13 of the 71 complaints about the 2002 Subaru Legacy are about the engine — 18% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 51,683 miles.
13
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE
Extreme gas smell in cold weather until car heats up when running heat/defrost. Known issue in other models that warranted a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11509074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTS GOING AROUND 55 - 60 MPH, THE CAR STARTS SHAKING VIGOROUSLY. THE WHEEL ALSO SHAKES WHICH ALSO CONCERNS ME. MOREOVER, WHEN I START TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN, A RATTLING NOISE CONSTANTLY SHAKES MY CAR INCLUDING MY WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE. I THINK THERE MIGHT BE AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF FREQUENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #11297204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
A STRONG FUEL SMELL BEGAN ENTERING THE CAR THROUGH THE HEATING VENTS ON THE CAR. THIS HAS ONLY BEEN NOTICEABLE SINCE THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 25 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THERE WAS A ALSO A NOTICEABLE TRAIL OF GASOLINE IN THE SNOW FOLLOWING THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10670127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE "COLD" IN COLD OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES (10 F OR BELOW) THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF RAW GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR IS COMING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT VIA THE HEATING/COOLING VENTS; IF THE HEATING/COOLING FAN IS TURNED OFF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DOES NOT BECOME FILLED WITH GASOLINE FUMES. THE ODOR IS STRONG ENOUGH THAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE. THE ODOR IS STRONG ENOUGH THAT AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AFTER A COLD WEATHER START MY CLOTHING SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED IN COLD WEATHER. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED TONIGHT AT A TEMPERATURE OF 0 F. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE BEFORE THE DATE ABOVE, BUT I DID NOT REALIZE I COULD FILE A COMPLAINT UNTIL NOW. CONTINENTAL MOTORS, AUTHORIZED SUBARU SERVICED REPORTED ON THE PROBLEM AFTER VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON 2012 DEC 14: "199 CAR DESIGNED TO RUN RICH WHEN VERY COLD. NO PROBLEM FOUND. NO FUEL LEAK NOTED." I AM A FORMER VW MECHANIC AND I KNOW THAT WHEN A VEHICLE RUNS RICH THERE SHOULD NOT BE GASOLINE FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT - SUBARU'S EXPLANATION IS ILLOGICAL.
NHTSA complaint #10489327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 2 1/2 DAYS. ON COLD START IT MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR DIED. I TOWED IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THEY SAID NOISE WAS INTERNAL MOTOR NOISE. I AUTHORIZED R&R OF THE OIL PAN AND THE FOUND THE #3 ROD BEARING SPUN. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED NOR NEGLECTED AND I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS SHOWING EVERY SERVICE DONE ON TIME. ALL OIL CHANGES WERE DONE EVERY 3500 MILES. ALSO.. AT 92K MILES MY CAR DEVELOPED A HEAD GASKET LEAK. SUBARU HAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR 99-2002 SUBARU LEGACY HEADGASKETS UP TO 8 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. SUBARU DECLINED COVERAGE ON MY VEHICLE DUE TO VIN # BEING OUTSIDE OF VIN # GROUP THEY HAD EXTENDED.
NHTSA complaint #10330889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ENGINE BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT AT AN ACCELERATED LEVEL. ONLINE RESEARCH YIELDED A CAMPAIGN FOR REPAIRS THAT EXTENDS THE WARRANTY OF THE KNOWN ISSUE. THE WWP-99 CAMPAIGN COVERAGE WAS DENIED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #10238795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
STARTED WITH A BURNING SMELL, WHEN HAVING MY CAR INSPECTED, I WAS ADVISED THAT I HEAD A SMALL HEAD GASKET LEAK. (MY CAR WAS RECALLED AND HAD THE STOP LEAK PUT IN IT) OBVIOUSLY IT DIDN'T WORK. THE LEAK IS WORSE AND I AM SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT, WONDERING WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING TO COME FROM TO FIX A PROBLEM SUBARU WAS AWARE OF , IE. THE RECALL!
NHTSA complaint #10197408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
COOLANT LEAK. DEALER UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO SEAL. DEALER REPLACED ONE OF TWO HEAD GASKETS($1328.00). DEALER DENIED ANY RECALL. FOUND SUBARU SERVICE PROGRAM WWP-99 ON INTERNET, SAME MODEL YEAR, ENGINE AND PROBLEM. DEALER AND SUBARU ARE DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY SAYING CAR NOT INCLUDED IN VIN RANGE.
NHTSA complaint #10155500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
LEAKING HEAD GASKET.
NHTSA complaint #10151252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FOR 30000 MILES MOTOR WAS QUIET THEN DEVELOPED A SEVERE KNOCK ON COLD START UP THAT ALWAYS LASTS UNTIL THE CAR WARMS UP.
NHTSA complaint #10079133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT;2) HESITATION AT DANGEROUS TIMES, ESPECIALLY THROUGH TURNS, OCCASIONAL BACKFIRING;3) THREE TIMES IN SHOP FOR WARRANTY WORK, REPLACING AIR/FUEL RATIO SENSOR AND REPROGRAMMING ECM/ECU/PCM.
NHTSA complaint #10073078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10047812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM, REAR TIRE, WHISTLING NOISES COMING FROM DOOR AND OIL LEAK.*MR THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE WHEEL. THE REAR HATCH WAS ADJUSTED FOR WHISTLING NOISES, AND THE BRAKES WERE DUSTED OFF TO REPAIR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE OIL FILTER WAS REPLACED AND THE SEAT BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED TO ELIMINATED THE SEATS FROM MOVING WHILE DRIVING. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10040384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.