2002 Subaru Outback Problems and Repair Histories
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Subaru Outback
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Repair costs are in local units.
2002 Subaru Outback
Engine not specified
| Subaru Outback in New Hampshire, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2010 | 104000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2010 | 104000 | 700 | Needed a new driveshaft. |
2002 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
212-horsepower 3.0L H6 4-speed automatic AWD
| Subaru Outback in Montana, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2009 | 117000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2010 | 130000 | 250 | Idler pulley bearing went out trashing serpentine belt and bracket that held pulley. Belt $50, Pulley $50, Bracket $120. Stuck wife on road during a trip. I should have replaced pulleys as routine maintenance. My bad thinking dealer did it earlier |
| Apr | 2010 | 137000 | 750 | Axle boots torn. Replaced axles. Also did ball joints as PM. Bought and intended to do struts and shocks, strut and shock mounts while in there for the axles, but ran out of time. |
| Feb | 2011 | 149000 | 1000 | Preventative replacement of front wheel bearings, axle boots, struts. Included reinstallation of old axles, since cheap Chinese replacements vibrated. Parts about $850 (bought online), labor about $1000 including front end alignment afterwards. |
| Jun | 2011 | 153000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2011 | 114000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2012 | 115000 | 775 | Right front boot completely split. Sprayed grease on catalytic converter -nasty smell. Replaced leaking valve cover gaskets. |
| Mar | 2013 | 133000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in Quebec, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2012 | 182900 | 16000 | discs, tie rods,bearing, |
| Subaru Outback in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2009 | 124000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2010 | 135000 | 270 | Outer tie rod needed replacing but had both the outer and inner replaced. |
| Jul | 2010 | 143000 | 220 | Idler pulley seized which fried the belt. Replaced pulley and belt. |
| Aug | 2010 | 144000 | 220 | Cracked CV boots. Had boots replaced and joints regreased. |
| Oct | 2010 | 147000 | 100 | Tensioner pulley seized. I should have replaced when idler pulley seized two months ago. Guess they both have the same bearing life. |
| Dec | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2002 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
190-horsepower 2.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| Subaru Outback in Oregon, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2012 | 80000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2012 | 80000 | 310 | The rubber sleeve on an intake (injection?) had torn, car ran very rough, caused the Engine Light to come on, and stay on. Dealer replaced the part. Car runs fine again. |
| Jun | 2012 | 82000 | 1350 | Timing Belt Replaced. Water Pump Replaced. 2 Belts replaced. Vent on A/C unit fixed. |
| Dec | 2012 | 90000 | 450 | The dash PRND432 light came on and stayed on all the time no matter what gear car was in. |
| Jan | 2013 | 91000 | 0 | One day driving I noticed that my 'gear indicator' row of buttons was all lit. Dealer did some diagnostics, indicating this was a nightmare to repair, but nothing dangerous to drive with. Cost to chase it down was prohibitive. Just driving. |
| Mar | 2013 | 92000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2002 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| Subaru Outback in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2010 | 2000 | Catalytic converter | |
| Subaru Outback in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 144000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2012 | 158000 | 600 | Both left and right front axles need to be replaced. Car was making a lot of noise when pulling into parking spots. Check engine light on. Shop tested the catalytic converters and one is running under efficiency and a connection flange is rotted. Both are only 2 years old. |
| Jul | 2012 | 163700 | 800 | Replace entire exhaust system, both cats and muffler. |
| Jan | 2013 | 167000 | 0 | The new catalytic converter clogged and made the car undrivable. |
| Subaru Outback in Washington, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2011 | 196000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2013 | 219000 | 50 | intermittent miss on cylinders 1 and 2 |
| Subaru Outback in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 135000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2011 | 137000 | 2000 | replaced clutch, front brakes, |
| Jan | 2012 | 143000 | 600 | replace warranty CV replace exhaust replace oxygen sensor |
| Jun | 2012 | 153000 | 190 | Axle replaced |
| Mar | 2013 | 165000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2010 | 146000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2012 | 156700 | 700 | center pipe and muffler fan belt tensioner |
| Mar | 2013 | 163000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in Maine, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2010 | 190000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2010 | 191000 | 300 | Ball joint replaced. |
| Jul | 2010 | 194000 | 2400 | Car threw a rod and the engine pulled and used engine with 75K put in. |
| Aug | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Nova Scotia, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 118420 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2009 | 118420 | 775 | catalytic convertor failing. Subaru part over $1800. Opted for Meineke part @ $775. installed. Engine light coming on again. Subaru says convertor no good. |
