2002 Subaru Legacy Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 13%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 21,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Subaru Legacy, 13% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 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.
“My Subaru Legacy 2002 was recalled for a transmission problem in 2003. This was repaired in feb 2003 by the ca dealer where we purchased the car. In june of 2003 we were transferred by the us coast guard to virginia. On may 12, 2004 I noticed a strange wheel noise and took it to the Subaru dealer in the area for diagnosis and repair. I was told later that the brakes were only 50% worn and that all of the fluids were ok. I was told to pick up my car that night as everything was fine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10073152, filed 2004-05, 37,463 miles“1) check engine light lit;2) hesitation at dangerous times, especially through turns, occasional backfiring;3) three times in shop for warranty work, replacing air/fuel ratio sensor and reprogramming ECM/ecu/PCM.”
NHTSA complaint #10073078, filed 2004-05, 19,374 miles“There were problems with the fuel sensor, fuel train , and control module. The vehicle didn't accelerate, and stalled. The dealer was contacted. Ts scc”
NHTSA complaint #10001050, filed 2002-12, 21,000 miles“I have a 2002 Legacy gt with manual 5-spd transmission. The vehicle frequently stalls or hesitates in first gear. I am an experienced driver of manual-transmission vehicles, and other drivers have confirmed that the car is easily stalled in first gear. I have heard other Subaru drivers complain about this defect, particularly on npr's car talk program. This issue poses a real safety hazard when accelerating into highway traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10030679, filed 2003-08“I have a 2002 Subaru Legacy gt, 5-speed manual. Most of the time the clutch is stiff, but once in a while the clutch becomes extremely easy to push down, (you can use one finger to push in the clutch). Dealer could not find any problem and said clutch was normal. You can tell the difference.”
NHTSA complaint #10055163, filed 2004-01Related recalls
- 02V282000Oct 30, 2002Certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions were produced with an improperly manufactured transmission parking rod…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2001–2003, Outback 2001–2003, Impreza 2002–2003 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
- 10186364Jan 12, 2021This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
- 10150949Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10150924Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10089957Jan 15, 2014Repair procedure for high-pitched sound from extension housing area using latest generation production parts - this bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and…
- 10234828May 22, 2013This Bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and parts information to address a customer concern of a high-pitched sound coming from the transmission extension…
- 10141537May 22, 2013This Bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and parts information to address a customer concern of a high-pitched sound coming from the transmission extension…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 7 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 13 | 9% |
| 2015 | 15 | 9% |
| 2014 | 6 | 11% |
| 2013 | 12 | 18% |
| 2012 | 34 | 38% |
| 2011 | 47 | 28% |
| 2010 | 50 | 33% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 9% |
| 2007 | 1 | 3% |
| 2006 | 8 | 9% |
| 2005 | 13 | 7% |
| 2004 | 2 | 4% |
| 2003 | 5 | 8% |
| 2002 | 7 | 13% |
| 2001 | 2 | 3% |
| 2000 | 14 | 15% |
| 1999 | 18 | 19% |
| 1998 | 14 | 12% |
| 1997 | 17 | 12% |
| 1996 | 8 | 7% |
| 1995 | 9 | 5% |
| 1994 | 5 | 8% |
| 1993 | 9 | 12% |
| 1992 | 5 | 9% |
| 1991 | 16 | 21% |
| 1990 | 14 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2002 Subaru Legacy
15 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSuspension
6 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 30, 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