| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2002 Subaru Outback repairs by problem area
Engine (52%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (14%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (13%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (10%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)
Other (4%)
Chart based on 125 repairs.
2002 Subaru Outback engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (2%)
$1000 - $2499 (16%)
$500 - $999 (18%)
$100 - $499 (43%)
< $100 (21%)
Chart based on 61 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2002 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
212-horsepower 3.0L H6 4-speed automatic AWD
| 144000 mi US $550 |
Valve cover leaking oil over engine, had to replace valve cover gaskets. Took care of replacing spark plugs while everything was apart. |
| 145000 mi US $350 |
Accessory belt worn, pulleys began squealing while engine was running. Bad tensioner and no longer self lubing pulleys could seize easily, had to be replaced along with new accessory belt. |
| 115000 mi US $775 |
Replaced leaking valve cover gaskets. |
| 140000 mi US $100 |
Car overheated in hot stop and go traffic, and climbing a mountain. Was fine in normal driving. I noticed that driver's side radiator fan did not come on. Mechanic found that one of the relays was bad and replaced it. |
| 156000 mi US $138 |
Car overheated again, mostly when going uphill or on very hot days. Pressure checked cooling system, replaced radiator cap and thermostat. |
| 165000 mi | Overheated again, uphill trip. Seemed like 2nd radiator fan was not engaging. Reseated relay, seems better (though I haven't really had a chance to be sure). |
| 177000 mi US $330 |
Replaced canister vent solenoid valve. Check engine light came on, code P1443. Also, car had stumbled immediately after most recent fill-up. |
| 143000 mi US $220 |
Idler pulley seized which fried the belt. Replaced pulley and belt. |
| 147000 mi US $100 |
Tensioner pulley seized. I should have replaced when idler pulley seized two months ago. Guess they both have the same bearing life. |
| 157000 mi US $2300 |
Head Gasket - also had pump & other things replaced as long as they had it taken apart. |
| 223000 mi US $869 |
Valve Covers were leaking. Replaced Valve covers. Also, replaced rack and pinon boot covers. Replaced internal air cabin filters. |
| 234500 mi US $240 |
Transmission mount failed/broke. New transmission mount installed. |
| 140000 mi US $110 |
Had a rough idle in the morning and then it clear up. Had shop keep it over night and they agreed that it did have a rough idle when 1st started but not find anything wrong. Suggested just drive it until something happens. I drove on a 225 mile trip and on the freeway about 140 miles it just passed what was causing the problem and runs fine now. |
| 130000 mi US $250 |
Idler pulley bearing went out trashing serpentine belt and bracket that held pulley. Belt $50, Pulley $50, Bracket $120. Stuck wife on road during a trip. I should have replaced pulleys as routine maintenance. My bad thinking dealer did it earlier |
| 178000 mi US $125 |
rusted exhaust pipe. |
2002 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| 219000 mi US $50 |
intermittent miss on cylinders 1 and 2 |
| 143000 mi US $600 |
replace exhaust replace oxygen sensor |
| 187000 mi | clutch |
| 155800 mi US $700 |
center pipe and muffler fan belt tensioner |
| 157500 mi | Check engine light on. Shop tested the catalytic converters and one is running under efficiency and a connection flange is rotted. Both are only 2 years old. |
| 163300 mi US $800 |
Replace entire exhaust system, both cats and muffler. |
| 157000 mi | The new catalytic converter clogged and made the car undrivable. |
| 118420 mi C $775 |
catalytic convertor failing. Subaru part over $1800. Opted for Meineke part @ $775. installed. Engine light coming on again. Subaru says convertor no good. |
| 68000 mi | The mechanic (independent shop) found a small amount of leaking around the head gasket. This was part of why I decided to trade it in. |
| 98300 mi US $1594 |
Exhaust leak |
| 110000 mi US $350 |
Check engine light, O2 sensor replaced. |
| 194000 mi US $2400 |
Car threw a rod and the engine pulled and used engine with 75K put in. |
2002 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD
