2002 Subaru Legacy Owner Complaints

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 when I received the car back to my horror the sub frame is corroded to the point of disintegration. I took it back in and I’ve reached out to Subaru of North America where they look into it and concluded that the factory warranty is expired, 5 years 60k miles and they will not fix the recall. Base on my research there’s no expiration on manufacture recall and I’m not sure why they will not take care of it . Please help me navigate this matter. Thank you kindly [XXX] The person at Subaru headquarters info is; [XXX] Subaru of America, Inc. Customer Advocacy Department 1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783) Direct: [XXX] [email protected] Case number [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11516418

Incident

Apr 10, 2023

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

NHTSA ID

11509074

Incident

Nov 1, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID

11441338

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

Mileage

169,000 mi

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 HELL ON SOMEONE'S RETINAS AT NIGHT IF THEY HAVE THE TEMERITY TO BE DRIVING OUT AHEAD. SURELY WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY TO ENFORCE THIS AT THE BRAKE TAG STATION. RAIN-X - WHY DO YOU ALLOW ITW GLOBAL BRANDS TO PUT THIS CRAP ON PEOPLE'S WINDSHIELDS? YOU CAN'T REMOVE IT AND THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP IT FROM SMEARING AND OBSCURING YOUR NIGHT-TIME VISION IS TO USE MORE OF IT. IT'S LIKE GLOBAL BRANDS IS CO-OPTING PEOPLE'S PRIVATE PROPERTY OR HELPING TO BLIND THEM ON THE HIGHWAYS. IF YOU USE THE STUFF AS INTENDED TO BEAD-UP RAIN INSTEAD OF USING WIPERS, YOU'RE BREAKING STATE LAW THAT SAYS YOU MUST USE HEADLIGHTS AND WIPER IN THE RAIN. SPEEDERS - WHAT IS WITH ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAYS LIKE THEY'RE ON METH? DON'T WE HAVE SPEED LIMITS? CAN'T GOVERNMENT USE THE MONEY FROM SPEEDING FINES? ROAD SPRAY - WHY AREN'T TRACTOR TRUCKS AND TRAILERS NOT REQUIRED TO MINIMIZE THE BLINDING WATER SPRAY THEY MAKE ON WET HIGHWAYS? THERE ARE FENDERS AND WHEEL COVERS DESIGNED TO DO THIS.

NHTSA ID

11306403

Incident

Jan 31, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID

11297204

Incident

Nov 15, 2018

Mileage

165,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11067345

Incident

Dec 1, 2017

Mileage

150,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11062478

Incident

Jan 12, 2018

Mileage

112,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10991935

Incident

May 27, 2017

Mileage

165,200 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10819454

Incident

Jan 8, 2016

Mileage

132,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10816861

Incident

Dec 12, 2014

Mileage

180,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10670127

Incident

Jan 4, 2015

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

NHTSA ID

10654508

Incident

Nov 11, 2014

Mileage

68,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10643315

Incident

Oct 6, 2014

Mileage

99,500 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10631459

Incident

Aug 6, 2014

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.

NHTSA ID

10630413

Incident

Aug 19, 2014

Mileage

400,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10561331

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

215,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10561163

Incident

Jan 2, 2013

Mileage

157,000 mi

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 START MY CLOTHING SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED IN COLD WEATHER. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED TONIGHT AT A TEMPERATURE OF 0 F. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE BEFORE THE DATE ABOVE, BUT I DID NOT REALIZE I COULD FILE A COMPLAINT UNTIL NOW. CONTINENTAL MOTORS, AUTHORIZED SUBARU SERVICED REPORTED ON THE PROBLEM AFTER VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON 2012 DEC 14: "199 CAR DESIGNED TO RUN RICH WHEN VERY COLD. NO PROBLEM FOUND. NO FUEL LEAK NOTED." I AM A FORMER VW MECHANIC AND I KNOW THAT WHEN A VEHICLE RUNS RICH THERE SHOULD NOT BE GASOLINE FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT - SUBARU'S EXPLANATION IS ILLOGICAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10489327

Incident

Dec 14, 2012

Mileage

51,683 mi

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 ID

10451496

Incident

Mar 13, 2012

Mileage

103,000 mi

NHTSA REF # 302836, SAFETY ISSUE, BRAKES ROTORS RUST TO POINT OF FAILURE, SUBARU SERVICE TOLD ME THEY WERE A SAFETY CONCERN. VIN [XXX], 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. I ORIGINALLY WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGED AND WHILE IN THE WAITING ROOM A SALES PERSON CAME OUT AND SPOKE TO A PRIEST WHO OWNED A 2008 OUTBACK AND THE SALES PERSON ASK IF HE WANTED TO TRADE HIS VEHICLE BEFORE IT NEEDED BRAKE WORK. MY EXPERIENCE TELLS ME THAT MY BRAKING DISTANCE WAS COMPROMISED BY MANY FEET OF STOPPING DISTANCE. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WAS $966.48. I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTS TO VALIDATE STATEMENTS MADE ON THIS COMPLAINT. I CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA, THEY WE NOT INTERESTED IN MY COMPLAINT IF IT DID NOT MEET ONE OF THEIR TWO CRITERIA WHICH WERE, WAS THE CAR IN WARRANTY OR WAS THERE A RECALL, THEY WERE NOT INTEREST IN UNDERSTANDING A SAFETY PROBLEM, THEY DID OFFER ME $500 FOR A NEW SUBARU . REFERENCE NUMBER FOR SUBARU WAS REF # 1-1103069413. BRAKE ROTOR DESIGN IS OBSERVING THE LAWS OF PHYSICS AND OVER DESIGNING THE ROTOR SO THE HEAT AT FULL LOAD IS NOT SO GREAT TO CAUSE BRAKING FADE AND CONTINUOUS OVERHEATING OF THE BRAKES CAUSING THEM TO RUST. COMPLAINED ON 5/21/10 THE BRAKES WERE MAKING NOISE AND WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY NOTED ON SERVICE WORK ORDER NO RESPONSE FROM DEALER ON BRAKES. THIS VEHICLE IS IN SHOW ROOM CONDITION. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS SAFE DRIVER COURSES AND AWARDS. I HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO LOOK AHEAD IN TRAFFIC AND SLOW THE VEHICLE WITH THE INTENT NEVER TO HAVING TO STOP PREVENTING A REAR END COLLISION AND CONSERVE FUEL. MY CONTENTION IS THE BRAKES ARE DESIGNED TO MEET FULL LOAD WITH NO SAFETY MARGIN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA

NHTSA ID

10360263

Incident

Oct 5, 2010

Mileage

43,351 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10345516

Incident

Jun 23, 2010

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

NHTSA ID

10330889

Incident

May 10, 2010

Mileage

126,955 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10257718

Incident

Nov 1, 2008

Mileage

115,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10238795

Incident

Jul 15, 2008

Mileage

40,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10218019

Incident

Oct 1, 2006

Mileage

30,000 mi