2002 Subaru LEGACY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
54 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
66,751 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 32 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 54 complaints (14.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 16.7% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 9.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 5.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Suspension: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Engine: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 8
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 22 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2001: 2; 2002: 4; 2003: 9; 2004: 5; 2005: 1; 2006: 4; 2007: 4; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2012: 2; 2014: 6; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10029719 · 2003-07-21 (July 21, 2003)
AFTER RECALL 00V079000 REPAIRS FOR THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS PERFORMED THE DEFECT REOCCURRED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040384 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM, REAR TIRE, WHISTLING NOISES COMING FROM DOOR AND OIL LEAK.*MR THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE WHEEL. THE REAR HATCH WAS ADJUSTED FOR WHISTLING NOISES, AND THE BRAKES WERE DUSTED OFF TO REPAIR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE OIL FILTER WAS REPLACED AND THE SEAT BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED TO ELIMINATED THE SEATS FROM MOVING WHILE DRIVING. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040384 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001050 · 2002-12-17 (December 17, 2002)
THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SENSOR, FUEL TRAIN , AND CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE DIDN'T ACCELERATE, AND STALLED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. TS SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030679 · 2003-08-03 (August 3, 2003)
I HAVE A 2002 LEGACY GT WITH MANUAL 5-SPD TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE FREQUENTLY STALLS OR HESITATES IN FIRST GEAR. I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER OF MANUAL-TRANSMISSION VEHICLES, AND OTHER DRIVERS HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THE CAR IS EASILY STALLED IN FIRST GEAR. I HAVE HEARD OTHER SUBARU DRIVERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS DEFECT, PARTICULARLY ON NPR'S "CAR TALK" PROGRAM. THIS ISSUE POSES A REAL SAFETY HAZARD WHEN ACCELERATING INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10030679 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101784 · 2004-11-29 (November 29, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINEDTHAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10101784 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10489327 · 2012-12-20 (December 20, 2012)
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE "COLD" IN COLD OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES (10 F OR BELOW) THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF RAW GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR IS COMING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT VIA THE HEATING/COOLING VENTS; IF THE HEATING/COOLING FAN IS TURNED OFF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DOES NOT BECOME FILLED WITH GASOLINE FUMES. THE ODOR IS STRONG ENOUGH THAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE. THE ODOR IS STRONG ENOUGH THAT AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AFTER A COLD WEATHER START MY CLOTHING SMELLS LIKE …
Owner-reported narrative. 51,683 miles reported. Look up ODI 10489327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073152 · 2004-05-25 (May 25, 2004)
MY SUBARU LEGACY 2002 WAS RECALLED FOR A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN 2003. THIS WAS REPAIRED IN FEB 2003 BY THE CA DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. IN JUNE OF 2003 WE WERE TRANSFERRED BY THE US COAST GUARD TO VIRGINIA. ON MAY 12, 2004 I NOTICED A STRANGE WHEEL NOISE AND TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU DEALER IN THE AREA FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. I WAS TOLD LATER THAT THE BRAKES WERE ONLY 50% WORN AND THAT ALL OF THE FLUIDS WERE OK. I WAS TOLD TO PICK UP MY CAR THAT NIGHT AS EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE PAPER WORK GIVEN TO ME WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR STATE…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,463 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10630413 · 2014-09-03 (September 3, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, THE EXTERNAL LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF. HOWEVER, THE LIGHT REMAINED ON CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DIE. THE BATTERY WAS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE LIGHTS TO SHUT OFF. THE PROBLEM RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NO REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMA…
Owner-reported narrative. 400,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10630413 at NHTSA ↗