2002 Subaru Outback Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 22%of 143 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Subaru Outback, 22% of the 143 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,500 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 to smoother (though bumpy from oxidation below) paint surface. …”
NHTSA complaint #10783939, filed 2015-10, 141,682 miles“Brakes briefly fail in freezing cold weather conditions. 5 or 10 hard pumps have usually brought them back. Very dangerous if you are not expecting it. I never leave my driveway or parking space without repeated pumping to get them working again. We are ski instructors (and this car is marketed for that) but its quite dangerous in freezing weather.”
NHTSA complaint #10327072, filed 2010-04, 77,000 miles“My 2002 Subaru Outback had front rotor failure in 2007-----the fins that hold the rotors together rusted and broke. When you checked the rotor thickness with a micrometer it was fine but when you applied brakes the pressure squeezed the surfaces together and made it feel like the rotors were warped---also undetectable by runout gage.”
NHTSA complaint #10254934, filed 2009-01, 65,000 miles“Dates are approximate, problem is ongoing. Upon initial start-up, in cool/cold weather the brake pedal will be very hard and brakes are very weak requiring tremendous foot pressure with still reduced braking effectiveness. After a period of time and multiple stops brake assist seems to increase and the brakes get stronger or normal. I have researched that this is not an uncommon problem with Subaru cars at higher mileage. It is said to be water in the brake booster hose one way valve. …”
NHTSA complaint #10564698, filed 2014-02, 150,000 miles“In cold weather the brakes do not function when the car is first turned on. This is terrifying. This has happened several times and been confirmed by a second driver. After about a minute the brakes seem to be normal. We are now afraid to use the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10184128, filed 2007-03, 42,500 milesRelated recalls
- 02V079000Mar 12, 2002On certain passenger vehicles, the brake master cylinders may not function properly in ambient temperatures below freezing 32 degrees fahrenheit and lower).Covers: Subaru Outback 2002, Legacy 2002
Related service bulletins
- 11002725Jun 25, 2024This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been…
- 10163525Jul 11, 2019This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 7 | 8% |
| 2024 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 7 | 8% |
| 2022 | 11 | 2% |
| 2021 | 8 | 3% |
| 2020 | 15 | 2% |
| 2019 | 22 | 2% |
| 2018 | 18 | 2% |
| 2017 | 25 | 3% |
| 2016 | 19 | 3% |
| 2015 | 28 | 5% |
| 2014 | 22 | 11% |
| 2013 | 31 | 10% |
| 2012 | 40 | 14% |
| 2011 | 78 | 12% |
| 2010 | 40 | 11% |
| 2009 | 8 | 8% |
| 2008 | 31 | 14% |
| 2007 | 8 | 6% |
| 2006 | 19 | 7% |
| 2005 | 31 | 11% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 7 | 8% |
| 2002 | 31 | 22% |
| 2001 | 30 | 18% |
| 2000 | 12 | 6% |
| 1999 | 9 | 8% |
| 1998 | 15 | 12% |
| 1997 | 9 | 11% |
| 1996 | 7 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2002 Subaru Outback
32 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Subaru Outback
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