Overview & Reviews

Subaru has expanded the availability of its new 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine to the Outback sedan. The result is two additional sedan trim levels: 3.0-H6 and 3.0-H6 VDC. Minor upgrades to all trim levels this year include a dome light off-delay, an ignition switch illumination ring and wood grain-patterned door switch trim. Cars with the Vehicle Dynamics Control system now have a button to turn the system off, and sedans receive an internal trunk release. The automatic climate control system is upgraded with an air filtration system.

• The security of all-wheel drive, comfortable on pavement, capable on dirt, well-appointed interior.

• Not as capable as an SUV in terms of pure off-road capability, upscale models are expensive.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 143.00

• 

  So-So performance, scary clutch - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By clutchless - July 29 - 10:00 am

  Shortly after purchase has problems getting clutch into 1st/2nd gear. Bad chattering. Tough to drive in stop and go traffic. Clutch shudder made it unreliable busy intersections were getting scary. Dealer where purchased "could not duplicate" denied any problems. Was able to get another dealer to replace clutch assembly. HUGE improvement immediately but problem began again about 12k later. New dealer not that interested to replace again. Worsening clutch and warranty period approaching I traded in for an automatic Forester. Feel like I lost $, and Had to trade down to get rid of t

• 

  Dont think Ill buy another Subaru - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By lilrhody - November 30 - 6:36 am

  This vehicle was my first new car (2000 miles on it when purchased). The "all weather package" is sort of a joke. When the icy weather comes it doesnt clear/keep clear the ice from my windshield. The wipers completely dont touch the windshield after spraying fluid. Heated seats are a plus though. Has been leaking oil/coolant since 90,000 miles +/-. I was told I have a head gasket seal that is failing. Im at 111,000. Oil smell is disappointing when at a light/in park with engine running. Recently had a fuel line leak. Window gaskets are horrendously loud! Front windows only. My husbands 98 Forester had to have the engine replaced at 50,000 miles! I dont know if Ill buy another Subaru.

• 

  Wubaru Wagon 2002 - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By haji - August 29 - 10:00 am

  The car is very rattle prone. Dealer fixed 4 rattles with resistance. Wind and outside noise is uncomfortable. Car handles well in snow. Poor break angle prevents it from doing any serious off road. Premium sound system just doesnt sound right - sounds kind of hollow.

• 

  disappointed - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By d barrow - September 21 - 9:50 pm

  Head gaskets leaking coolant and will not cover under warranty at 80,000 miles -- Subaru has recall/bulletin for same problem on on other VINs but will only cover 50% of an over $1,000 repair. Dual stage rear sunroof liner jams and wont open and wont cover this common problem. Cheap plastic rear cupholders broke and over $65 to repair. Not happy with a vehicle that is expected to run to 200,000 miles!

• 

  Worst car we have ever owned - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Nancy - June 25 - 6:53 pm

  We have gone through brakes like someone goes through socks - not kidding. At 120,000 we had to replace the head gaskets and at that time they said we need new valves. At 130,000 we had to replace both catalytic converters. We cant sell the car without acknowledging the valve problem so I feel we are stuck with it. We will have a completely new car before long and I wonder how long these parts will last. Going online it is evident that some of these problems are ongoing. Subaru has to know and they are not backing their product. Thousands of dollars later we are STUCK! We would NEVER buy another Subaru.

• 

  2002 Outback wagon - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By nhs275 - June 8 - 10:00 am

  Car performance in snow/ice is great. Car has poor passing/climbing performance. WAY too much wind and road noise at freeway speeds.

• 

  Our third and last Subaru - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Moneted - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Exeptional AWD. Came withe bad alignmant (insides of front tires gone-Subaru not responsible), one of the motor mount bolts missing (I discovered it while changing oil at 1000 miles). In general qertionable production line quality

• 

  Good, but... - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By BT Roseville - February 1 - 11:00 pm

  With the exception of the lack of interior legroom front and rear, wind noise and engine issues, this is a good car ;). I had no problems for the first 30,000 miles. I had an independent dealer replace the coolant and my problems started. A small coolant leak developed. The dealer put in the Subaru coolant conditioner and told me that it should be fixed. A couple of months later, there was a big puff of steam from under the hood. The drivers side head gasket was replaced at less than 60,000 miles. No problems until about 80,000 miles. This time an oil and coolant leak from the passenger side - head gasket and cam seal. Out of warranty and out of luck. Likely my last Subaru.

• 

  3rd and Probably last Outback - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Gary B - January 12 - 1:53 pm

  This is the 2nd of three Outbacks I have owned with a head gasket failure. Drivers window does not seal. Engine knocks when cold, acceleration & transmission are sluggish, gas mileage is mediocre. Handling on snowy road not the best. Interior material somewhat cheap.

• 

  2 blown head gaskets 20k miles - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By derek_someda - September 29 - 8:37 pm

  at 2.5 yrs noticed coolant drops in driveway. Problem progressed to wet spot. I thought no big deal that a hose needed to be replaced or clamp tightened. At 3yrs checked under car and found both head gaskets were leaking oil and water. Subaru was out of warranty and said my VIN was not amongst those recalled. Changing the gaskets would be over 3k. They sold me a 6 oz bottle of Subie coolant stop leak that did nothing. I used barrs stop leak with nano tech the last several years. Now it clogged the overfill hose so I cleaned it out. At 60k miles the oil is indicating overfill so I assume the water is now crossing into the engine block and have to get rid of the vehicle.