2002 Subaru Legacy Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 11%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 165,200miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Subaru Legacy, 11% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 165,200 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“I own a 2002 Subaru Legacy in western new york, I recently was told there was an issue that was recalled back in 2004 but my car was never notified or addressed of the issue with corrosion. The recall ( NHTSA campaign number: 03v153000 ) I was driving on the high way when I hit a small bump and the back end of the Subaru dropped and the tire started to shred causing me to loose control of the car , thank good the car came to a rest in the median and no crash or fatalities occurred.”
NHTSA complaint #10991935, filed 2017-05, 165,200 miles“To whom it may concern. I’ve purchased a second hand vehicle from New Jersey I live in California. It is 2002 Subaru outback H-6 3.0 with 52,000 miles. Upon delivery I took it to orange coast Subaru for general inspection when it was brought to my attention that there’s an open recall from 2004 stating excessive corrosion in the rear sub frame. It applies on vehicles in cold wet states where New Jersey is one of them. Service advisor assure me that all is fine and they marked it as resolved. …”
NHTSA complaint #11516418, filed 2023-04“The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, there was an abnormal sound of metal fragments dropping. The vehicle was seen by an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the underneath of the vehicle was rusted. The contact was unaware of what parts had detached from the vehicle or needed to be replaced. In addition, the vehicle was accelerating independently. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11441338, filed 2021-11, 169,000 miles“The rear suspension is rusty that it has rust holes through it and this is also the that holds the drive in place I have look at other subarus and they are the same way if that breaks it could cause vary bad crash.”
NHTSA complaint #10631459, filed 2014-09“Consumer heard clunking noise coming from rear of the vehicle while driving. Dealer discovered that the shock leaked which caused the vehicle to bottom out.”
NHTSA complaint #10012017, filed 2003-03Related recalls
- 03V153000Apr 22, 2003This recall applies to certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2000–2003, Outback 2000–2003
Related service bulletins
- 11014856Feb 10, 2025Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that affected vehicles, listed below, may have been manufactured with improperly applied paint to the rear suspension sub-frame…
- 11008259Sep 4, 2024This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement.
- 11005593Jul 8, 2024This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2018 | 3 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 3% |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 4 | 4% |
| 2011 | 19 | 11% |
| 2010 | 7 | 5% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 6% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 7 | 4% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 6 | 11% |
| 2001 | 6 | 8% |
| 2000 | 13 | 14% |
| 1999 | 8 | 9% |
| 1998 | 7 | 6% |
| 1997 | 9 | 6% |
| 1996 | 8 | 7% |
| 1995 | 14 | 8% |
| 1994 | 2 | 3% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 5 | 6% |
| 1990 | 3 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2002 Subaru Legacy
15 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsElectrical system
2 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 29, 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