| 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 repair cost distribution
$2500+ (2%)
$1000 - $2499 (12%)
$500 - $999 (20%)
$100 - $499 (48%)
< $100 (19%)
Chart based on 101 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2002 Subaru Outback
Engine not specified
| Subaru Outback in New Hampshire, United States Jan 2010 - Feb 2010 | |||
| Feb 2010104000 miUS $700 | Needed a new driveshaft. | ||
2002 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
212-horsepower 3.0L H6 4-speed automatic AWD
| Subaru Outback in California, United States Dec 2011 - Sep 2018 | |||
| Feb 2012115000 miUS $775 | Right front boot completely split. Sprayed grease on catalytic converter -nasty smell. Replaced leaking valve cover gaskets. | ||
| Aug 2013140000 miUS $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. | ||
| Sep 2014156000 miUS $138 | Car overheated again, mostly when going uphill or on very hot days. Pressure checked cooling system, replaced radiator cap and thermostat. | ||
| Feb 2015161000 miUS $45 | Replaced all 4 headlight bulbs | ||
| Mar 2015162000 miUS $550 | Left front bearing noisy. Replaced bearing and alignef | ||
| Jun 2015165000 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). | ||
| Dec 2016177000 miUS $330 | Replaced canister vent solenoid valve. Check engine light came on, code P1443. Also, car had stumbled immediately after most recent fill-up. | ||
| Apr 2017180412 miUS $847 | Car would intermittently lose gauges, buck if it was in 4th gear, all electrics dim or slow. Happened once in January and then was ok for a couple months. Finally failed completely while on a trip. Towed to AAA mechanic. Replaced alternator, belt, and idler pulley | ||
| Subaru Outback in Quebec, Canada Oct 2011 - Oct 2012 | |||
| Oct 2012182900 miC $16000 | discs, tie rods,bearing, | ||
| Subaru Outback in Florida, United States Feb 2009 - Dec 2011 | |||
| Jan 2010134500 miUS $270 | Outer tie rod needed replacing but had both the outer and inner replaced. | ||
| Jul 2010143000 miUS $220 | Idler pulley seized which fried the belt. Replaced pulley and belt. | ||
| Aug 2010143800 miUS $220 | Cracked CV boots. Had boots replaced and joints regreased. | ||
| Oct 2010147000 miUS $100 | Tensioner pulley seized. I should have replaced when idler pulley seized two months ago. Guess they both have the same bearing life. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Oregon, United States May 2014 - Jun 2014 | |||
| May 2014144000 miUS $550 | Valve cover leaking oil over engine, had to replace valve cover gaskets. Took care of replacing spark plugs while everything was apart. | ||
| Jun 2014145000 miUS $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. | ||
| Subaru Outback in New Mexico, United States Nov 2014 - Jun 2016 | |||
| Dec 2014223000 miUS $869 | Valve Covers were leaking. Replaced Valve covers. Also, replaced rack and pinon boot covers. Replaced internal air cabin filters. | ||
| Oct 2015234500 miUS $240 | Transmission mount failed/broke. New transmission mount installed. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Nevada, United States Nov 2017 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Feb 2018140000 miUS $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. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Montana, United States Feb 2009 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Jan 2010130000 miUS $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 | ||
| Apr 2010137000 miUS $750 | Axle boots torn. Replaced axles. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Texas, United States Aug 2014 - Sep 2018 | |||
| Feb 2017139000 miUS $250 | Replace CV axles driver and passenger side | ||
| Subaru Outback in Minnesota, United States Jun 2014 - Dec 2015 | |||
| Jun 2015157000 miUS $2300 | Head Gasket - also had pump & other things replaced as long as they had it taken apart. leaking hose | ||
| Oct 2015159000 miUS $40 | AC leaking. Found missing O ring (from head gastket work - mechanic) and replaced. Recharged. working | ||
| Subaru Outback in Minnesota, United States Apr 2016 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Nov 2016176200 miUS $700 | Tie Rod end, CV shafts both bad. | ||
| Mar 2017177000 miUS $361 | Rear Wheel Bearing | ||
| Mar 2018178000 miUS $125 | rusted exhaust pipe. | ||
2002 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| Subaru Outback in New York, United States Jun 2011 - Mar 2017 | |||
| Jan 2012143000 miUS $600 | replace warranty CV replace exhaust replace oxygen sensor | ||
| Jun 2012153000 miUS $190 | Axle replaced | ||
| Mar 2015187000 mi | clutch | ||
| Subaru Outback in Washington, United States Jan 2011 - Mar 2013 | |||
