2000 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 207 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2000 reports, 17 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 7 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpNov 29, 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 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.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 13E065000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearApr 22, 2003
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.
IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 03V153000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
207 reports, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 18, 2003
I PURCHASED NEW A 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK STATION WAGON. THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING ALREADY. TWO SEPARATE SUBARU DEALERS AND TWO PRIVATE GARAGES TELL ME THE HEAD GASKETS ARE GOING IN THESE CARS LEFT AND RIGHT. THERE ARE LOTS OF ANGRY OWNERS ON THE WEB. THE HEAD GASKETS, VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR BECAUSE THE ENGINE MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE CAR, ARE GOING WAY TOO SOON!. *JB
Air bags, Mar 10, 2003, crash
NAR 3-10-03 THE CONSUMERS WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY FROM THE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. THE CONSUMER HAS ENCLOSED PICTURES OF DAMAGES AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. ALSO PROVIDING THAT A NOTICE OF FAILURE BE SENT TO SUBARU FOR THE VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS. AS WELL AS MAKE A CLAIM AGAINST SUBARU. *CB *JB
Power train, Feb 24, 2003
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 22, 2003
2000 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON DEVELOPED ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 61, 800 MILES REQUIRING EXTENSIVE REPAIRS. DEALER CLAIMED THE REASON TO BE NO COOLANT FLUSH AT THE 30,000 MILE MARK ON THE VEHICLE
Power train, Jan 22, 2003
TRANSMISSION FAILURE
Vehicle speed control, Jan 17, 2003
MY SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON WITH 50K MILES BEGAN HAVING OCCASIONAL ENGINE SURGE AFTER THE BRAKES WERE CHECKED BY THE DEALER. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 2X AND THEY HAVE NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM. JUST APPLYING THE BRAKE WILL KICK THE ENGINE INTO HIGH, AND THE ENGINE MUST BE TURNED OFF TO STOP THE SURGE. IT HAS HAPPEN TO ME 4X IN 2 WEEKS. I HAVE THE CAR BUT WILL NOT DRIVE IT. THE DEALER IS CONSULTING WITH SUBARU. APPARENTLY THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WHICH AT PRESENT HAS NO SOLUTION. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT AND I FEEL IMMEDIATE ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN AND THE PUBLIC NOTIFIED. TS
Suspension, Nov 12, 2002
FRONT STABILIZER BAR BROKE IN TWO PLACES. TWO DEALERS HAVE SAID THIS HAPPENS OFTEN. ISN'T THAT A SAFETY PROBLEM AS IT AFFECTS HANDLING? IT BROKE RIGHT AFTER THEY WORKED ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION! DT
Child seat, Oct 29, 2002
THE CAR SEAT IS MANUFACTURERED BY BRITAX. IT IS A ROUNDABOUT MODEL. I HAVE A 22 MONTH OLD TODDLER WHO WEIGHS 27 LBS AND IS ABOUT 32 INCHES TALL. HE CAN EASILY OPEN THE CROTCH LATCH. BRITAX MAKES AND I BOUGHT A LATCH COVER. HE CAN ALSO EASILY OPEN THE LATCH COVER. THE SEAT HAS A DESIGN DEFECT IF IT CAN BE EASILY OPENED BY A YOUNG TODDLER. DT
Suspension, Oct 25, 2002
WHILE DRIVING ON A SMOOTH DIRT ROAD, HEARD A CLUNK UNDER THE CAR. STOPPED AND LOOKED UNDER IT ONLY TO FIND THE SWAY BAR BROKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BAR. END LINKS AND OTHER PARTS FINE. THE THICK SWAY BAR DESIGNED TO BE STRONG BROKE. MUST INVESTIGATE. DT
