2002 Subaru Outback vs 2003 Subaru Outback
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2002 Subaru Outback | 2003 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 143 | 93 |
| Recall campaigns | 4 | 14 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 133 | 190 |
| Investigations | 0 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 9 | 7 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | — | — |
| Median reported mileage | 71,548 mi | 74,611 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Outback | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 27 | 6 |
| Power Train | 20 | 13 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 17 | 14 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 23 | 3 |
| Air Bags | 5 | 19 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 | 9 |
| Structure | 10 | 5 |
| Suspension | 4 | 9 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 12 | 6 |
| Vibration / shaking | 9 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 8 | 7 |
| Hesitation / surging | 7 | 0 |
2002 Subaru Outback
2003 Subaru Outback
Compare all Subaru Outback vs Subaru Outback years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.