2002 Subaru Legacy Problems, complaints & recalls

To whom it may concern. I've purchased a second hand vehicle from New Jersey I live in California. It is 2002 Subaru outback H-6 3.0 with 52,000 miles. Upon delivery I took it to orange coast Subaru for general inspection when it was brought to my attention that there's an open recall from 2004 stating excessive corrosion in the rear sub frame. It applies on vehicles in cold wet states where New Jersey is one of them. Service advisor assure me that all is fine and they marked it as resolved. Upon inspection...

Extreme gas smell in cold weather until car heats up when running heat/defrost. Known issue in other models that warranted a recall.

The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, there was an abnormal sound of metal fragments dropping. The vehicle was seen by an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the underneath of the vehicle was rusted. The contact was unaware of what parts had detached from the vehicle or needed to be replaced. In addition, the vehicle was accelerating independently. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000.

Un-fendered vehicles - I see way too many vehicles allowed to be the outfitted with wide tires outside of the vehicles fenders. Hey! I though tires are supposed to be covered by the vehicle's fenders so they wouldn't throw off rocks, spray or debris into the air at other vehicles on the highway. Those obnoxious bright-blue headlights. Since when do our regulators allow headlights that blind other drivers on the highways at night when switched on low-beam? These might be great for the other driver but they're...

When the vehicle starts going around 55 - 60 mph, the car starts shaking vigorously. The wheel also shakes which also concerns me. Moreover, when I start to slow the car down, a rattling noise constantly shakes my car including my wheel from side to side. I think there might be an alignment problem with my vehicle since my check engine light turns on and off frequently.

I checked under the car and the rear suspension is so rusted it is unsafe to drive . I looked on the internet and it is a common issue. With the amount of unsafe cars driving around with this issue I would say the ball was really dropped on the original recall

I have noticed an inordinate number of cars with led tail lights that the break and/or tail lights do not work. Nothing specific for make or model but it is dangerous! I would really like to see if it is being checked out.

I own a 2002 subaru legacy in western new york, I recently was told there was an issue that was recalled back in 2004 but my car was never notified or addressed of the issue with corrosion. The recall ( nhtsa campaign number: 03v153000 ) I was driving on the high way when I hit a small bump and the back end of the subaru dropped and the tire started to shred causing me to loose control of the car , thank good the car came to a rest in the median and no crash or fatalities occurred.

The fuel lines leak out raw gasoline onto the hot engine any time it is cold outside. I have replaced the fuel line but it still leaks when cold. This is a very great fire hazard.

Tl* the contact owns 2002 subaru legacy. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there would be an odor of fuel entering into the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 13e065000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

A strong fuel smell began entering the car through the heating vents on the car. This has only been noticeable since the temperature dropped below 25 degrees fahrenheit. There was a also a noticeable trail of gasoline in the snow following the car. *Tr

Any time it is cold, around 32f or lower, whether the vehicle is running or not, there is a terrible fuel smell inside the cabin. I have actually witnessed fuel evaporating out my window. I can't imagine this is a safe condition and a short internet search revealed that this is a very common problem. I don't understand why subaru doesn't have to pay to fix this glaring safety issue. *Tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 subaru legacy. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle hydroplaned due to wet road conditions and crashed into a cable guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,500.

The rear suspension is rusty that it has rust holes through it and this is also the that holds the drive in place I have look at other subarus and they are the same way if that breaks it could cause vary bad crash. *Tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 subaru legacy. The contact stated that after the engine was shut off, the external lights remained illuminated. The contact attempted to turn the light switch off. However, the light remained on causing the battery to die. The battery was removed from the vehicle in order for the lights to shut off. The problem recurred multiple times. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic for a diagnosis. The vehicle was no repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vin was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 400,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 subaru legacy. The contact stated there was a strong gasoline odor coming from inside and outside of the vehicle. The contact also stated that when he turned on the heater or defroster, the fumes were extremely strong. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The vin was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.

In very cold weather (<20-25 degrees f) there is a raw fuel smell that fills the interior cabin. This occasionally improved when the engine warms up but returns when restating the car. This is very concerning for a defect that may lead to fire. *Tr

When starting the vehicle "cold" in cold outdoor temperatures (10 f or below) there is a very strong smell of raw gasoline in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The odor is coming into the passenger compartment via the heating/cooling vents; if the heating/cooling fan is turned off the passenger compartment does not become filled with gasoline fumes. The odor is strong enough that I am concerned about the possibility of a fire. The odor is strong enough that after driving the vehicle after a cold weather...

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 subaru legacy. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, smoke emitted from the front driver side door panel and the door caught on fire. The contact maneuvered to the shoulder and notified the fire department. The fire department appeared on the scene to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent repair shop. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 103,000.

Nhtsa ref # 302836, safety issue, brakes rotors rust to point of failure, subaru service told me they were a safety concern. Vin [[redacted]], 2002 subaru legacy l, 43,351 miles, repair parts, subaru, front brakes pn's 26296ae220 & 26300ae00c, rear brakes pn's 26700ae04c & 26696ae020 replaced on all 4 wheels. I have never had to replace brakes on any of the many vehicles I have driven over forty plus years of driving. The service rep looked to see if there was a recall which tells me they have had safety recalls....

2002 Subaru outback legacy, left rear tire failed causing unit 1 to spin, striking the concrete wall with the right rear before coming to rest. *Bf according to the police report, the tire blew out. (Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0414-90)*jb updated 08/06/10 *bf

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 nor neglected and I have service records showing every service done on time. All oil changes were done every 3500 miles. Also.. At 92k miles my car developed a head gasket leak. Subaru has a warranty extension for 99-2002 subaru legacy headgaskets up to 8 years or 100,000 miles. Subaru declined coverage on my vehicle due to vin # being outside of vin # group they had extended. *Tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 subaru legacy outback. When the temperature is below 32 degrees, the brakes fail if the master cylinder is not warmed. The contact must allow the vehicle to warm up approximately five minutes in order for the brakes to function. The manufacturer stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 02v079000 (service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder) and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The repair shop will replace the master cylinder at the cost of $400. The failure mileage was 115,000 and current mileage is 128,000. Updated 3/5/09 *cn updated 03/10/09. *Jb

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

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 subaru legacy. In very cold temperature, the rubber hoses on the fuel lines above the engine become loose. As a result, fuel leaks. The contact had to exit the vehicle and tighten the hose clamps. The dealer and manufacturer stated that they were aware of the defect and that the hose clamps needed to be tightened each time. When he tightens the clamps, the repair only lasts for one month. The failure mileage was 30,000 and current mileage was 46,000.