Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Subaru Outback. While the vehicle was being serviced, the independent mechanic observed that the entire frame was severely corroded and holes were forming. The vehicle needed a new cross member. The vehicle was not repaired. Also, when the vehicle was shifted into the park position while on an incline, it began to roll away without warning. The failure recurred two times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 03V153000 (suspension) and 02V282000 (power train). The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
After returning from a out of town trip, we got to our car and started to drive away and the engine revved up but did not proportionately increase in speed. After gaining some speed the symptoms disappeared. Three days later after shifting from fifth gear to fourth gear while driving up a hill on I-70 the clutch completely slipped out. The car was un-drivable but we were in the left lane and there was no emergency pull off on that side so we had to make our way across three lanes of traffic to get to the right emergency lane. With no power we coasted through cars flying by honking at 65 MPH. Luckily we made it to the side of the road unharmed but quite a few close calls. We smelt the smell of a burnt clutch and could no longer engage the transmission or move the vehicle, it would only coast backwards. While we were lucky some other May not. …
I have owned a 2002 Subaru Outback station wagon since August 2002, and have experienced a very frequent (daily to weekly) but inconsistent hesitation and shudder while accelerating from a stop. It occurs in 1st and 2nd gear, and is pronounced in cold starts only. The hesitation and clutch shudder also is pronounced in stop and go traffic, in first or second gear - in this situation, the car lunges or lurches forward until the speed increases to over 10 or 15 MPH. This causes a safety concern at low speeds, and the start of acceleration from a stop. Have taken it to the Subaru dealer on several occasions, but they have not been able to fix the problem. …
Dangerous hesitation in first and second gears especially. At stop light, upon attempting to accelerate, car bogged down, rpms dipped and nearly stalled before car finally accelerated with a violent jerk forward and back. Has happened on numerous occasions. Very dangerous-nearly been in three accidents already. So far the dealer has bled the clutch, adjusted the clutch, replaced the clutch, replaced knock sensor, replaced coolant temp sensor and replaced front oxygen sensor and problem still as bad as ever if not worse.
Since new, the clutch on this vehicle has slipped when starting from a stop. It also occasionally slips when shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. This problem causes the vehicle to be difficult to start slowly in traffic and will eventually wear down parts until the clutch and transmission need to be replaced. This is a known problem with this vehicle but Subaru of America has not made any steps to rectify the problem. My local dealer claims they cannot reproduce the clutch slip and refuse to fix the problem.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Subaru Outback. While driving 65 MPH, the contact heard a grinding sound coming from outside the vehicle. A local mechanic stated that the bearings in the transfer case failed. The vehicle was diagnosed by the mechanic; however, the failure recurred three months later. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 60,000 and failure mileage was 55,000.
5 days after head gasket was replaced I was driving and came to a stop light. As the light turned green and I pressed on the accelerator the car did not move. Then all of a sudden the car started to move but very sluggishly. As I drove home I almost had a couple of accidents due to the non responsive car. Currently it is at a shop, and I am being told that the transmission has failed.
The transmission fluid leaks from the engine. As a result, the vehicle stalls without warning. The transmission was replaced twice, however the problem recurred. The left door panel by the window regulator driver window was not working, there was noise when the driver pressed the gas pedal in the gear, and a gas smell was present when the vehicle was accelerated.
Car shudders and stalls continually when starting in 1st gear, more frequently when cold. Have stalled in middle of interection multiple times. This is a manual transmission. I have driven manuals for 20 years have had never had this problem with other vehilcles. This has been happening since I purchased car 6 months ago.
I purchased a 2002 Subaru Outback from oldham's Subaru of nicholasville, ky in feburary 2003. On sat. March 22, 2003, I noticed the car hesitating during initial acceleration after a stop and then with acceleration after shifting into second gear (manual transmission). On sun., March 23, 2003 the problem became much more severe. The car would lurch into intersections after a stop, and then hesitate. The car would not move at all, then would lurch out of the intersection. This nearly caused a very serious accident, and I had my 2 year old son in the car. I finally decided to pull to the side of the road and call roadside assistance. The car was towed to the dealership, who drove the car the next two days for 7 miles, then 6 miles, and said that they found no problems. …
Related recalls
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.
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.
Transmission complaints in other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Subaru Outback, 14% of the model year's 143 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Subaru Outback transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-282 (automatic transmission, Oct 30, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Subaru Outback transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
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.