2001 Subaru Legacy: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 77 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2013
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Always, when the circulation fresh air button is pressed to allow outside air to enter the cabin, there is the noxious odor of gasoline. I replaced the engine because of a timing belt related problem at 160,000 miles and the problem of gas odor stopped for a few months but it is back, bad as ever. When did this happen? Years and years”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2020
“I was pulling out of the parking lot onto a main street and when I started to step on the gas the car didn't want to go so well and the rpms what are getting pretty high and the clutch was slipping the fluid was a little bit low so we added the recommended fluid the dextron 111.. We were able to drive about 5 miles on the freeway about 60 miles an hour back to our house the next morning we got up to leave the car would barely move forward the clutch slipping really bad and also is doing the same in reverse.. I have owned by subarus and I was also the sales and finance manager for nader subaru in eureka california in 2005 to 2010”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2020
“In colder weather I have fuel leaking from fuel lines under the hood which creates a strong gas smell inside the vehicle. I went online and found nhsta recall # 00v393000 . I am not sure if this is for my vehicle or not. Since this is a major safety issue, could it be repaired at at subaru dealer near me ?”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Gas fuel lines in engine compartment leaking in cold weather. Gas pooling on engine creating fire hazard. Same issue as other subaru. Strong fuel smell inside cabin and out. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns 2001 subaru legacy outback. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number 03v153000 (suspension). However, the remedy failed to correct the failure. The sub frame was found corroded and fractured. The contact was advised that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,131.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2014
“Cold weather below 32 degrees no brake pedal on cold start- difficult to stop car moving under 5mph. After warm up for 5-10 minutes- depending on how cold the temp. Pedal comes back and brakes seem to operate normally. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2013
“When starting car in cold weather there is a very strong gas odor in cabin. Subsequent research has indicated that other 2001 legacy wagons have been recalled due to exact same problem. My car was not recalled, which is confusing given that the exact same risks are associated. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2013
“This car was "inspected" on july 25, 2011 at affordable auto glass, 806 elm street, west springfield, ma (massachusetts inspection station pb 024377). Upon purchasing this car in october, 2011, I attempted to get a ri inspection sticker for it when registering it in ri. It failed on several counts (bald tires, bad rear brakes, 2 bad front axles). I would like this station investigated to find out how this car could have passed a mass inspection only 3 months before I bought it. In addition to the failed items, one front brake caliper was frozen and the bracket holding the other front brake caliper was broken.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 subaru legacy outback. The contact noticed a fuel smell and when she would turn the heating system on, the smell became unbearable, forcing the contact to roll the windows down. The failure began october 2010. Neither the dealer or manufacturer had not been notified nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 130,000. Updated 09/28/11*lj the consumer stated the gas smell only occurred when the temperature was below 30 degrees. Updated 10/05/11”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2010
“Blow out with complete detachment of tire tread from wheel at 50 mph; car crashed into stone wall; air bags deployed; fire in forward part of engine compartment put out by fire company; fire company comment that looked like tire failure; tires had only ~2000 miles on them; no injuries; only one car involved; police filed a report; car is a total loss; I have the tire tread which detached from the wheel and is a complete, single circular piece; about 1 inch of tire rubber remained attached to each rim of the wheel. *tr”Owner report · Tires · May 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "P" (PARK) POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM, THAT IS INTENDED TO HOLD YOUR VEHICLE, MAY NOT ENGAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION JANUARY 8, 2003. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT DURING NOVEMBER 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.
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 and Legacy's. The affected fuel pumps were sold or installed into the aftermarket applications on or after July 26, 2013, and may may leak fuel from the base of a fuel line connection when the gas tank is full.
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 recall is expected to begin during January 2014. This recall is being conducted by Airtex, not by Subaru.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE OF UNDER-HOOD FUEL HOSES AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (-40 DEGREES C) ONCE THE FUEL HOSES AGE AND BECOME LESS FLEXIBLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR UNDER-HOOD FUEL HOSES WITH LOT NUMBERS 0804 AND 0806 AND ALL FUEL HOSES WITH THOSE NUMBERS WILL BE REPLACED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INCORRECT BEIGE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS INSTALLED. THE BELT LENGTH IS TOO SHORT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL BEIGE COLORED REAR CENTER LAP/SHOULDER BELTS WITH LOT NUMBER 0171.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A CASTING FLAW IN THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING HOUSING COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING IF THE CASTING FLAW SHOULD EXIST IN THE TIE-ROD ARM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FRONT BEARING HOUSINGS WITH A LOT NUMBER OF OF15.
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 RELEASED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AND WILL REMAIN IN AN OPEN POSITION.
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 ITS TRACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUALLY-ADJUSTABLE (NON-POWERED) SEATS. CERTAIN INNER FRONT SLIDE RAIL LATCH MECHANISMS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH FRONT SEAT INNER SLIDE RAILS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 30, 2001. 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.
THIS RECALL APPLIES TO CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. CERTAIN REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME COMPONENTS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE ROAD SALTS FOR A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS, COULD RESULT IN RUST-OUT OF THE COMPONENT AND POSSIBLE BREAKAGE OF THE SUBFRAME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN AND RUST-PROOF THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 14, 2003. 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Legacy by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Subaru Legacy reliable?
NHTSA has 77 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Subaru Legacy. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Subaru Legacy problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 63,270 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Subaru Legacy have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.