETS IN THESE SUBARU OUTBACKS ARE TOO THIN AND CRACK. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND IS NOT OUR FAULT. IT IS NOT FAIR THAT OTHER OWNERS OF THE OUTBACK HAVE A CERTAIN VIN # ARE HAVING THEIRS REPLACED WHEN THEY HAVE THE SAME ENGINE AND PROBLEM AS WE DO. THIS IS AN ADDITION TO CONFIRMATION # 10170783-MY HUSBAND SENT.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 13, 2006
THE HEAD GASKET, TOO THIN, ON OUR 2002 OUTBACK SUBARU AND CRACKED. FULL RECALLS HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO OWNERS OF OUTBACK MODELS FROM 2000-2002 FOR CRACKED HEAD GASKETS. VERY STRONG ANTI-FREEZE FUMES ARE SEEPING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. WE HAVE 2 TODDLERS BREATHING IN THESE FUMES-1 HAVING HEALTH PROBLEMS! CALLED DEALERSHIP. YES, IS A RECALL BUT OUR VIN NUMBERS NOT ON THE LIST. WAS INFORMED MANY OF THESE MODELS ARE COMING IN FOR HEAD GASKETS TO BE REPLACED. SERVICE DEPT. SAID SUBARU IS PAYING 1/2 THE COST FOR THE VIN NUMBERS NOT ON THE LIST. SUBARU, THEREFORE, IS ACKNOWLEDGING THERE IS A PROBLEM OR THEY WOULD NOT BE PAYING 1/2 THE COST OF REPAIR. IT IS NOT FAIR THAT CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS TO THE SUBARU OUTBACKS ARE HAVING A TOTAL RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET AND THE REST ARE RECEIVING 1/2 OF THE COST TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. OUR HEAD GASKET SHOULD BE RECALLED AND CORRECTED THE SAME AS OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2000-2002 SUBARU OUTBACKS. TOLD IT WILL COST $1350.00 TO FIX THE CAR AND 1/2 FROM SUBARU WILL MAKE THE COST $675.00. CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKETS ON THESE MODELS. THIS CAR IS AFFECTING OUR ONE CHILD'S HEALTH WORSE SO WE HAVE TO GET IT FIXED. THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED TOTALLY BY SUBARU AS THEY RECALLED OUTBACK WAGONS NO MATTER WHAT THE VIN NUMBERS. THIS IS A HAZARD TO OUR SON'S HEALTH AND WE ARE NOT BEING TREATED EQUALLY WITH OTHER OWNERS OF OUTBACKS THAT HAVE HAD THEIRS REPLACED AT NO COST TO THEM. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ABSORB THE COST OF A PART THAT IS RECALLED ON SOME WHEN CLEARLY MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM
Seat belts, Structure, Oct 10, 2006
EVERYTIME IT RAINS OR GO THROUGH A CAR WASH THE SEAT BELT GETS WET AND IS WORSE WHEN THE SEAT BELT HAS BEEN RETRACTED AS THE WET AREA NOW IS ALL ACROSS YOU. IT APPARENTLY IS MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE SUNROOF. WHAT IS THE REPAIR FOR THIS, NEW SEALS IN THE SUNROOF OR THE ROOF RACK MOUNTING HOLES? *JB
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
Vehicle speed control, May 27, 2006
JUST STARTED CAR AND PULLED UP TO STOP LIGHT AND HIT BREAK PEDAL. ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND THE CAR STARTED FORWARD AND I HAD TO LEAN ON THE BREAK VERY HARD TO STOP. THIS OCCURRED 2 TIMES BOTH AFTER STARTING THE CAR AFTER AT LEAST A 1 HOUR OFF TIME. I THOUGHT AT FIRST IT WAS MY FOOT ON BOTH PEDALS BUT THE SECOND TIME I STOPPED THE CAR WITH MY LEFT FOOT AND WAS NOWHERE NEAR THE ACCELERATOR. I CONTACTED SUBARU BUT THEY DENIED ANY PROBLEM. I PUT IF OFF UNTIL I SAW AN ARTICLE IN ST LOUIS POST DISPATCH TO LETTERS TO TOM AND RAY MAGLIOZZI THE CAR GUYS AND THE LETTER WAS FROM ANOTHER SUBARU OUTBACK OWNER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM
Electrical system, May 19, 2006
THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. I REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT TO SHOW THE LIGHTS ARE OUT. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION THAT BOTH FRONT LIGHTS ARE OUT BUT IT SEEMS TO BE DUE TO ELECTRICAL OR ANOTHER PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTICED MANY OUTBACKS WITH ONE LIGHT OUT FOR THE SAME MODEL YEARS. IT SEEMS TO BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM UNRELATED TO THE BULBS. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 19, 2006
2002 SUBARU OUTBACK (NOT SURE WHICH ENGINE) - NOTICED COOLANT SMELL AROUND NOVEMBER 2005; WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING - THEY COULD EITHER ADD A GASKET "CONDITIONER"'' TREATMENT" - OR I COULD GO WITH THE REPLACEMENT GASKET FOR ~$3000 OR SO. THIS WAS NOT LONG AFTER MY 60K SERVICE, WHEREIN NOTHING HAD BEEN FOUND WRONG. I ALSO NOTED FUEL SMELLS, WHICH THEY NOTED MIGHT REQUIRE NEW FUEL LINE AND FUEL RAIL(?) TO THE TUNE OF ANOTHER ~$650 OR SO. I ASKED ABOUT RECALLS, AND THEY HEMMED AND HAWED - THEY FINALLY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON EARLIER SERIES ENGINES, BUT THAT MINE WAS OUTSIDE THE RECALL GROUP. I'VE SINCE FOUND HUNDREDS, MAYBE THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BY OWNERS OF LATE-MODEL SUBARUS. SOME GET THE REPLACEMENT, BUT THE CAR NEVER RUNS THE SAME AFTERWARDS. MANY ONLY GET A REPLACEMENT OUT OF SUBARU AFTER GOING TO THE DISTRICT OR EVEN NATIONAL LEVEL AT SUBARU OF AMERICA. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 11, 2006
AT 69,013 MILES, THE DRIVER SIDE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING COOLANT. WE FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE ODOR. *NM
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
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 29, 2006
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK SMELT BURNING COOLANT. THEN , STARTED SEEING A LOT OF SMOKE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE ENGINE HOOD AREA. PULLED OVER AND FOUND THAT THE COOLANT WAS EMPTY IN THE TANK. REFILLED WITH FRESH COOLANT AND CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD BACK HOME. CAR WAS SMOKING ALL THE WAY BACK. TOOK IT TO A SHOP, AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN. MECHANIC REPLACED THE HEAD GASKETS AND MACHINED HEADS. COST $1700.*AK