Used 2002 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
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Good Car
This is my second Subaru Outback and I've had no problems with either one. The car has great features and a good fit and finish. My friends are always amazed with the amount of cargo it can carry. It also does a great job hauling my ski's and mountain bikes around.
my outback
great car. fun, handles well, versatile. built right.
- L.L. Bean Edition WagonMSRP: $2,280181 mi away
- VDC WagonMSRP: $4,495307 mi away
- Base WagonMSRP: $2,500324 mi away
a little dissapointed
This is my first Subaru. A little dissapointed after all the great things I've heard. It has alot going for it but I feel it is way overpriced for what you get.$25k for cloth, manual, no moonroof, no homelink, only frt. airbags,anemic stereo, 4 cyl. w/ adequate power at best. Left front brake started squeaking after delivery and still sqeaks horribly. Found out they are notorious for squeaking and warping. MPG has been ok but have never gotten near the posted 27mpg hwy, 25mpg was my best and 23mpg is my avg. going to work and back which is 95% Hwy. I get 24mpg on the same trip with a RX300. However,the Outback is a practical, spacious, nice looking wgn.
A solid, reliable performer
In severe climate my Subaru Outback starts on 20degrees below zero temps, gets 27 miles to the gallon, handles like a sports car on mountain roads and is an outstanding performer on snowy, icy, muddy or rain-slick roads. Not tempermental and thoroughly reliable.......A winner in Vermont and Colorado!
Another Great Subaru
When we lived in Boston, we had only Subarus for over a decade. Moving to California we had access to a fleet of used company cars and bought those. Eventually we had two Mazdas and intended to replace those. However, the Outback won me over. The other replacement vehicle was a Lexus IS300 and in terms of interior comfort and handling, it is not far off. The power is much different but the Outback is quiet and comfortable while providing a practical alternative to the Lexus. All of the things I like about Subaru are still there--and improved.
AVOID the manual transmission
Within 3 months of the purchase date the car developed a severe case of clutch "chatter" in first gear. It was like pulling teeth to get Subaru America to authorize replacement of the clutch and that only happened because the dealer mechanic agreed that the clutch was bad during a test drive! Within 2 months, the new clutch started to go bad. With this many reported problems with the clutch you would think Subaru America would issue a recall. Wishful thinking on my part!
Buy it for comfort and space
I have driven 70K miles in 18 months in West Michigan, mostly on the freeway. The car is exceptional in the snow especially with winter tires, it is quiet and comfortable on the freeway and grip is excellent. The tailgate is 43" wide and you can carry a 48" wide board on an angle. It also pulls medium size trailers effortlessly. My car has had only one problem, which was a blown fan motor caused by a faulty surge protector. Dealer service has been very good. My complaints are that the interior is pretty boring, the car is really slow, and I average only 22mpg.
Great car so far...
We bought our Outback wagon with a 5 speed and the 4 cylinder engine last fall. So far, it's been a great car: in bad weather (especially this past winter in New England), the AWD system is unstoppable. The car is comfortable and convenient and we appreciate the standard heated seats, CD player and power driver's seat. Our only complaints are that it's a little underpowered and the frameless windows generate a fair bit of wind noise at highway speeds.
Problems
We have had too many problems with this car. When applying brakes the steering wheel will shimmy. This only happens when brakes are warm. The air conditioner has quit twice. The grill over the fog light fell off. The windshield has cracked twice in the same place. Dealer has tried to fix problems. It is back at a dealer now for another attempt at fixing.
Outback in the Outhouse
Check at 10K miles engine light prompts trip to dealer. Aux. air injection valve (emissions) failure is indicated. This becomes a recurring failure. Valve is replaced once or twice per month for several months. Finally tech rep calls factory and they suggest re- programming car's brain. This fix works, but then car develops severe knocking in valve train (stuck or gummed lifters?). Get rid of this one before warranty expires.
A Nice Ride
This is a very capable vehicle. I have used mine to haul LOTS of stuff on cross-California trips, sometimes traveling at speeds of 95 mph or more. It provides a very solid, comfortable ride. It's great on the highway. I have used the rack to transport items with no problems. There is some wind noise at times, particularly at speeds over 70 mph. I find that at 165 horsepower, there is plenty of power. I haven't had any problems and I've put on almost 9,000 miles in five months. Gas mileage isnt bad for a car of this size (28 mpg highway @ 65-75 mph).
bought new, wish I hadn't
Outback wagon with 36000, has had two brake jobs, repeated problems with wind noise, problems with 'check engine' sensor system with light coming on repeatedly, twisted gasket in rear wagon window. Generally, a big disappointment. I've owned Subaru's for 20 years and this is the poorest quality one I've ever owned.
