no report yet
Vehicle speed control: cables
Risk. IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
2002 Subaru LegacyProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 54 owner complaints about the 2002 Subaru Legacy, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 10, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2002 Subaru Legacy has problems
54 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
9Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
8Fuel/propulsion system
7Power train1 crash/fire/injury
7Fuel system, gasoline
6Suspension
6Service brakes, hydraulic1 crash/fire/injury
5Tires1 crash/fire/injury
4Engine
4Vehicle speed control1 crash/fire/injury
108 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 0 |
| Power train | 7 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 7 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 6 | 1 |
| Tires | 5 | 1 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 1 |
| 8 other systems | 10 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2002 Subaru Legacy recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Suspension: rear
Risk. IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Foundation components: master cylinder
Risk. AT THESE TEMPERATURES, THE BRAKES MAY NOT RELEASE AFTER BEING APPLIED, EVEN WHEN THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS NO LONGER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.
Best & worst years
2002 vs. every other Legacy year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Legacy median. How we score
'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2002 Subaru Legacy safety ratings
2002 Subaru Legacy 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (0.0% risk)
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Legacy owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 2 1/2 DAYS. ON COLD START IT MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR DIED. I TOWED IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THEY SAID NOISE WAS INTERNAL MOTOR NOISE. I AUTHORIZED R&R OF THE OIL PAN AND THE FOUND THE #3 ROD BEARING SPUN. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED…
ENGINE BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT AT AN ACCELERATED LEVEL. ONLINE RESEARCH YIELDED A CAMPAIGN FOR REPAIRS THAT EXTENDS THE WARRANTY OF THE KNOWN ISSUE. THE WWP-99 CAMPAIGN COVERAGE WAS DENIED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
STARTED WITH A BURNING SMELL, WHEN HAVING MY CAR INSPECTED, I WAS ADVISED THAT I HEAD A SMALL HEAD GASKET LEAK. (MY CAR WAS RECALLED AND HAD THE STOP LEAK PUT IN IT) OBVIOUSLY IT DIDN'T WORK. THE LEAK IS WORSE AND I AM SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT, WONDERING WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING TO COME FROM TO…
Own a 2002 Legacy?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.