Tires, Aug 12, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE HT P225/60R16 (DOT UNKNOWN) TIRE EXPLODED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL AND STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING THROUGH A FIELD. TEN MONTHS LATER, THE RIGHT FRONT FIRESTONE HT (DOT UNKNOWN) TIRE BLEW OUT. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, TIRE MERCHANT WOULD NOT REPLACE TIRE AND COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF BLOWOUT. THE FIRST TIRE HAD LESS THAN 12,000 MILES AND THE SECOND TIRE HAD LESS THAN 21,O00 MILES. *TT
Structure, Jul 24, 2002
OUTER CARRIAGE BOLT FELL OUT, INNTER CARRIAGE BOLT SHREDDED OFF DUE TO STRESS, CAR BECAME DISABLED AND WAS TOWED FROM NY TO NH.*AK
Suspension, Fuel system, Gasoline, Visibility, Equipment, Jul 15, 2002
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE KEPT PULLING TO THE RIGHT, AND FRONT END WAS WOBBLING, CAUSED BY THE CARRIAGE BOLT THAT FELL OFF. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE BIKE RACK DROPPED DOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON DUE TO EVAPORATION LEAK FROM SYSTEM AND LOOSE GAS CAP. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SEAL WAS DAMAGED. *YH
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 6, 2002
SEVERAL WEEKS AGO THE DEALER REPLACED THE FIRST GEAR OF THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT REPEATEDLY CAME OUT OF GEAR WHEN GOING DOWN STEEP INCLINES, SUCH AS IN A PARKING GARAGE. AFTER THE WORK WAS COMPLETED, THE CAR EMITTED A VERY STRONG SMELL. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES. THE LAST TIME THE DEALER SAID THE SEALS ON THE TRANSMISSION WERE LEAKING AND REPLACED. IT IS APPARENT THAT A PETROLEUM PRODUCT IS LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND BURNING AND THE SMELL ENTERS THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHILE THE CAR IS STATIONARY. DEALER SAYS I NEED TO KEEP A/C ON AND THE RECYCLE AIR BUTTON PUSHED. ISSUES UNRESOLVED.*AK
Power train, Jun 14, 2002
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE FLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL FROM FIFTH SPEED DUE TO A LOST BOLT.*AK
Vehicle speed control, May 13, 2002
VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY ACCELERATE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. IT WOULD USUALLY HAVE AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, USUALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
Tires, Apr 16, 2002
TREAD SEPARATED AND TIRE BLEW WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ON PARKWAY. DIDN'T FILL OUT ALL INFORMATION ON CAR SINCE IT DIDN'T APPLY AND DEALER HAS RECORD. *AK *JB *****DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS******760752.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Apr 16, 2002
THERE IS SLIPPAGE IN TRANSMISSION. WHEN DRIVING, IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED, AND WILL HAPPEN MORE OFTEN IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT OIL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON TOGETHER AND THEN THE POWER GOES OUT, THIS HAS OCCURRED WHEN STOPPING AND MOVING , THE PROBLEM IS STILL ON GOING. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE ONBOARD COMPUTER SHOWS THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS BUT THEY CAN?T IDENTIFY THE CAUSE UNLESS IT HAPPENS IN THEIR PRESENCE. *YD
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 16, 2002
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON AND INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM.*AK *MJ
Power train, Apr 2, 2002