| Mar 2013219000 miUS $50 | intermittent miss on cylinders 1 and 2 | ||
| Subaru Outback in New York, United States Mar 2011 - Jan 2013 | |||
| Jan 2012 | Both left and right front axles need to be replaced. Car was making a lot of noise when pulling into parking spots. 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. | ||
| Jul 2012163300 miUS $800 | Replace entire exhaust system, both cats and muffler. | ||
| Jan 2013157000 mi | The new catalytic converter clogged and made the car undrivable. | ||
| Subaru Outback in California, United States Sep 2009 - Oct 2009 | |||
| Oct 200968000 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. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Nova Scotia, Canada May 2009 - Jul 2009 | |||
| Jun 2009118420 miC $775 | catalytic convertor failing. Subaru part over $1800. Opted for Meineke part @ $775. installed. Engine light coming on again. Subaru says convertor no good. | ||
| Subaru Outback in New York, United States Oct 2010 - Jul 2014 | |||
| Apr 2012155800 miUS $700 | center pipe and muffler fan belt tensioner | ||
| Subaru Outback in Ohio, United States Feb 2009 - Jan 2012 | |||
| Jan 2010108300 miUS $1594 | Exhaust leak | ||
| Dec 2011110000 miUS $350 | Check engine light, O2 sensor replaced. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Maine, United States Apr 2010 - Aug 2010 | |||
| May 2010191000 miUS $300 | Ball joint replaced. | ||
| Jul 2010194000 miUS $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
| Subaru Outback in Ohio, United States Jun 2011 - Jul 2017 | |||
| Oct 2011103000 miUS $94 | One the keyfobs received in 2002 stopped working in 2010 (1 keyfob all winter, yuck)...decided in 2011 - NEW SET OF KEYFOBS needed. Subaru Buck $100 paid most of the bill...I paid the rest. | ||
| May 2012105600 miUS $200 | 4 parts maintenance-oil change, A/C recharge. 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. | ||
| Jan 2013108000 miUS $447 | 2002 Subaru Outback Limited Wagon. 10 year old Alternator and Battery replaced. | ||
| Jul 2013109200 miUS $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. Depending on cost for fluid want a/c recharge - address later." | ||
| Aug 2013109300 miUS $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. | ||
| Oct 2013109200 miUS $417 | "10/29/2013. P/S Whine. Could hear slight noise from P/S pump. Also detect slight leak coming from rack & pinion. Replaced P/S Pump. Fill bleed system. Road test. Advised customer to watch for rack & pinion leaking." | ||
| Oct 2014114000 miUS $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. | ||
| Mar 2016120144 miUS $237 | "code present P0442-Smoke Test required . Smoked Evap System . Traced to 2 leaks. Gas cap & canister Vent Valve. cleared code & test drove ok." | ||
| May 2016120981 miUS $300 | Evap System Replaced & new gasoline cap | ||
| Nov 2016123158 miUS $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." | ||
| Subaru Outback in Minnesota, United States Nov 2014 - Sep 2015 | |||
| Mar 2015155000 miUS $150 | Replaced ignition coil, spark plugs. Replaced valve cover gaskets. | ||
| Apr 2015155500 miUS $800 | Ripped CV boots - both replaced | ||
| Subaru Outback in Michigan, United States Apr 2009 - Oct 2011 | |||
| Aug 2009274000 miUS $140 | Rattling noise from cracked suspension part. Replaced it. | ||
| Subaru Outback in New York, United States Feb 2008 - Jul 2013 | |||
| Oct 2008103000 miUS $200 | Replaced radiator and thermostat. | ||
| Mar 2009106000 miUS $800 | Broken swaybar link on rear swaybar. Replaced head gaskets, timing belts, tensioner and idler pulleys. | ||
| Feb 2010121000 miUS $380 | Engine randomly skips and sputters. O2 sensor replaced. | ||
| Nov 2010134500 miUS $1050 | Replace head gaskets and machined warped heads. | ||
| Jan 2011137800 miUS $250 | Replaced a front halfshaft. | ||
| Nov 2012175000 miUS $800 | Worn out lower ball joints replaced. Front struts also replaced and alignment performed. | ||
| Jan 2013177500 miUS $130 | Small part on wiper transmission worn, replaced wiper transmission. | ||
| Subaru Outback in North Carolina, United States Jun 2014 - Apr 2016 | |||
| Feb 2015201000 miUS $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. Repair leaking steering rack by replacing it. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Great Britain Mar 2011 - Apr 2016 | |||
| Apr 2011126000 mi£800 | crankshaft pulley separated from anti-vibration core | ||
| Mar 2012130000 mi£180 | Front calipers seized | ||
| Feb 2013135000 mi£390 | siezed brake caliper | ||
| Apr 2014135500 mi£200 | Starter failed | ||
| Jan 2016137200 mi£400 | Exhaust wadding ejected Steering column u-joint worn | ||
