2002 Subaru Outback brakes problems
33 complaints about brakes have been filed for the 2002 Subaru Outback, which is 19% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 33 19% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 43,000 miles 17 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 5 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 4 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When brakes problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 8 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 0 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 17 brakes complaints that report mileage, the median is about 42,000 miles, and 71% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 5 crashes, 4 injuries.
What owners wrote
The vehicle started to fish-tail, the consumer depressed the brakes with force and discovered the vehicle had no brakes.
Dates are approximate, problem is ongoing. Upon initial start-up, in cool/cold weather the brake pedal will be very hard and brakes are very weak requiring tremendous foot pressure with still reduced braking effectiveness. After a period of time and multiple stops brake assist seems to increase and the brakes get stronger or normal. I have researched that this is not an uncommon problem with subaru cars at higher mileage. It is said to be water in the brake booster hose one way valve.
Other problems reported for the 2002 Subaru Outback
- Fuel system 33 complaints
- Engine 20 complaints