2001 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Fuel system is the leading concern among 170 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 16 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 7 people were injured.
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
Vehicle speed control, cablesMar 16, 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 RELEASED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AND WILL REMAIN IN AN OPEN POSITION.
IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 04V128000 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
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 30, 2002
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.
THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 02V282000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
170 reports, newest first.
Power train, Apr 23, 2004
MY 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS A CLUTCH SHUDDER ( JUTTER ) THAT IS REPORTED TO OCCUR IN ALL SUBARU MODELS WITH THE 2.5 LTR ENGINE. THERE ARE INUMERABLE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND YET SUBARU BURRIES ITS HEAD IN THE SAND AND PRETENDS THERE IS NO PROBLEM.*AK
Power train, Apr 13, 2004
SINCE ABOUT 10,000 MILES THE CLUTCH SHUDDERS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. USUALLY ONLY WHEN ENGINE IS COLD BUT NOT 100% OF THE TIME. HAVE COMPLAINED TO SUBARU DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SOME SUBARUS BUT NOT ALL DEALERS ADDRESS IT.
Power train, Apr 7, 2004
THE CLUTCH ON OUR 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK LIMITED SHUDDERS WHEN THE CAR AND/OR TEMPERATURE IS COLD. IT HAS DONE THIS FOR THE LAST 30-40,000 MILES.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 19, 2004
THE VEHICLE EMITTED WHITE SMOKE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2004
ODOR MOST LIKELY DESCRIBED AS HEATED ANTIFREEZE, ALSO ROTTEN EGG ODOR - AT LEAST TEN DIFFERENT ATTEMPTS TO IDENTIFY ODOR AND FIND CAUSE. CAR NOW HAS 59,000 MILES.
Power train, Dec 4, 2003
CLUTCH SHUDDER PROBLEM SINCE 20K MILES. HAPPENS WHEN COLD OR DAMP OUT, HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING IN FIRST GEAR, FROM STOPPED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES, INCLUDING TEST DRIVE W/ MECHANIC,CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *NLM
Suspension, Nov 21, 2003
THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT SINCE JULY 2003 TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED. THE RECALL IS FOR REAR SUSPENSION SUB FRAME CORROSION (3V153000) . *NLM
Suspension, Nov 12, 2003
RECALL 03V153000 CONCERNING REAR SUSPENSION SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY: VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIRS COULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE NO SPRAY BOOTH WAS AVAILABLE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO HELP THE CONSUMER FIND A DEALER WITH A SPRAY BOOTH.*AK *JB *NLM
Power train, Oct 7, 2003
MY SUBARU OUTBACK UNLIMITED 2001 NEEDS A TRANSMISSION REPLACED AFTER ONLY 74,000. ALL THE REPAIRS AND SERVICE WERE PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP INCLUDING THE 60,00 MILE MAJOR TUNE-UP. ALL THE SERVICE WAS DONE TIMELY AND AS RECOMMENDED. THE DEALER FIRST SAID THE NOISE WAS THE ALTERNATOR AND REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER SUBARU DEALER WHO SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND SUSPECTED IT WAS NOT SERVICED APPROPRIATELY. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER AT THEIR REQUEST. THEY THEN REMOVED THE REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND RETURNED MY ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR, BUT REFUSED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *JB
Tires, Oct 6, 2003
TIRE SIDEWALL BLOWOUT, FIRESTONE WILDERNESS. DOOR PLATE SHOWS 30 PSI, TIRE SHOWS 44 PSI, DIFFERENCE OF 14 POUNDS--TOO MUCH DIFFERENCE. *JB
Power train, Sep 25, 2003
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD TOWARDS THE FENCE. *LA
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 23, 2003
TOLD BY DEALER THAT LEFT HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING COOLANT. $1,600 TO HAVE HEAD REMOVED, PLANED AND REGASKETED, AND REINSTALLED. 75,000 HIGHWAY MILES ON VERY WELL KEPT VEHICLE. I DID NOT SMELL COOLANT UNTIL AFTER A SERVICE IN MID AUG. 03 DURING WHICH THEY FLUSHED MY COOLANT SYSTEM.