Lot's of touble
Since the very beginnig we had trouble with this vehicle. First- brakes: car went to dealer twice ending with complete replacmnet of rotors and pads.Then computer needed to be reprogrammed.After this another two repairs of engine(crazy rpms).At the end complete clutch replacment.What else will I have to repair? I will never recommend this car to anybody.
Excellent car
I bought this car for dependable commuting in all (snowy) weather. It is the most sure-footed vehicle I have ever owned. It has averaged 28 mpg or better under all conditions. Visibility is excellent. It is comfortable on long trips as well. This is a convenient and useful vehicle.
Satisfied
This car was purchased for hauling dogs, people, and anything else. It was driven in adverse weather conditions of E. Oregon and E. Washington and it was unstoppable. I concede that it was driven on open roads and in small towns resulting in less stress than heavy traffic. Overall we have been pretty darn satisfied.
So far, so good
I've had this car for three years - no problems yet. Performs well in snow/wet weather. AWD is idiot-proof. Hauls a ton of stuff with seats folded down. Decent gas mileage -- 30+mpg on one recent long trip. Comfortable for longer trips. Adequate power for freeway; not too zippy around town. Short enough so that roof rack is easily accessible. I wish I would have got all-weather package w/ heated mirrors. Car has survived two minor accidents fairly well. This is the "Swiss army knife" of cars.
disappointed
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 won't open and won't 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!
SUPER CAR--But buy used
Best car I ever owned...until I found out they rented them! Not one problem with the car at all. Little things like the radio controls being too small, the back seats not reclining a bit, etc. But, because they rent them, there are an abundance of current model year units on the used car lots in 6 months. Look to chop off $10 grand in the first year in depreciation. Quite a blow..and something you don't expect in a Subaru. SO, BUY A USED ONE....you can save a ton or look at a Forester (they don't rent them yet). I wish I would have.
Subaru is fun to drive
This has been without a doubt the best car I have ever owned. It has everything anyone could want living in the midwest or any snow belt area. It rides very well, and feels comfortable, for a rugid vehical. The McIntosh audio system is a fabulous feature. Looks, performance and comfort/safety. Its well rounded and complete.
I'm Back With Subaru
After a brief fling with a terribly made Ford Taurus, I'm back with Subaru. Bought it three years old for under half the new price. The wagon seems adequately powered to me, even with the automatic. I can haul my recumbent bike inside, and still sneak my six year old in the split back seat. The handling is a real pleasure, and the brakes are powerful. Averaging 26 mpg in rural driving. Security system can only be disarmed by the remote, and I can't figure out how to disconnect it!
Wubaru Wagon 2002
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 doesn't sound right - sounds kind of hollow.
Not impressed
We bought it for the AWD for VT winters & mud season. Performs well in the elements but not an enjoyable ride otherwise. The clutch is difficult and the interior seating is small & narrow. Have had to replace the breaks several times. Check engine light comes on frequently. Repairs have gotten expensive - one of the worst cars I've owned. I miss my Honda!!
2002 Outback Wagon
After twenty-six months, this wagon is as much fun to drive as it was when purchased. It is comfortable, economical to operate, and handles wellin any weather and on any surface. Cruising at highway speeds all day is noproblem, but it really stands out duringa major snow storm. We look forward to many more years with this vehicle and will very likely belooking for another Outback Wagon when it's time to trade.
wrong-side gas filler
I waited one hour while the dealer lined-up the front end and it's been out of line ever since even after I paid to have it re-aligned at 5k. Never accept a car as NEW with 280 km on it , it will probably always be out of alignment if some lead-foot who delivered it found a nice deep pot-hole for the rich SOB buying it. After 17000k there is a major rattle in the rear-end, the front suspension squeaks and the wire guard on one fog light is long gone.
