2002 Subaru Outback Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 4%of 143 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 138,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the seat belts of the 2002 Subaru Outback, 4% of the 143 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 138,000 miles.
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.
“Was driving my recently bought 2002 Subaru Outback, when my child who was sitting in the middle seat in the back started screaming that the seatbelt was hurting her and she couldn't breathe. I made an emergency stop at a full service gas station, jumped out and tried getting the seatbelt undone but it was stuck. Ran in and grabbed a mechanic and he was luckily able to release it and he said that the tensioner was bad. This could have been a much worse case if it didn't happen a block from help.”
NHTSA complaint #10397415, filed 2011-04, 138,000 miles“The driver's seat belt is easily unsnapped. The thumb release button is very sensitive, therefore if my arm/elbow touches it, the latch will release. The actual release is designed so that the release button is slightly elevated making this possible. On my 1994 legacy, the button is level or slightly recessed. The seatbelt has released several times under normal driving conditions. It seems in a roll-over, something is going to hit this button, with the possibility of release. Thank you, bob.”
NHTSA complaint #10068526, filed 2004-05“Everytime it rains or go through a car wash the seat belt gets wet and is worse when the seat belt has been retracted as the wet area now is all across you. It apparently is making its way through the sunroof. What is the repair for this, new seals in the sunroof or the roof rack mounting holes?”
NHTSA complaint #10170417, filed 2006-10“When the consumer removed the car seat from the vehicle, she notice the seat belt which was mounted in the roof of the vehicle had cut across half of the width of the belt by the seat belt housing, which caused a tear, the dealer replaced the seat belt under warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10011453, filed 2003-03“Consumer states the location of the seat belt buckle receptacle is so low, that it is very diffcult to buckle seat belt into the receptacle .consumer afraid that in the winter, they will not be able to buckle up, due to more clothing.contacted dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #8019289, filed 2002-09Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% |
| 2016 | 5 | 1% |
| 2015 | 2 | 0% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 8 | 4% |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2002 Subaru Outback
32 complaintsBrakes
31 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 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 31, 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