| 155000 mi US $150 |
Replaced ignition coil, spark plugs. Replaced valve cover gaskets. |
| 103000 mi US $200 |
Replaced radiator and thermostat. |
| 106000 mi US $800 |
Replaced head gaskets, timing belts, tensioner and idler pulleys. |
| 121000 mi US $380 |
Engine randomly skips and sputters. O2 sensor replaced. |
| 134500 mi US $1050 |
Replace head gaskets and machined warped heads. |
| 165756 mi US $500 |
Replaced head gaskets. Was leaking coolant from driver's side rear lower of head. Research indicated this is common for this type of engine. No problems 8K miles later. Used 6 star head gaskets. |
| 201000 mi US $1500 |
Major maintenance - replace all major gaskets on engine to reduce leaking, spark plugs & wires, replace timing belt and drive belts. Wheel alignment and replaced water pump. |
| 126000 mi £800 |
crankshaft pulley separated from anti-vibration core |
| 137000 mi £400 |
Exhaust wadding ejected |
| 111000 mi US $230 |
replaced upper & lower radiator hoses. Upper hose was leaking at attachment to motor due to bad installation after a different shop replaced timing belt |
| 115000 mi US $2800 |
replace headgaskets, complete timing belt & component service. 120K service, plugs, all filters, all fluids. |
| 76880 mi | minor oil leak noted on garage floor. Problem not fixed, for now left and will monitor. |
| 74140 mi | Dealer stated head-gasket leak and oilpan leak. Total cost $3500 or 70% of residual value of car, hence repair for now not attempted. |
| 105600 mi US $200 |
Removed a rattling protective metal cover that had rusted out due to OHIO extreme weather conditions - this is the 2nd one that had been removed since 2005, and oil pan cover replaced, torn. |
| 109200 mi US $43 |
Oil Change & Check under car for fluid leak. Not sure for what. Wet spots on driveway. Sweet smell. "Add coolant dye. advised to drive 10 days - 2 weeks - return for re-check. |
| 109300 mi US $2070 |
WaterPump, 2 head gaskets, cylinder head bolts, Timing belt, Dexcool antt-freeze, labor. Car running well except for- Power steering whines. Possible Power steering pump issue. |
| 114000 mi US $300 |
Lube, oil filter $26.95, 4 Cooper CS5 Grand $425.68 Touring Tires; Set of Advantage All Season Wiper Blades $32.00 and Valve Lash Adjustment to help eliminate engine noise disc $58.25, replace 4 tires, mount & computer spin balance $76.00. Total 975.25. |
| 120144 mi US $237 |
"code present P0442-Smoke Test required . Smoked Evap System . Traced to 2 leaks. Gas cap & canister Vent Valve. cleared code & test drove ok." |
| 123158 mi US $1387 |
"replaced exhaust from frt Y-pipe manifold all the way back to the flange right before muffler. swapped 1 oxygen sensor & replaced 1 pre-cat oxygen sensor with new welded new flange on muffler." |
| 136700 mi US $1550 |
Exhaust system replaced - worn out. Check engine light - Evap system |
| 140700 mi US $350 |
Car was hesitating and not running properly |
2002 Subaru Outback 4dr Sedan
212-horsepower 3.0L H6 4-speed automatic AWD
| 110000 mi US $356 |
Check engine light was ON.Replaced both upstream oxygen sensors.Problem solved. |
| 149000 mi US $900 |
Valve cover gaskets leaking, both. H6 3.0 engine. Replaced valve cover seals. Also replaced spark plugs since they were already out for Valve cover repairs. |
| 135500 mi US $275 |
Failed thermostat fuel line hoses failed; gas smell |
| 138000 mi US $125 |
Radiator hose. |
| 126200 mi US $303 |
Accessory belt idler pulley bearing failed. Had that plus belt tension pulley and serpentine belt replaced. |
| 127000 mi US $1100 |
Had thermostat and upper and lower radiator hoses replaced. I filled the cooling system with antifreeze myself. |
| 131000 mi US $1500 |
Had valve cover gaskets replaced. Had rusted cooling metal hose replaced. |
| 154000 mi | Had exhaust pipe section cut out, and another piece spliced in. |
| 154000 mi US $1100 |
I scanned engine, found defective oxygen sensor, Had it replaced at shop |
| 157000 mi US $140 |
Oil and filter change with Amsoil 5w/30. Change Amsoil ATF, and transmission filter. Detail under hood. |
| 169000 mi US $175 |
Engine lamp on. Scanned it. Said oxygen sensor bank 2 sensor 1 bad. Brought to shop, had them change that and tighten up catalytic convertor shield. |
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