Not very reliable
We purchased our vehicle new in the summer of 2002. Except for a lack of front-seat passenger leg room it is a fairly comfortable car. Performance is good and with good snow tires it is an amazingly good winter/snowy road vehicle. Furthermore, no trim pieces have fallen off or broken and the build quality seems pretty good. Our problem has been with vehicle reliability. We live in rural North Dakota and out here vehicle breakdowns can be downright life threatening. The Outback will leave you on the side of the road and it will leave you there often. During the 4.5 years weve had the Subaru it has broken and undriveable at least 10 times.
Great wagon
I've had an SUV, traded in for the wagon and I really am impressed. On the freeway, 70mph to 100mph is way too easy to reach in my 5 speed tranny and seems effortless. The best part is the AWD system in the snow! No more snowchains (unless it's blizzard outside). Backseat can be folded down to increase trunk space and I've able to move one bedroom worth of stuff (besides the bed and big furnitures) in one trip. Though the leather seats isn't the most comfortable thing in the long drive despite all the different seating positions adjusted. Fuel economy is pretty good for this size car.
My subaru
This is the best car I have ever owned. Handles awesomely in the rain, snow, ice and dry pavement. I can't think of a better car I would want to own.
Quality
1st 6 cylinder Subaru I've owned. Justifies the higher price absolutely! By far the best and safest Subaru I've owned. A"Can Do" sedan in the SUV world. You own the pavement in comfort in this car.
Almost a Great Car
Had the clutch "shudder" early and dealer eventually fixed it after repeated failed attempts to duplicate the problem. No problems since it was replaced. Wind noise on highway is annoying. Leg room in rear seats is too small. Mileage hasn't been up to advertised. Never gotten more than 26 mpg and usually it's only 20-22, even on highway. Great in snow, suspension and tire life are fantastic, extremely versatile, brakes are decent, winter package and amenities make this a real enjoyable car overall and I have found it reliable.
Good car, but...
Had this car 5 years & like it. Really like the way it hugs the road & handles curves with low center of gravity due to "pancake engine". 4 cyl engine a little lacking in "get up & go." Love the AWD; I've driven in snow and sand, NEVER put on chains. Interior comfort just OK; still find myself wanting better place to put my elbows while driving. No one wants to ride in middle of back seat. No major mechanical repairs in 5 years, but have had minor oil seepage for last couple years - not enough to drop oil level, but enough to produce burning oil smell from engine & can't find source. CHECK ENGINE & AT OIL TEMP lights keep coming on though no malfunction & no one can figure out why. Annoying.
Excellent small AWD
This is my 1st Subaru, having had a number of Honda's before, I would rate this cars quality as equal, if not better than any of them. The ride is very solid and quiet, yet fun to drive, even with the automatic. 24.5 MPG average in 3300 miles. No defects or problems so far. I shopped the 02 Honda CRV also but found the Outback to be more refined and a better value.
2002 Outback wagon
Car performance in snow/ice is great. Car has poor passing/climbing performance. WAY too much wind and road noise at freeway speeds.
So-So performance, scary clutch
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
Inexpensive but underpowered
I like my Outback, but I wish it had more power for the price. Gas mileage is only average - maybe 23 mpg, and that's not lead footing it either. Mine developed several interior rattles after just 10,000 gentle highway and around town miles. It's a decent car, hauls a lot of gear, but I won't buy another until they boost the power of the 4 cylinder because there's no way I'll pay $28K - $30K for the H6! (Might as well get a used XC70 or a nicer new Passat 4motion for that price...)
Subaru listens to it's owners
Have 2500 miles on the Outback, had a GL w/200k before. This is a great improvement, the car is significantly quieter, and the torque acceleration is much much improved. The entrance/exit is tough, and could be improved by memory settings so it would slide the seat back and forward when you exit and enter. Non multi-port FI leaves the occasional accelerate/decelerate bounce in slow traffic. Overall I really like the car.
Subaru OutBack Kangaroo
No problems after 1 year :)
Think Again
This car is not what it is what I would call a family friendly car. At best at 3200 miles it gets 20 mpg on the highway and 17 in the city. It appears Subaru went cheap and is riding on their reputation rather than giving us a safe car. It is designed so that you have to take your eyes off the road to check if you are in cruise, the windshield heater is on or off, if the wheel is tilted the slightest you cannot see the turn signal indicators. There is no safety hooks for the middle seat for a child restraint system. Only on the outboard. An unsafe vehicle for this reason. It mpg is not much better than a Ford Explorer.
