2002 Subaru Legacy Problems

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

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.

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

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.

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 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

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).

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.

1) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT;2) HESITATION AT DANGEROUS TIMES, ESPECIALLY THROUGH TURNS, OCCASIONAL BACKFIRING;3) THREE TIMES IN SHOP FOR WARRANTY WORK, REPLACING AIR/FUEL RATIO SENSOR AND REPROGRAMMING ECM/ECU/PCM. *AK

I HAVE A 2002 SUBARU LEGACY GT, 5-SPEED MANUAL. MOST OF THE TIME THE CLUTCH IS STIFF, BUT ONCE IN A WHILE THE CLUTCH BECOMES EXTREMELY EASY TO PUSH DOWN, (YOU CAN USE ONE FINGER TO PUSH IN THE CLUTCH). DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM AND SAID CLUTCH WAS NORMAL. YOU CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE.*AK

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK WITH BRIDGE WATER POTENZA RE92 POTENZA 1: 225/60/R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THERE WAS A BLOW OUT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED IN OCTOBER OF 2006. THE FAILURE TIRE WAS RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE TIRES FAIURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

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.

WHEN CHANGING GEARS, THE THROTTLE PEDAL DROPS TO THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE WOULD RACE UP TO 5000 RPMS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WHEN THE THROTTLE STUCK OPEN. DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE BECAUSE IT'S INTERMITTENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *PH

MY SUBARU LEGACY 2002 WAS RECALLED FOR A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN 2003. THIS WAS REPAIRED IN FEB 2003 BY THE CA DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. IN JUNE OF 2003 WE WERE TRANSFERRED BY THE US COAST GUARD TO VIRGINIA. ON MAY 12, 2004 I NOTICED A STRANGE WHEEL NOISE AND TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU DEALER IN THE AREA FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. I WAS TOLD LATER THAT THE BRAKES WERE ONLY 50% WORN AND THAT ALL OF THE FLUIDS WERE OK. I WAS TOLD TO PICK UP MY CAR THAT NIGHT AS EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE PAPER WORK GIVEN TO ME WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR STATED " CHECKED FRONT AND REAR BRAKES; 50% LEFT; HEARD SOME FRONT DIFFERENTIAL NOISE; CHECKED FLUIDS; CHECKED OK." BY MAY 20TH THE NOISE WAS EXTREME AND I MET WITH THE MECHANIC THE NEXT MORNING. HE INSTANTLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE DIFFERENTIAL. I WAS TOLD THAT A PART WOULD HAVE TO BE ORDERED AND I INFORMED HIM THAT THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. ON MAY 24TH I WAS INFORMED THAT THE COST OF THE REPAIR WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $3500 AS A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED AND THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER UNLESS I PRODUCE ALL OF MY SERVICE RECORDS. WE AUTHORIZED THE WORK TO BE DONE AS THIS CAR IS OUR ONLY TRANSPORTATION. MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE SUBARU TRANSMISSION FOR THE 2002 LEGACY MODEL. I HAVE ALSO HEARD OF A WOMAN WHO HAD RECALL TRANSMISSION WORK DONE AND THEN DROVE TO NEW ENGLAND. WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT HER DESTINATION HER CAR HAD PROBLEMS. WHAT WAS UNCOVERED WAS THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN REPAIRED WITH USED PARTS AND HAD FAILED! IS THIS A COMMON PRACTICE WITH SUBARU? WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH SUBARU AMERICA AT THEIR 800 NUMBER AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY UNLESS THE SERVICE RECORDS SHOWED THAT ALL SERVICES HAD BEEN PERFORMED APPROPRIATELY. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LOCATING THESE RECORDS BUT ARE VERY UNHAPPY WITH SUBARU'S ATTITUDE REGARDING A CAR THAT IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD AND IS IN NEED OF A NEW TRANSMISSION. *NM

THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SENSOR, FUEL TRAIN , AND CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE DIDN'T ACCELERATE, AND STALLED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. TS SCC

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.

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM, REAR TIRE, WHISTLING NOISES COMING FROM DOOR AND OIL LEAK.*MR THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE WHEEL. THE REAR HATCH WAS ADJUSTED FOR WHISTLING NOISES, AND THE BRAKES WERE DUSTED OFF TO REPAIR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE OIL FILTER WAS REPLACED AND THE SEAT BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED TO ELIMINATED THE SEATS FROM MOVING WHILE DRIVING. *PH *JB

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.

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BOLTS BECAME LOOSE. *JB

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 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.

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM, REAR TIRE, WHISTLING NOISES COMING FROM DOOR AND OIL LEAK.*MR THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE WHEEL. THE REAR HATCH WAS ADJUSTED FOR WHISTLING NOISES, AND THE BRAKES WERE DUSTED OFF TO REPAIR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE OIL FILTER WAS REPLACED AND THE SEAT BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED TO ELIMINATED THE SEATS FROM MOVING WHILE DRIVING. *PH *JB

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.

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM, REAR TIRE, WHISTLING NOISES COMING FROM DOOR AND OIL LEAK.*MR THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE WHEEL. THE REAR HATCH WAS ADJUSTED FOR WHISTLING NOISES, AND THE BRAKES WERE DUSTED OFF TO REPAIR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE OIL FILTER WAS REPLACED AND THE SEAT BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED TO ELIMINATED THE SEATS FROM MOVING WHILE DRIVING. *PH *JB