2002 Subaru Legacy

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #04V128000March 16, 2004127,580 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control: cables

  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.

  Remedy

  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.

• NHTSA recall #03V153000April 22, 2003170,000 vehicles affected

  suspension: rear

  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.

  Remedy

  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.

• NHTSA recall #02V282000October 30, 2002172,564 vehicles affected

  power train: automatic transmission

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #02V079000March 12, 20021,252 vehicles affected

  service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

  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.

  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.

Other model years

• 1990 81
• 1991 78
• 1992 55
• 1993 77
• 1994 60
• 1995 182
• 1996 123
• 1997 139
• 1998 114
• 1999 94
• 2000 94
• 2001 77
• 2002
• 2003 60
• 2004 49
• 2005 184
• 2006 87
• 2007 33
• 2008 65
• 2009 65
• 2010 150
• 2011 167
• 2012 90
• 2013 66
• 2014 53
• 2015 160
• 2016 147
• 2017 119
• 2018 117
• 2019 123
• 2020 121
• 2021 31
• 2022 34