| Jul | 2009 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2009 | 89000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2010 | 98300 | 1594 | Exhaust leak |
| Dec | 2011 | 110000 | 350 | Check engine light, O2 sensor replaced. |
| Jan | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru Outback in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2009 | 68000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2009 | 68000 | 0 | The mechanic (independent shop) found a small amount of leaking around the head gasket. This was part of why I decided to trade it in. |
2002 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD
| Subaru Outback in Great Britain | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 140000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2011 | 141000 | 800 | crankshaft pulley separated from anti-vibration core |
| Mar | 2012 | 150000 | 180 | Front calipers seized |
| Feb | 2013 | 135000 | 390 | siezed brake caliper |
| Mar | 2013 | 135000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2009 | 116000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2010 | 118500 | 70 | Caliper sticking, repaired myself. |
| Jul | 2011 | 127000 | 2200 | Brake pads/rotors/calipers replaced on all 4 corners, brake fluid flushed. Transmission pan gasket leaking - replaced. |
| May | 2012 | 135300 | 0 | Warranty replacement of pads/rotors. |
| Jul | 2012 | 137000 | 1550 | Rear sway bar broke. Exhaust system replaced - worn out. Check engine light - Evap system |
| Nov | 2012 | 141000 | 350 | Car was hesitating and not running properly |
| Apr | 2013 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2009 | 258000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2009 | 274000 | 140 | Rattling noise from cracked suspension part. Replaced it. |
| Nov | 2009 | 285000 | 0 | Brake pads and rotors replaced |
| Oct | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 100000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 103000 | 94 | One the keyfobs received in 2002 stopped working in 2010 (1 keyfob all winter, yuck)...decided in 2011 - NEW SET OF KEYFOBS needed. Subaru Buck $100 paid most of the bill...I paid the rest. |
| May | 2012 | 105700 | 200 | 4 parts maintenance-oil change, A/C recharge. Removed a rattling protective metal cover that had rusted out due to OHIO extreme weather conditions - this is the 2nd one that had been removed since 2005, and oil pan cover replaced, torn. |
| Jan | 2013 | 108000 | 447 | 2002 Subaru Outback Limited Wagon. 10 year old Alternator and Battery replaced. |
| Subaru Outback in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2008 | 200 | Replaced radiator and thermostat. | |
| Mar | 2009 | 107800 | 800 | Replaced head gaskets, timing belts, tensioner and idler pulleys. |
| Feb | 2010 | 121000 | 380 | Engine randomly skips and sputters. O2 sensor replaced. |
| Nov | 2010 | 135000 | 1050 | Replace head gaskets and machined warped heads. |
| Jan | 2011 | 138500 | 250 | Replaced a front halfshaft. |
| Nov | 2012 | 175500 | 800 | Worn out lower ball joints replaced. Front struts also replaced and alignment performed. |
| Jan | 2013 | 178000 | 130 | Small part on wiper transmission worn, replaced wiper transmission. |
| Mar | 2013 | 180000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in Manitoba, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2010 | 109120 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2010 | 109740 | 1200 | Replaced timing belt, water pump, and all exterior Vbelts (Power steering etc), preventative maintenance. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2010 | 69440 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2010 | 70060 | 120 | Key fob stopped working. No physical damage to the device. Rear light cluster cracked due to stress from opening and closing the hatch - not fault of owner, rather part design. Did not replace as too expensive. Told by dealer common problem. Rear light housing cluster now has chronic water leaking into it. |
| Apr | 2010 | 76880 | 0 | minor oil leak noted on garage floor. Problem not fixed, for now left and will monitor. |
| May | 2010 | 76880 | 0 | Rear hatch lock unable to insert key as lock mechanism is jammed. Not repaired - left as is. Rear seat no longer able to fold up as jammed mechansim - not repaired. Left as is. |
| Jan | 2011 | 77900 | 0 | Dealer stated head-gasket leak and oilpan leak. Total cost $3500 or 70% of residual value of car, hence repair for now not attempted. |
| Jun | 2011 | 81840 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2002 Subaru Outback 4dr Sedan
212-horsepower 3.0L H6 4-speed automatic AWD
| Subaru Outback in Maine, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2013 | 135000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2013 | 135000 | 750 | Failed thermostat fuel line hoses failed; gas smell |
| Subaru Outback in Tennessee, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2008 | 75000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2009 | 104000 | 150 | Inner CV joint boot broken on right front wheel. Replaced entire half shaft with new for $ 120 and had transmission oil changed. |
| Aug | 2010 | 110000 | 356 | Check engine light was ON.Replaced both upstream oxygen sensors.Problem solved. |
| Jun | 2011 | 120000 | 140 | Replaced Left CV drive shaft due to busted boot. |
| Mar | 2013 | 135000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2012 | 126000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2013 | 126000 | 303 | Accessory belt idler pulley bearing failed. Had that plus belt tension pulley and serpentine belt replaced. |
Expert 2002 Subaru Outback Repair Advice
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What People Are Saying about Problems with the 2002 Subaru Outback
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