2002 Subaru Outback recalls & complaints

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
Summary: 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.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
Notes: SUBARU RECALL NO. WWQ-01. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
Summary: 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.
Consequence: IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Notes: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND LOWER).
Consequence: 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.
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.
Notes: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: 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.
Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Notes: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

10/03/2018 · Unknown Or Other
THE AIR CONDITIONER BEGINS TO BLOW HOT MOIST AIR AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF WORKING PROPERLY. MULTIPLE MECHANICS INCLUDING A SPECIALTY SHOP CAN'T DIAGNOSE, AND THE ONLY OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE A/C COMPRESSOR BECAUSE THE CLUTCH ISN'T SOLD SEPARATELY. I'VE READ MANY ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME "INTERMITTENT" A/C THAT ONLY WORKS ONCE THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AN…

04/09/2018 · Engine
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE HAD FOUR SEPARATE INCIDENTS THAT MY HEAD GASKET HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR AND GIVEN MY CAR HAS 190,000 MILES ON IT I BELIEVE FOUR ISSUES DEALING WITH THIS SAME SITUATION NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY ADDRESSED. NOT ONLY DOES THIS ISSUE RESULT IN A HUGE OUTLAY OF MONEY BUT IT GETS OIL ALL OVER…

12/04/2017 · Fuel system
WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE GETS BELOW 35 DEGREES, MY CAR SMELLS VERY STRONGLY OF GAS INSIDE. I HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN FOR VENTILATION. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WARMS UP, THE SMELL GOES AWAY. IT IS WORSE WHEN I FIRST STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING. MECHANICS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM BUT I JUST READ MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISS…

07/26/2016 · Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND HOLES WERE FORMING. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CROSS MEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION WHILE ON AN INCLINE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY WITHO…

01/11/2016 · Fuel system
TERRIBLE GAS SMELL. FUEL IS LEAKING BECAUSE IT IS COLD OUTSIDE.

01/01/2016 · Fuel system
WHEN TEMP. OUTSIDE GO BELOW 32 DEGREES, THE INSIDE OF MY CAR FILLS WITH RAW GAS SMELL, THIS HAPPENS EVERY WINTER. I LIVE IN WI. WHEN IT IS ABOVE FREEZING IT IS FINE AND ALL SUMMER IT IS FINE. I AM SO AFFRAID TO HAVE MY GRAND KIDS IN THE CAR. NOT SURE IF THE FUMES WILL EXPLODE.WHEN I AM DRIVING I DO NOT SMELL GAS. BUT IF I STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT IT FIL…

10/21/2015 · Unknown Or Other
I BOUGHT CAR OCT 6; FIRST INSPECTION APPOINTMENT AT MY USUAL GARAGE MON OCT 12- FAILED DUE TO RUSTY SUSPECT BRAKE CONNECTION. SELLER HAD ME TAKE TO HIS DEALER- MASTRIA SUBARU IN RAYNHAM. THEY PUT A PAINT/COATING OVER RUSTY AREA. I WAS PRETTY SKEPTICAL BUT BROUGHT CAR TO MY GARAGE IN VT MONDAY OCT 19 AND THE LEAKY BRAKE FLUID MUCH MORE CLEARLY VISIBLE- DUE…

10/05/2015 · Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME HAD FRACTURED DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATE 01/13/16 MA; UPDATED 4/17…