Power train, Sep 10, 2003
2001 SUBARU OUTBACK, 22000 MILES. CLUTCH NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *JB
Interior lighting, Sep 6, 2003
INTERIOR LIGHTS TYPICALLY DO NOT GO OFF WHEN SHUTTING DOORS OR LIFT GATE. TO GET LIGHTS TO TURN OFF, DOORS NEED TO BE SLAMMED SO HARD I'M AFRAID THE GLASS WILL SHATTER. SUBARU DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER 3/36 WARRANTY. THEY SAID TO JUST TURN LIGHTS OFF WITH THE INTERIOR SWITCHES SO THAT THEY DO NOT TURN ON WHEN DOORS ARE OPENED. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 3, 2003
MY BRAKES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN COLD, ABS DOESN'T SEEM TO ENGAGE; MY ROTORS HAVE WARPED ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS AND HAVE BEEN "TURNED" 3 TIMES AND REPLACED ONCE. MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND HAS 37,000 MILES. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME VEHICLE AND THEY HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS, ESPECIALLY THE FREQUENT WARPING OF THE ROTORS.*AK
Visibility, Aug 8, 2003
WHILE DRIVING, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 3, 2003
SUBARU 2001 LL BEAN 3.0 OUTBACK. FRONT DISC BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AT 13800 MILES - SQUEAKER WAS TOUCHING, PADS WERE GONE, AND ROTOR WAS SCORED. CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE SO REPLACED PADS AND SURFACED ROTORS AT LOCAL SHOP ON WEEKEND. AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES HAD DEALER INSPECT BRAKES - PADS AND ROTOR WERE WORN AGAIN. ROTORS WERE WARPED. SUBARU REFUSED TO REPLACE PADS UNDER WARRANTY (WE PAID) BUT DID REPLACE ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY. AT 31,600 ROTORS WERE EXPERIENCING SHAKING AT BRAKE INITIATION. TOOK CAR IN, ROTORS WERE "WARPED DUE TO HEAT" AND PADS (FRONT AND BACK) WERE AGAIN WORN OUT. DEALER REPLACED FRONT AND BACK ROTORS AND PADS. SAID THAT OUR "DRIVING" MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM - USING THE BRAKES TOO MUCH AND SHOULD SHIFT DOWN ON HILLS. AT 33000 MILES FRONT PADS AND ROTORS ARE AGAIN SHOWING WEAR. AFTER MANY CALLS AND VISITS ANOTHER DEALER'S SERVICEMAN INTIMATED THAT REALLY THE "ROTORS ARE TOO SMALL" FOR THE NEW 3.0 LITER ENGINE WEIGHT. SUMMARY - BRAKES WEAR OUT EVERY 10-12,000 MILES AND ROTORS ARE SENSITIVE TO ANY HEAVY OR PROLONGED BRAKING (FOR EXAMPLE - GOING DOWN A LONG STEEP HILL). DEALERS HAVE BEEN HELPFUL AND SYMPATHETIC BUT CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jun 17, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN PARKING. *MR *TS
Air bags, May 28, 2003, crash
WHEN HIT ON THEIR FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. *TT
Air bags, May 15, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
Tires, May 7, 2003
HI, ON FEBRUARY 25, 2003 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY LEFT REAR FIRESTONE TIRE ON MY SUBARU OUTBACK BLEW UP. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS NEXT TO MY CAR AT THE TIME THE TIRE BLEW AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE. THE TIRE WAS FIRESTONE WILDERNESS 225 60-16 H-RATED. PART # 074772. THE CAR IS A SUBARU 2001 AND IT HAD ONLY 21000 MILES WHEN THE TIRE BLEW. I CONTACTED FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. AND THE FIRESTONE SHOP ON DEMPSTER IN SKOKIE, ILLINOIS AND WAS INFORMED THAT I WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE 4 NEW TIRES BECAUSE IF I REPLACE ONLY THE TIRE THAT BLEW, IT WILL DAMAGE MY TRANSMISSION. I ASKED WHY THE TIRE BLEW WITH ONLY 21,000 MILES ON IT AND THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN BUT SAID THEY WILL SEND IT BACK TO THEIR FACTORY FOR INVESTIGATION. THEY WERE WILLING TO PRORATE ONLY THE TIRE THAT BLEW, NOT ALL 4 NEW TIRES. I HAD TO PAY CLOSE TO $400 FOR 4 NEW TIRES. I CONTACTED YOUR OFFICE BY PHONE THE SAME WEEK AND EXPLAINED MY PROBLEM TO A LADY IN YOUR OFFICE. I WAS TOLD THAT I WILL GET A FORM IN THE MAIL TO BE FILLED OUT BY ME BUT I DID NOT GET IT SO I DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU BY E-MAIL. A FEW WEEKS LATER, WHEN I CHANGED MY OIL AT THE SUBARU DEALER ON GRAND AVENUE IN NAPERVILLE ILLINOIS, AN EMPLOYEE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF ANOTHER INCIDENT ABOUT A MONTH EARLIER THAT A LADY CAME INTO THE SHOP WITH A SIMILAR BLOW OUT ON THE SAME FIRESTONE TYPE WILDERNESS TIRE AND SHE HAD TO BUY 4 TIRES ALSO. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE MIGHT BE MORE SUCH INSTANCES AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. THE TIRE SEPARATED 360 DEGREES ON ITS SIDE AROUND WHERE THE WHITE CIRCLE IS ON THE SIDEWALL. I TOOK A NUMBER OF DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE TIRE THAT BLEW BEFORE FIRESTONE TOOK IT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEND THEM TO YOU EITHER BY E-MAIL OR I CAN MAKE PRINTS. *JB PLEASE ADVISE. ZELIG
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 5, 2003
THERE IS A PULSATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, DUE TO BRAKE/ROTOR FAILURE. THESE PART ARE CONTINUOUSLY REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE TIRE A THINNER BRAKE PAD WAS USED TO COMPENSATE.
Structure, May 3, 2003
WHILE CLOSING THE DRIVERS DOOR, INNER PANELS OR STRUCTURES PARTIALLY SEPARATED OR DELAMINATED FROM THE OUTER METAL PORTION OF THE DOOR IN TWO LAYERS. DATE IS AN ESTIMATE, IT WAS WINTER *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 2, 2003
THE BRAKE ROTORS WORE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN BRAKING. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 30, 2003
HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING CONTINUED BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH MY 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK LTD. THIS CAUSES SHUDDERING AND PULL TO BOTH LEFT & RIGHT UPON APPLICATION OF BRAKES. DEALER HAS TURNED ROTORS ETC. ( 1ST @ 18000 MILES) BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS (CURRENT MILAGE 28500) I HAVE BEEN HEARING OF OTHER INDIV. WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS IN THIS MODEL YEAR...RUMOR : ROTORS ARE TOO THIN /UNDERSIZED? FOR CAR HEAT BUILD UP ETC. I FEEL THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL . CAR IS HARD TO STOP IN A STRAIGHT LINE...I AM ALSO CONCERNED AS TO SUBARU BACKING UP THEIR WARRANTY ON THIS PROBLEM, AS I'VE BEEN HEARING SOME "HORROR STORIES" . CAN YOU EXPLORE THE SAFETY/WARRANTY ISSUES ON THIS PROBLEM?