SubaruOutback20022.5L/subaru/outback/2002/2-5l/

2002 Subaru Outback — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Outback 2.5L. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.5L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.5LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Subaru Outback 2.5L is configured as a passenger car pairing a 2.5L engine with a four-speed automatic transmission, returning EPA ratings of 19 city, 25 highway, and 21 combined mpg on a 4.2-quart fill of 5W-30 API oil. The model year has drawn 153 owner complaints—led by service brake concerns—and sits against five recalls, a relatively modest footprint within the nameplate's 1995–2026 complaint history. That archive's peak of 1,029 complaints falls in 2019, while the 1995 debut logged just 2, making the 2002 a notably quiet data point that researchers can use to track the model's long-term reliability trajectory.

Model year201420132012201120102009200820072002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/25/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 430 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 430 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length173.6 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height59.1 in
Wheelbase99.2 in
Curb weight3051 lb
Track (front / rear)57.5 / 57.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 25 / 21 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume91 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-6-3-2-5-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.6 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid80W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings33 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub174 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-3-2-5-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 650, AT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.66-.80 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,880-14,720 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.88-1.65 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity4.50-5.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance430 cca
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance5-20 ohms
Engine Compression148-185 psi
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ 600-700 rpm, 43 psi @ 5000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0079 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0078-0.0118 in

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.295; Rear: 0.256 specification
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .866
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0028; Rear: .0029
Maximum Drum DiameterFront: 9.079; Parking Brake: 6.732

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
Every 9,300 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (inspect)
At 105,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Outback sits near the early‑mid point of the model’s first‑generation record, where complaints have risen from a low of 2 in 1995 to a peak of 215 in 2000 before modestly receding to 153 in 2002. Recalls, however, show a steady climb: 1 in 1999, 2 in 2000‑2001, and a jump to 5 in 2002, the highest count up to that year, while investigations remain at zero. Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) accelerate sharply, from 76 in 2000 to 133 in 2002, indicating an expanding set of documented issues, with the top complaint areas concentrating on service brakes, fuel system, engine cooling, and power‑train components. Crash‑related complaints are modest (10) and fire complaints are absent, but the upward trend in recalls and TSBs suggests 2002 is entering a period of growing reliability concerns. **Takeaway:** the 2002 model shows higher recall and TSB activity than its immediate predecessors, so it is a less attractive year to buy compared with earlier, lower‑risk years.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
133
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
153
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 153 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic25
Fuel System, Gasoline19
Engine & Engine Cooling17
Power Train17
Vehicle Speed Control11
Fuel/Propulsion System5
Visibility5
Tires5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

13E065000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 29/11/2013

Airtex Products LP (Airtex) is recalling certain model E8598M, E8518M, E8600M, E8596M, and E8597M fuel pumps manufactured July 26, 2013, and July 29, 2013 and used as aftermarket replacements on Subaru Baja's, Outback's… Remedy: Airtex will notify owners, and will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Recall is expected to begin on January 2, 2014. Customers may contact Airtex at 1-800-880-3056. The…

04V128000Vehicle Speed Control:CablesReported 16/03/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AND LODGE ON THE CONTROL LEVER TAB WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER TAB ON THE THROTTLE SHAFT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM COMING OUT OF…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 133 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
SubaruNet Announcement (R2026-05-04Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
07-240-26R2026-04-30Unknown Or OtherThis Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles…
03-97-262026-04-24Power TrainThis bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Outback. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Outback 2.5L take?

4.2 qt of 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Outback have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.5L get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg.