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2002 Subaru Outback Fuel System, Gasoline Problems

NHTSA component category: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · data through 07/12/2026

20Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
14%Of all 143 complaints
#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How fuel system, gasoline ranks on this vehicle

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE20 · 14%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC12 · 8.4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING9 · 6.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8 · 5.6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8 · 5.6%

Share of the 143 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2002 Subaru Outback overview page.

What owners report

“UPPER FRONT FUEL LINE AND CONNECTION TO THROTTLE BODY? IS LEAKING RAW GAS AND FUEL IS POOLING ON TOP OF ENGINE JUST OUTWARD OF UPPER…”NHTSA complaint 10563982 — filed 02/12/2014
“OVER LAST FEW WINTERS, WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP TO FREEZING THERE HAS BEEN A BAD FUEL SMELL IN CABIN. ESPECIALLY WITH HEATER BLOWING, THOUGH IT STILL…”NHTSA complaint 10561539 — filed 01/26/2014
“SINCE THE RECENT TEMPERATURE DROP WHERE WE LIVE (MARYLAND, DC METRO REGION), WE'VE NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR'S CABIN. THE SMELL IS…”NHTSA complaint 10561377 — filed 01/24/2014

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints by year filed

1200512007320083200932010220113201242014

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Subaru Outback have fuel system, gasoline problems?

Fuel System, Gasoline is the most-reported problem area on the 2002 Subaru Outback: 20 of 143 complaints on file (14%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2002 Subaru Outback have in total?

143 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 9 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, 11 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's fuel system, gasoline category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.