| Apr 2016148000 mi£100 | Leak in via rear light cluster | ||
| Subaru Outback in Massachusetts, United States Sep 2009 - Apr 2013 | |||
| May 2010118200 miUS $70 | Caliper sticking, repaired myself. | ||
| Jul 2011127000 miUS $2200 | Brake pads/rotors/calipers replaced on all 4 corners, brake fluid flushed. Transmission pan gasket leaking - replaced. | ||
| Jul 2012136700 miUS $1550 | Rear sway bar broke. Exhaust system replaced - worn out. Check engine light - Evap system | ||
| Nov 2012140700 miUS $350 | Car was hesitating and not running properly | ||
| Subaru Outback in Washington, United States Sep 2012 - Jun 2014 | |||
| Jun 2013111000 miUS $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 | ||
| Jun 2014115000 miUS $2800 | replace headgaskets, complete timing belt & component service. 120K service, plugs, all filters, all fluids. | ||
| Subaru Outback in California, United States Jul 2012 - Jul 2013 | |||
| Oct 2012165756 miUS $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. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Ontario, Canada Jan 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Feb 201070060 miC $120 | Key fob stopped working. No physical damage to the device. Rear light cluster cracked due to stress from opening and closing the hatch - not fault of owner, rather part design. Did not replace as too expensive. Told by dealer common problem. Rear light housing cluster now has chronic water leaking into it. | ||
| Apr 201076880 mi | minor oil leak noted on garage floor. Problem not fixed, for now left and will monitor. | ||
| May 201078120 mi | Rear hatch lock unable to insert key as lock mechanism is jammed. Not repaired - left as is. Rear seat no longer able to fold up as jammed mechansim - not repaired. Left as is. | ||
| Jan 2011 | Dealer stated head-gasket leak and oilpan leak. Total cost $3500 or 70% of residual value of car, hence repair for now not attempted. | ||
2002 Subaru Outback 4dr Sedan
212-horsepower 3.0L H6 4-speed automatic AWD
| Subaru Outback in Maine, United States Mar 2013 - Jul 2013 | |||
| Apr 2013135500 miUS $275 | Failed thermostat fuel line hoses failed; gas smell | ||
| Jul 2013138000 miUS $125 | The passenger side front inner CV boot split. Radiator hose. | ||
| Subaru Outback in New York, United States Nov 2002 - Jan 2022 | |||
| Oct 2002154000 miUS $120 | Replaced transmission fluid, and transmission spin on filter. | ||
| Jan 2013126200 miUS $303 | Accessory belt idler pulley bearing failed. Had that plus belt tension pulley and serpentine belt replaced. | ||
| May 2013127000 miUS $1100 | Also replaceded rear struts. Had thermostat and upper and lower radiator hoses replaced. I filled the cooling system with antifreeze myself. | ||
| Aug 2013131000 miUS $1500 | I had driver front axle replaced with a rebuilt unit. Had valve cover gaskets replaced. Had rusted cooling metal hose replaced. | ||
| Oct 2013134200 miUS $430 | Replaced front stabilizer links. Also replaced Worn front Drivers seatbelt assembly. | ||
| Sep 2014142000 miUS $1300 | Had rear stabilizer links replaced. Had upper and lower control arm bushings replaced. Had left front wheel bearing replaced. | ||
| Aug 2016154000 mi | Had exhaust pipe section cut out, and another piece spliced in. | ||
| Nov 2016154000 miUS $720 | No charge condition, once car very warm. Had OEM new alternator installed. | ||
| Oct 2017154000 miUS $1100 | Had air conditioning condenser replaced, and system evacuted and recharged. I scanned engine, found defective oxygen sensor, Had it replaced at shop Replace battery hold down hardware | ||
| Jun 2018157000 miUS $220 | I repaired the rust on inner rear inner fenders, and rust on towing hitch. And detailed both rear rims. Oil and filter change with Amsoil 5w/30. Change Amsoil ATF, and transmission filter. Detail under hood. | ||
| Jul 2019160000 miUS $900 | Worn brakes, brake noise. Replaced rotors, pads , calipers, and adjust hand brake | ||
| Nov 2021169000 miUS $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. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Tennessee, United States May 2008 - Aug 2015 | |||
| Nov 2009102300 miUS $150 | Inner CV joint boot broken on right front wheel. Replaced entire half shaft with new for $ 120 and had transmission oil changed. | ||
| Aug 2010110000 miUS $356 | Check engine light was ON.Replaced both upstream oxygen sensors.Problem solved. | ||
| Jun 2011120000 miUS $140 | Replaced Left CV drive shaft due to busted boot. | ||
| Aug 2015149000 miUS $900 | CV boots busted on both front axles. Replaced both front axles, 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. | ||
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