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.
Electrical system, Interior lighting, May 17, 2000
WHEN THE INTERIOR FAN SWITCH IS BEING USED, HEADLIGHTS GET VERY DIM, CAUSING POOR DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK *ML
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 5, 2000
WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL IS SOFT, AND THERE IS EXCESSIVE FREE PLAY. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 7, 2000, crash
WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED ON THIS VEHICLE, THE PEDAL TRAVEL IS SO LONG AND SPONGY THAT WHEN THE PEDAL IS FULLY DEPRESSED IT IS BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE GAS PEDAL. THE INCIDENT I AM REPORTING OCCURRED WHEN I HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGANCY STOP. MY FOOT (BEING A WIDE SHOE SIZE) ENDED UP NOT ONLY IN CONTACT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT ALSO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. CONSEQUENTLY, I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A ROAD SIGN. I CONTACTED SUBARU AND MY DEALER AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT ALL OF THE CARS THEY MANUFACTURE HAVE THE SAME BRAKE FEEL AND PEDAL TRAVEL. JUST BECAUSE ALL OF THE VEHICLES ARE LIKE THIS DOSEN'T MAKE IT RIGHT. THE CAR IS FINE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHERE YOUR FEET ARE, BUT IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION IT CAN BE DEADLY. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 26, 1999
EXPERENICING BRAKE PROBLEM WHEN APPLYING BRAKES.TOO MUCH FORCE IS NEEDED TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP PROPERLY. DEALER /MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE. *AK
Suspension, Nov 20, 1999
LOUD CLUNKING AND VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. IT IS MOST PRONOUNCED DURING LEFT TURNS BUT ALSO DOES IT WHEN TURNING RIGHT. DEALER REP SAYS HE COULD NOT HEAR IT. WE WILL SCHEDULE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AND WILL MAKE SURE DEALER REP IS NOT DEAF. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 29, 1999
BRAKE PEDAL NEEDS ADJUSTMENT. YH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 2, 1999
UNDER NORMAL BRAKING WHEN APPLYING FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE IS TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE PEDAL, STOPPING ABLILTY NOT ACCURATE. BRAKE PEDAL MOVES EXCESSIVLEY, MORE THAN THE OWNER MANUEL STATES. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. CONSUMER HAS ADJUSTED THE BRAKE PEDAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK