Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Subaru Legacy, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling9
- Fuel/propulsion system8
- Fuel system, gasoline7
- Power train7
- Suspension6
- Service brakes, hydraulic6
- Tires5
- Unknown or other5
- Vehicle speed control4
- Engine4
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 30 2002 Legacy vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 22 people died inside them, and 10 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2002 Subaru Legacy failed the safety check 2.69% of the time — 34% more often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 134,855 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2002 Subaru Legacy cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (92 kW, 123 hp), 3.0 petrol (154 kW, 207 hp) and 2.5 petrol (115 kW, 154 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 92 kW 123 hp | 54 |
| 3.0 petrol | 154 kW 207 hp | 32 |
| 2.5 petrol | 115 kW 154 hp | 29 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
122 first registered in 2002 are on Dutch roads; 15% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde91
- Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af45
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld40
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen31
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)29
- Licht- donkerscheiding dimlicht onduidelijk29
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt26
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af26
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
87 cars built in 2002 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 181 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 149 of these cars first registered in 2002 took their annual MOT test. 56% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2002 the figure was 58%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2002 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 22.8% | 20.8% |
| Suspension | 17.4% | 15.8% |
| Brakes | 12.8% | 13.6% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 12.1% | 9.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.1% | 6.9% |
| Visibility | 8.1% | 7.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
23 of these cars first registered in 2002 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 275,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
992 2002 cars are on the New Zealand register; 82% arrived as used imports, 15% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 6 variants: combined 11.0–11.9 L/100 km (about 20–21 mpg US), CO₂ 253–274 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy AWD · Compact · Regular gasoline | 12.2 | 9.5 | 11.0 |
| Legacy Wagon AWD · Station wagon: Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 12.2 | 9.6 | 11.1 |
| Legacy AWD · Compact · Regular gasoline | 12.7 | 9.5 | 11.2 |
| Legacy Wagon AWD · Station wagon: Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 12.7 | 9.5 | 11.2 |
| Legacy AWD · Compact · Premium gasoline | 13.6 | 9.8 | 11.9 |
| Legacy Wagon AWD · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.6 | 9.8 | 11.9 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2002 Subaru Legacy.
| 2004094 16 Mar 2004 | Other On certain Legacy, Outback H-6 3.0L and Impreza WRX 2.0L Turbo, the cruise control cable could come out of its track on the cruise control lever and lodge on th… |
| 2003117 30 Apr 2003 | Suspension On certain vehicles operated in the "salt-belt" provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labr… |
| 2002200 5 Nov 2002 | Powertrain On certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, the parking pawl actuating rod ("parking rod") spring retainer may be defective. The parking pawl ma… |
| 2002053 20 Mar 2002 | Brakes On certain passenger vehicles the brake master cylinder may not function properly in ambient temperatures below freezing (0 deg. C and lower). In temperatures b… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AND LODGE ON THE CONTROL LEVER TAB WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AND WILL REMAIN IN AN OPEN POSITION.
THIS RECALL APPLIES TO CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. CERTAIN REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME COMPONENTS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE ROAD SALTS FOR A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS, COULD RESULT IN RUST-OUT OF THE COMPONENT AND POSSIBLE BREAKAGE OF THE SUBFRAME.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "P" (PARK) POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM, THAT IS INTENDED TO HOLD YOUR VEHICLE, MAY NOT ENGAGE.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND LOWER).
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Subaru told its dealers about the 2002 Subaru Legacy: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 636866 | BLOWER MOTOR NOISE. *TT |
| 631748 | SUBJECT REGARDING AUTO DIMMING ELECTROCHROMIC COMPASS MIRROR TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE. *SLC |
| 631490 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE THE HEATED SEATS, LIGHTED VISOR MIRRORS, AND POWER MIRRORS TO BE INOPERATIVE. *SLC |
| 631037 | THIS BULLETIN IS TO ELIMINATE BRAKE SQUEAL NOISE. *TT |
| 627820 | 120-WATT SUBWOOFER INSTALLATION MAY CAUSE TENSION ON PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HEATER HARNESS. *YD |
| 626959 | INFORMATION REGARDING BLOWER MOTOR NOISE. *YH |
| 626953 | INFORMATION REGARDING ROOF RACK/CROSSBAR WIND NOISE. *YH |
| 626926 | INFORMATION REGARDING SEAT BELT LATCH SLIDES TO THE LOWER SEAT BELT ANCHOR. *YH UPDATED *EH |
| 625885 | INFORMATION REGARDING TITANIUM SHIFT KNOB P/N C1010FA100)/ SHIFT PATTERN EMBLEM POSITION. *ET |
| 625884 | INFORMATION REGARDING CHANGE TO 2002MY LEGACY/OUTBACK A/C OPERATION. *ET |
| 625872 | AN EXTENSION FOR THE SEAT HEATER HARNESS DURRING AN ACCESSORY SUBWOOFER INSTALLATION. *ET |
| 623182 | SUBJECT REGARDING KEYLESS ENTRY. *JB |
| 623118 | SUBJECT REGARDING SERVICE MANUAL CORRECTIONS. *JB |
| 11010925 | This annocement is to inform dealers to the Gen 3.1 Head Unit OTA will be available via Wi-Fi. The update will take place in multiple batches with the first beginneing November 15th and the last being Decemeber 3rd. This update is for approximatelt 714,000 VINs. |
| 11009701 | This bulletin details an important regulation issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which impacts the way some vehicles with accessories are sold. This regulation applies to any automobile retailer installing accessories on a vehicle prior to its first sale. |
| 11009685 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 11008283 | This Service Information Bulletin announces the preferred practices to be used when handling vehicles equipped with Gen2 Telematics which are enrolled in the Subaru STARLINK Security Plus Service featuring Stolen Vehicle Recovery Plus with Immobilizer. |
| 11008282 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 11008281 | This Service Information Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines. |
| 11008280 | This Service Information bulletin is being released as guidance for proper testing and charging of vehicle batteries. |
| 11008279 | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. |
| 11008276 | The CP1.5 RCs OTA is available for all mid and high grade CP1.5 head units. |
| 11008267 | This bulletin announces availability of the NEW genuine Subaru engine oil filter. |
| 11008259 | This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement. |
| 11006935 | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure for 2025MY vehicles. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)