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BH · Wagon

2002 Subaru Legacy

Common problems & what to know before you buy

Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2002 Subaru Legacy.

Recall campaigns
5
Owner complaints
59, mostly engine and engine cooling
Safety record

Recalls on the 2002 Subaru Legacy

Recall·13E065000

Fuel system: fuel pump

The affected fuel pumps were sold or installed into the aftermarket applications on or after July 26, 2013, and may may leak fuel from the…

Recall·04V128000

Vehicle speed control: cables

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL…

Recall·03V153000

Suspension: rear

THIS RECALL APPLIES TO CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE,…

2 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.

Source: NHTSA

Owner complaints

What 59 owners reported

Engine and engine cooling11
Fuel system7
Suspension6
Service brakes6

Source: NHTSA

Specifications

2002 Subaru Legacy at a glance

Trims
GTGT LimitedL
Engine
2.5L Flat-4
Transmission
Manual 5-spd, Automatic 4-spd
Drivetrain
AWD
Fuel
Gasoline
Body style
Wagon
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Other Subaru Legacy years

20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2002 Subaru Legacy?

Owners have filed 59 complaints about the 2002 Subaru Legacy with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. There are 5 recall campaigns covering this model year. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.

Is the 2002 Subaru Legacy reliable?

Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 5 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.

Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 2002 Subaru Legacy?

Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 2002 Subaru Legacy listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.

Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.