Wanting to Love My Car
I did a lot of research and test drove many cars before settling on the Outback. I liked the reputation Subaru had and the smoothness of the ride was very important for me with some medical issues. The Forester was a little too rough. I took great care of it but brakes went at 30K. Trunk cover/shade broke at 60K despite being gentle and not used much. Headgasket went at 90K. Catalytic converter went at 106K. I'm done now with Subaru, as much as I want to believe in them. I spoke with my mechanic about them and he said his experience is that they are either great for you and last, or you end up with one that's not up to par.I'm in the later. Sadly, I think this is my last Subaru.
14-Month Review
Have completed 14 months / 17,000 miles in my H4/5spd Outback. Absolutely zero problems. A delightful car to drive. This is primarily my commuter car, but we occasionally press it into family service for weekend trips, especially for winter driving. I would recommend the Outback to anyone considering this type of vehicle. Glad I ditched my SUV!
Just don't want to sell it
It' s not a car it is more like a family member. Blackie his name ,now you know his color, took me through everything, when I bought it my then 7 year old daughter was delighted to stand on the back seat and be just tall enough to look out the larger of the 2 sunroofs (we were in the driveway) . Now she is in college and it was her first car. I wanted her to drive a car she was safe in. Now it's back to me, with only one small dent ( she didn't see the pole when she backed up and came home in tears, I told her no big deal and she thanked me and became a really good driver. I just bought a Lexus and my wife said it's time to sell Blackie. But to me it's a family member and I just can't say goodbye!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
GREAT!
The Outback Sedan 4 cyl is great. When i bought it, the 6er was not out yet.
Like it so far
Currently we only have 6000 miles on the car, and so far it is very enjoyable. The ride is very smooth and sure.
Lemon Law Quality
TERRIBLE car! HUGE mistake! From day 1, I had nothing but problems with my Outback. White smoke constantly poured from the exhaust, it stalled while driving(this is an auto trans-not a manual!), & countless other mechanical problems. In 3 mos it was at the dealership for repairs 6 times. Subaru claimed there were no problems with it, but they did replace several items to repair the problems they said did not exist. EXTREMELY overpriced compact car, TERRIBLE mpg, SMALL interior. Subaru's Customer Service was deplorable. They didn't care to solve any of the problems I had with the car. I now have a 2002 Chevy Tahoe Z71 that I LOVE!
Lots of rattles&whistles
This 2001 LL Bean is my 2nd subaru. However, I probably won't buy another due to all the rattles and wind noise in my Bean. This after barely 11,000 miles. These are body integrity noises which are proving nearly impossible to find. My 1992 Miata is quiter than this rattletrap. If you put ear plugs on the car drives fine, has plenty of power, and looks (imho) great. It excells on the road until you get a side wind or pass a large truck, then it sounds like waxed paper on a pocket comb. These cars are sold by GM dealers in Texas and they don't much care about customer satisfaction. Like Ricky Nelson, I think I'd rather drive a truck.
2002 Positive Review
Have enjoyed comfort, reliability, carrying capacity, overall appearance, and features included on this model. Comfort control temperature better than regular temperature controls, but a bit noisey at the start up. Have noticed not as smooth a transition through gears going uphill as a friend's Honda Accord EX (also V-6). Like the Outback a lot--this is my second one!
Anti-Lock Brake Death Trap
The anti-lock brakes take way too long to stop the car. They are especially bad when the temperature is below freezing. Two different dealers told me there was nothing wrong with the ABS. I love everything else about the car, but I am purchasing a second car to drive in the cold Utah winters. I am planning to keep the car and drive it during the other eight months of the year. Don't let the "winter wonderland" TV commercials fool you!
Subaru Bean
Only 3000 miles so far - The handling is superb, the ride quiet, and the interior details are practical, easy to use, and well designed. It was the H6 that made me opt for the Bean, didn't need all those bells & whistles, but I've quickly grown to appreciate them, although I would prefer cloth seats. I LOVE the MOMA steering wheel!
Great vehicle - needs more room
I like my 2001 LL Bean edition very much. I could do w/o all the extras but I did not like the four cylinder. I do not miss my old, bouncy, poor riding/handling, gas guzzling SUV. However, at 6-02 in height, I could use one to two more inches of legroom and a telescoping steering wheel.