2002 Subaru Outback reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2002 Subaru Outback — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 172
- on record
- Top problem area
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- 20 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 0
- none on record
- Reported harm
- 14 reported crashes · 15 injuries
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#2,921
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Subaru median
-10
median 182 across 97 Subaru records
Vs 2000-2004
-81
median 253 complaints in 771 records
Top component share
12%
Fuel System, Gasoline: 20 complaints
What owners report fails — 2002 Subaru Outback
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 20
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 12
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2002 Subaru Outback
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2002 Subaru Outback units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Subaru Outback reliable?
NHTSA has 172 consumer complaints on record for the 2002 Subaru Outback. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (20 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2002 Subaru Outback units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Subaru Outback?
Owners most often report problems with: fuel system, gasoline (20), service brakes, hydraulic (12), engine and engine cooling (9), vehicle speed control (8). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2002 Subaru Outback?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.