Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 2002 Subaru Outback: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
For each system: what owners reported, matched against the recalls on file for this model year. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
32 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V079000.
22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
20 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V282000.
11 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V128000.
10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V153000.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on March 12, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 1,252 vehicles across all affected models.
Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on October 30, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 172,564 vehicles across all affected models.
Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on April 22, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 170,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on March 16, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 127,580 vehicles across all affected models.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of November 1, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.