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2002 SUBARU Outback

5 recalls Risk Grade: B+ Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #13E065000 Plain English
Component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Manufacturer
Airtex Products, LP
What Happened
The fuel pump in your vehicle is a part that sends gasoline from the tank to your engine. In some aftermarket pumps installed in certain Subaru models, a leak can occur when the tank is full.
Risk if Unfixed
If the pump leaks fuel when the tank is full, and there's an ignition source nearby, it could catch fire, which could cause serious damage or injury.
Free Fix
You'll be notified by Airtex, and they'll replace the faulty fuel pump with a new one at no cost to you. Just wait for their notification and schedule the repair at a dealership or repair shop.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Airtex Products LP (Airtex) is recalling certain model E8598M, E8518M, E8600M, E8596M, and E8597M fuel pumps manufactured July 26, 2013, and July 29, 2013 and used as aftermarket replacements on Subaru Baja's, Outback's and Legacy's. The affected fuel pumps were sold or installed into the aftermarket applications on or after July 26, 2013, and may may leak fuel from the base of a fuel line connection when the gas tank is full.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Original — Remedy
Airtex will notify owners, and will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Recall is expected to begin on January 2, 2014. Customers may contact Airtex at 1-800-880-3056. The recall is expected to begin during January 2014. This recall is being conducted by Airtex, not by Subaru.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #02V282000 Plain English
Component

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
What Happened
The transmission parking rod in your vehicle is a small part that helps hold your car in place when you put it in park. Unfortunately, it was made incorrectly in some models.
Risk if Unfixed
If the parking rod doesn't work, you could shift your car into park and still be able to roll away without warning. This could lead to a crash.
Free Fix
Your Subaru dealer will replace the faulty transmission parking rod with a new one, free of charge. You'll receive a notification letter, and if you take your car in for the repair on a scheduled date, it will be fixed for you at no cost.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION JANUARY 8, 2003. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #02V079000 Plain English
Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
What Happened
The brake master cylinder is like a pump that helps you stop your car. In certain temperatures below freezing, this pump might not work properly.
Risk if Unfixed
If it gets too cold outside, your brakes could stay engaged even when you take your foot off the pedal. This could happen without warning and might cause a crash.
Free Fix
Your Subaru dealer will replace the faulty master cylinder with a new one, free of charge. You should schedule the repair as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND LOWER).
Original — Risk if Unfixed
AT THESE TEMPERATURES, THE BRAKES MAY NOT RELEASE AFTER BEING APPLIED, EVEN WHEN THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS NO LONGER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN OCCUR WITHOUR PRIOR WARNING, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 21, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #03V153000 Plain English
Component

SUSPENSION:REAR

Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
What Happened
The rear suspension subframe in your vehicle is a critical part that helps keep your car stable and safe on the road. Unfortunately, it was painted poorly and could rust out over time, especially if you live in areas with lots of road salt.
Risk if Unfixed
If the subframe breaks while you're driving, you could lose control of your vehicle, which increases the risk of a crash. This could happen if the subframe fails after years of exposure to road salt.
Free Fix
Your Subaru dealer will clean and protect the subframe to prevent further rust and breakage — at no cost to you. You should schedule the repair as soon as you get the recall notice, and if you don't hear back from the dealer within a reasonable time, contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL CLEAN AND RUST-PROOF THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Under Review #04V128000 Plain English
Component

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
What Happened
The cruise control cable in your vehicle helps the cruise control system work smoothly. In some cases, this cable might slip out of its track on the cruise control lever and get stuck on the throttle lever.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, your throttle won't return to idle, and you might lose control of your vehicle. This could lead to a crash.
Free Fix
Your Subaru dealer will install a small clip to keep the cruise control cable in place, ensuring it can't get stuck. This repair is free, and you should schedule it as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER TAB ON THE THROTTLE SHAFT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM COMING OUT OF ITS TRACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1 recall
POWER TRAIN
1 recall
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1 recall
SUSPENSION
1 recall
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 recall

Other SUBARU Outback Years

2019
3 recalls
2018
3 recalls
2017
4 recalls
2016
4 recalls
2015
5 recalls
2014
10 recalls
2013
12 recalls
2012
16 recalls
2011
16 recalls
2010
18 recalls
2009
13 recalls
2008
8 recalls
2007
8 recalls
2006
7 recalls
2005
9 recalls
2004
11 recalls
2003
15 recalls
2001
4 recalls
2000
2 recalls

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