Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
02V282000SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.from 06/01/2001 to 09/30/2002V (Vehicle)17256401/08/2003MFRSUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.10/30/200210/30/2002
Defect SummaryCertain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions were produced with an improperly manufactured transmission parking rod. when the transmission selector lever is placed in the p (park) position, the transmission park mechanism, that is intended to hold your vehicle, may not engage.
Consequence SummaryThe vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the automatic transmission parking rod assembly. owner notification january 8, 2003. an interim owner notification will be sent during november 2002. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
NotesCustomers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
POWER TRAIN
16660203/15/200310001352Transmission control unit (tcu) code 45 and all-wheel drive harsh engagement. *tt04/30/2003
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
9412/01/200210000639Improperly manufactured 4eat transmission parking pawl rod. *tt03/26/2003
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
03520305/19/200310001726Clutch pedal sticking. *tt06/23/2003
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION - SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR
09010109/01/2001625885Information regarding titanium shift knob p/n c1010fa100)/ shift pattern emblem position. *et12/10/2001

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN
09/15/200221000309/01/2001
 There were problems with the fuel sensor, fuel train , and control module. the vehicle didn't accelerate, and stalled. the dealer was contacted. ts scc
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
06/03/200319374312/29/2001
 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. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH
 While idling in park vehicle jumped into drive, resulting in a collision. please provide further information.*ak
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
11/13/200211/01/2002
 Vehicle shudders, stalls, stumbles on acceleration. dt
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - PEDAL/LINKAGE
01/14/2004108/17/2002
 I have a 2002 subaru legacy gt, 5-speed manual. most of the time the clutch is stiff, but once in a while the clutch becomes extremely easy to push down, (you can use one finger to push in the clutch). dealer could not find any problem and said clutch was normal. you can tell the difference.*ak
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
05/12/200437463104/06/2002
 My subaru legacy 2002 was recalled for a transmission problem in 2003. this was repaired in feb 2003 by the ca dealer where we purchased the car. in june of 2003 we were transferred by the us coast guard to virginia. on may 12, 2004 i noticed a strange wheel noise and took it to the subaru dealer in the area for diagnosis and repair. i was told later that the brakes were only 50% worn and that all of the fluids were ok. i was told to pick up my car that night as everything was fine. the paper work given to me when i picked up the car stated checked front and rear brakes; 50% left; heard some front differential noise; checked fluids; checked ok. by may 20th the noise was extreme and i met with the mechanic the next morning. he instantly diagnosed the problem as the differential. i was told that a part would have to be ordered and i informed him that the car was under warranty. on may 24th i was informed that the cost of the repair would be approximately $3500 as a new transmission was needed and that the warranty would not cover unless i produce all of my service records. we authorized the work to be done as this car is our only transportation. my concern is that there is a serious problem with the subaru transmission for the 2002 legacy model. i have also heard of a woman who had recall transmission work done and then drove to new england. when she arrived at her destination her car had problems. what was uncovered was that the recall had been repaired with used parts and had failed! is this a common practice with subaru? we have spoken with subaru america at their 800 number and were told that they would not honor the warranty unless the service records showed that all services had been performed appropriately. we are in the process of locating these records but are very unhappy with subaru's attitude regarding a car that is only two years old and is in need of a new transmission. *nm
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
11/30/20020111/27/2002
 I have a 2002 legacy gt with manual 5-spd transmission. the vehicle frequently stalls or hesitates in first gear. i am an experienced driver of manual-transmission vehicles, and other drivers have confirmed that the car is easily stalled in first gear. i have heard other subaru drivers complain about this defect, particularly on npr's car talk program. this issue poses a real safety hazard when accelerating into highway traffic. *ak