The 2002 Subaru Legacy has 59 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and fuel/propulsion system. Owners most often flag poor fuel economy: described as significantly worse than epa estimates and segment competitors, affecting all models. frequency: very frequent.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Subaru Legacy vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 17 Legacy model years we track, complaint volume runs from 31 (2022) to 182 (2005). With 59 complaints, the 2002 Legacy sits belowthe model's median of 81.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 13E065000Airtex 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 …
vehicle speed control:cables
Campaign 04V128000ON 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.…
suspension:rear
Campaign 03V153000THIS 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,…
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Campaign 02V079000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND LOWER).
Mixed sentiment with a strong generational divide. Long-term owner reports for older generations (pre-2010) frequently praise the 3.0R and 3.6R flat-six engines for smoothness and potential longevity, with some examples cited as reaching…
Owner insights cover all generations of the Legacy. See the full Legacy owner picture and every model year.
Used Legacy listings typically run $11,500–$22,749 across 2003 to 2025 model years.
Compare every Legacy year side by side to see how 2002 ranks against the rest.