2002 Subaru Legacy, 2002 Subaru Outback Recall: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY NOT FUNCTION…
NHTSA campaign 02V079000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · filed Mar 12, 2002 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND LOWER).
The risk
AT THESE TEMPERATURES, THE BRAKES MAY NOT RELEASE AFTER BEING APPLIED, EVEN WHEN THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS NO LONGER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN OCCUR WITHOUR PRIOR WARNING, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 21, 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.
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
More Subaru Legacy recalls
- 2020–2022 Subaru Legacy and 1 other model — A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection…
- 2021 Subaru Crosstrek and 3 other models — An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor…
- 2023 Subaru Ascent and 3 other models — Center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen…
- 2020–2021 Subaru Legacy and 1 other model — A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU)…
- 2019–2020 Subaru Ascent and 2 other models — A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU)…
Other campaigns involving Subaru vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 02V079000. Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.