THE CLUTCH SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE UNABLE TO HANDLE SAN FRANCISCO (EXTREME) DRIVING CONDITIONS. I KNOW OF 4 OTHER PEOPLE WHOSE CLUTCHES HAVE ALL FAILED AT 13,500 MILES OR LESS. WE ARE ALL EXPERIENCED CLUTCH DRIVERS IN SAN FRANCISCO. OTHER CARS DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHILE I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG OTHER THAN THAT I BURNED OUT THE CLUTCH, MY FRIEND WAS TOLD A MONTH LATER THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDS TO BE READJUSTED MORE FREQUENTLY IN S.F. - EVERY 7.5 MONTHS. THIS IMPLIES TO ME THAT SOMEONE HAS LOOKED INTO THIS AND DETERMINED THAT THE CLUTCH SYSTEM IS PROBLEMATIC. MY CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE FIXED AN ADDITIONAL 3 TIMES BEFORE IT WAS WORKING CORRECTLY. HOWEVER, I DO NOT WANT A CAR THAT WILL NEED A NEW CLUTCH EVERY 2 YEARS, OR THAT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT IN FOR A CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT EVERY 7.5 MONTHS. I THINK THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR DRIVERS IN S.F. OR SIMILAR EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS AND REPLACED WITH A CAR THAT CAN HANDLE NORMAL DRIVING.*AK
Tires, Apr 1, 2002
MY SUBARU CAME STOCK WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES. WHEN THE FORD/FIRESTONE INCIDENT WAS HAPPENING, THE SUBARU WEBSITE POSTED A MESSAGE THAT THE TIRES USED ON THE SUBARU'S WERE NOT IN THE RECALL. THIS MORNING, I HAD A BLOW OUT THAT CAUSED ME TO SWERVE VIOLENTLY INTO THE #3 LANE CAUSING THE TRAFFIC TO SWERVE. WHEN I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE TIRE, I NOTICED THAT THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE HAS DELAMINATED FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE. NO OTHER FOREIGN OBJECTS OR OTHER VISIBLE SIGNS CAN BE SEEN TO HAVE CAUSED THE BLOW OUT. IT'S PLAIN TO SEE THAT IT'S DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. I CONTACTED SUBARU AND THEY INSIST THAT THE TIRES THAT CAME ON THE VEHICLE ARE NOT A PART OF THE RECALL FROM FORD. AND THAT I SHOULD GO TO A SUBARU DEALER TO HAVE THEM INSPECT THE TIRE.*AK (TIRESIZE: 225 60/16)
Suspension, Mar 29, 2002
SWAY BAR BROKE WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 14, 2002
CONSUMER HAS PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS PULLING TO RIGHT. *AK
Tires, Feb 12, 2002
THIS CAR COMES WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES MADE ESPECIALLY FOR THE OUTBACK. AT ONLY 24000 MILES, I HAD A BLOWOUT IN WHICH THE COMPLETE LEFT SIDE OF THE TIRE DISINTEGRATED. A FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HEARD OF THE TROUBLE WITH FIRESTONE TIRES, I CALLED THE DEALER WHO ASSURED ME THAT THESE TIRES WERE SAFE AND NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. WHEN THIS DANGEROUS INCIDENT HAPPENED TWO DAYS AGO, I WENT TO A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER WHO TOLD ME HE COULD NOT GET THESE WILDERNESS TIRES, AND DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THEM IN HIS COMPUTER. HE WANTED TO BLAME SUBARU FOR THE FAILURE. I CALLED BOTH MY SUBARU DEALER AND THE HEAD OFFICE IN GEORGIA (SPOKE WITH MANAGER KEVIN TRIPLETT), AND HE WANTED TO BLAME FIRESTONE. THESE TIRES ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE, AS IT SIMPLY DISINTEGRATED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I WILL BE HAPPY TO EMAIL YOU PICTURES OR TO SHOW YOU THE TIRE IN PERSON. AFTER WARNING BOTH FIRESTONE & SUBARU OF THIS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, THEY WOULD ONLY AGREE TO PUT THE SAME PROBLEM TIRE ON MY CAR, AND I REFUSE TO PUT MY FAMILY'S LIFE IN JEOPARDY WITH A DEFECTIVE TIRE. *AK (TIRESIZE: 16)
Electrical system, Feb 6, 2002
WIRE HARNESS IS IN THE WAY, AND CONSUME RCANNOT DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE BLOCKAGE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 23, 2002
PROBLEM STARTED WHEN DRIVING TO MINNESOTA FROM CALIFORNIA. LOWER THERMOSTAT WENT OUT AND CAR OVER HEATED, REPLACED. LOWER THERMOSTAT WENT OUT AGAIN. CAR STILL HEATING UP FUNNY, DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG. TURNS OUT HEAD GASKET GONE. NEXT THE ENGINE WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK, THEY PUT IN NEW BLOCK AND GAVE US AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. NOW LESS THEN A YEAR LATER CAR OVERHEATS AGAIN. SUBARU SEEMS TO BE DOING NOTHING TO HELP.*AK