2002 Subaru Legacy Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 4%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 251,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Subaru Legacy, 4% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 251,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10451496, filed 2012-03, 103,000 miles“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.”
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 29% |
| 2023 | 1 | 10% |
| 2022 | 3 | 9% |
| 2021 | 5 | 16% |
| 2020 | 15 | 12% |
| 2019 | 35 | 28% |
| 2018 | 40 | 34% |
| 2017 | 30 | 25% |
| 2016 | 51 | 35% |
| 2015 | 37 | 23% |
| 2014 | 11 | 21% |
| 2013 | 6 | 9% |
| 2012 | 4 | 4% |
| 2011 | 19 | 11% |
| 2010 | 12 | 8% |
| 2009 | 4 | 6% |
| 2008 | 9 | 14% |
| 2007 | 5 | 15% |
| 2006 | 17 | 20% |
| 2005 | 25 | 14% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 2 | 4% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 6% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 9 | 8% |
| 1997 | 17 | 12% |
| 1996 | 21 | 17% |
| 1995 | 20 | 11% |
| 1994 | 1 | 2% |
| 1993 | 3 | 4% |
| 1992 | 3 | 5% |
| 1991 | 3 | 4% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2002 Subaru Legacy
15 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology