Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I bought car oct 6; first inspection appointment at my usual garage mon oct 12- failed due to rusty suspect brake connection. Seller had me take to his dealer- mastria Subaru in raynham. They put a paint/coating over rusty area. I was pretty skeptical but brought car to my garage in vt Monday oct 19 and the leaky brake fluid much more clearly visible- due to smoother (though bumpy from oxidation below) paint surface. I also saw leaking coolant, leaks in oil pan, and a crack in muffler pipe just engine side of muffler (it had been getting noisier and noisier) my mechanic pointed out the timing belt gasket was missing and one bolt 'missing' ; it was sticking out of another 'hole' that was for a fully threaded bolt. The seller has sent long-winded insulting e-mails and states I must return car to him to have the same dealer service it. …
2002 Subaru Outback wagon repeatedly and unexpectedly stalls while driving. Has been ongoing for nearly 2 years. Has been examined on multiple occassions (at least 4) at rye Ford Subaru in rye new york with the ongoing result that the dealership claims to have no knowledge of the problem and unable to replicate. Car was delivered back to dealership on a flatbed after stalling 5 or 6 times in main thoroughfare that resulted in being rear ended by a truck behind me. I have repeatedly informed the dealer and contacted Subaru of America that I believe this is a death trap waiting to happen. I was nearly killed by a narrow miss when the car stalled abrubtly in a snow storm. This is a very very dangerous condition and the cars should be recalled before people are killed.
In 10 degree weather, my 2002 Subaru Outback wagon developed a fuel leak while being driven by my 17-year-old child. This is my second Subaru wagon and the second to have cold weather fuel leaks. I tightened the clamp on the offending fuel line and I hope that is an adequate fix. But it is simply unacceptable that such a dangerous problem has not had a recall, and that it has been happening for 20 years. (my first Subaru with this problem was a 1991 legacy wagon.) how many car fires have resulted from this problem? How many injuries or even fatalities? Please make Subaru take responsibility for a poorly designed fuel line.
I am the original owner of this vehicle and I have had four separate incidents that my head gasket has had to be replaced. This is a costly repair and given my car has 190,000 miles on it I believe four issues dealing with this same situation needs to be properly addressed. Not only does this issue result in a huge outlay of money but it gets oil all over the engine, parts, and driveway that needs to be cleaned. I would appreciate any assistance in this matter.
Drivers side head gasket leaked. Only that side was replaced. On 1/14 both head gaskets started leaking at 59000 miles. With subarus help the dealer charged $ 855.00. The problem is Subaru has a design defect in this engine so those of us who own these cars are going to have to pay for gasket replacements for as long as we own them. By the way the coolant system conditioner is holts radweld stopleak something Subaru will not tell you.
I recently took my Outback in to a local shop for an oil change, and they notified me that the head gasket has started to leak. Took it to the dealership for a second opinion, and they said the same thing. Called four different places, and got estimates for anywhere from $1500-$2100 (after spending $2K on other wear and tear repairs this summer). Every mechanic I spoke with was keenly aware of this problem, which obviously means this is a very common - and expensive - defect!
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Subaru Outback wagon. The contact stated during routine maintenance with a private mechanic, the mechanic advised that radiator fluid was leaking into the exhaust. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 120,000.
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.
Engine complaints in other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Subaru Outback, 15% of the model year's 143 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Subaru Outback engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2002 Subaru Outback, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Subaru Outback engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.