2001 Subaru Outback: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 171 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (14% of complaints); the 2003 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 171 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I contacted subaru's customer service number and told them that the subframe was broken and that they needed to fix the problem and they said I would have to pay out of pocket and that the recall was completed in august 2005 but the subframe is completely rusted out and broken please contact subaru and get them to open another recall on these cars because the fix that they used didn't work”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 subaru outback. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic because the check engine light was illuminated. While the vehicle was being lifted, the mechanic noticed that the rear subframe was extremely corroded. The contact was informed by the mechanic that the rear subframe of the vehicle was corroded and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 subaru outback. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for service and it was diagnosed that the rear sub-frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 03v153000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“My son was driving this car on may 23, 2015 when he was involved in a single car accident. The car was immediately engulfed in fire and he died as a result of the fire.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2015
“On sunday 29 2015 at 12.30 am .. My son was driving and a loud noise was coming from under the car . He had some trouble to turn and stop on the side. He did it ,we had to tow the car. The s arm broke subframe broke off. Was all rusted .. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2015
“Outside temperature was 25 degrees f. I was leaving from the parking lot at work. As I approached the intersection the brakes became so hard that I couldn't press them any farther. I sis some research and apparently lots of other subaru owners have experienced this problem. It appears that the check valve on the brake booster line freezes up. If I had been moving any faster I would have went into the intersection possibly causing an accident or worse. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2015
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 subaru legacy outback. The contact stated that the sub frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that corrosion had impaired the frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 210,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 subaru outback. While at an independent mechanic for a routine service repair, the technician stated that the rear subframe was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 03v153000 (suspension), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2015
“Since the cold weather started nov. 12, 2014 I have smelled a raw gas smell in my 2001 subaru outback when I start it. In time it fades away, like perhaps it evaporates once the engine warms up. I can only guess and some mornings when cold the smell is overwhelming, a raw gas order ~ not a faint smell of gas. Very concerned breathing these fumes which can't be healthy or safe. There are plenty of people having this problem and if anyone enters...subaru outback cold weather gas smell.. On your browser you will latterly see hundreds if not more people looking for help. Something must be done to rectify this problem. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 subaru outback. While parking, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a fence. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Outback 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 Outback reliable?
NHTSA has 171 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Subaru Outback. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Subaru Outback problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 74,999 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Subaru Outback have open recalls?
4 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.