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, Feb 11, 2002
OVERDRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DRIVER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC. MECHANIC STATED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Suspension, Feb 11, 2002
THERE IS VIBRATION COMING FROM FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. IF VEHICLE HITS A BUMP STEERING WHEEL ALMOST JERKED OUT OF DRIVER'S HAND. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Power train, Jan 28, 2002
SINCE NEW, THE CLUTCH IN THIS CAR HAS HAD A BAD SHUDDER WHEN COLD OUTSIDE -- BAD ENOUGH TO SHAKE THE ENTIRE CAR AS THE CLUTCH ENGAGES. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT'S COLD, BUT NOT ALL THE TIME WHEN IT'S COLD, MAKING IT NIGH IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE DEALER TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. 20K MILES LATER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS FOR ME AND APPARENTLY MANY, MANY OTHER OUTBACK DRIVERS. INTERNET POSTS CONFIRM THAT THIS IS A "COMMON" SUBARU PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH A FIX IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE ARE KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH SOME LEGACY/OUTBACK CLUTCHES, BUT UNTIL THE CLUTCH WILL RELIABLY FAIL WHILE THEY HAVE IT, THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MOST PEOPLE, LIKE ME, JUST DEAL WITH THE HORRIBLE SHAKING, BUT I CAN CERTAINLY SEE HOW THIS COULD LEAD TO A HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHEN SOMEONE TRIES TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC AND BECOMES STARTLED BY THE SHUDDERING CAR, BACKING OFF THE GAS AND POSSIBLY GETTING HIT.
Power train, Jan 26, 2002
THE CLUTCH OR FLYWHEEL APPEARS DEFECTIVE. THE CLUTCH SHUDDERS OR CHATTERS WHEN ENGAGED WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO HESITATE UPON ACCELERATION. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 9,000 MILES AND HAS CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY TILL NOW AT 18,000 MILES. SUBARU HAS AGREED TO REPLACE MY CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL, BUT I AM CONCERNED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AMONG OTHER SUBARU DRIVERS AND THE SERVICE TECHS REPORT THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMEN AND NORMAL FOR SUABRUS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OR MANUFACTORING OF THE CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL ASSEMBLY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SPEAK TO ANYONE REGARDING THIS ISSUE. WHEN YOU ENGAGE THE CLUTCH UPON ACCELERATION THE CAR JERKS AND TREMBLES, CHATTERS, SHUDDERS BEFORE ENGAGING. THIS SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED AS NORMAL OPERATION. THANK YOU.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 16, 2002
BRAKES ARE UNEVEN AND UNDEPENDABLE. CAR BUCKS FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN DOWNHILL BRAKING APPLICATION
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Jan 14, 2002
ON SIX OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S FOOT SLIPPED FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM DUE TO INSUFFICIENT SPACE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE. *AK ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, WHILE MOVING SLOWLY AHEAD, THE VEHICLE HAD GONE OUT OF CONTROL. SCC
Steering, Jan 12, 2002, crash
AT 30 MPH IN A CURVE ON CR73 FROM CONIFER TO EVERGREEN, CO. IN 3RD GEAR, STEERING RACK AND PINION BROKE, AND CAR DID A 360 DEGREE SPIN ON DRY PAVEMENT AND SLID INTO A DIRT MOUND. ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD, HAPPENING WITH NO TRAFFIC, AND IN THIS LOCATION, WAS MY WIFE'S LIFE SPARED.POLICE REPORT WITH COLORADO STATE PATROL ON FILE.*AK
Steering, Nov 22, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Structure, Oct 20, 2001
NO FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. SUBARU HAS ACKNOWLEDGED IN PRINT, 'DRIVE' MAGAZINE THAT THEIR EXPENSIVE VDC SYSTEM IS A LIBILITY IN CERTAIN COMMON WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS AND HAVE INCLUDED ON ALL NEW MODELS AN 'OFF' SWITCH AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT. WINTER IS COMING, AND WE HAVE A VEHICLE WHICH COULD ACTUALLY BE RENDERED IMMOBILE BY ITS TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. WE HAVE REQUESTED TWICE THAT A SWITCH BE ADDED AND HAVE BEEN REFUSED WITH SUBARU ONLY SAYING THAT THE MATTER IS BEING REFERRED TO MARKETING AND ENGINEERING. WE HAVE THE ARTICLE AND INFORMATION FROM THE NEW MODELS CONCERNING THIS AND WOULD BE PLEASED TO FORWARD THEM TO YOU. REGARDS, BETSY KUC. *AK
Tires, Sep 13, 2001
SIDEWALL ON RIGHT/REAR TIRE SHREDDED WHILE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 65 MPH. THEN, RIGHT REAR TIRE DROPPED, AND CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, 6000 MILES MOUNTED ON A 2001, SUBARU, OUTBACK WAGON.*AK *YD
Suspension, Aug 22, 2001
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE GOES TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER, BUT NO NOTATION HAS BEEN MADE CONCERNING THE PROBLEM. ONE OF THE DEALERSHIPS EMPLOYEE'S TEST DROVE VEHICLE WITH CONSUMER, AND DID NOT NOTICE WHEEL TURNING. DEALER HAS SHOWEN NO CONCERN TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE ADD THE VIN# AND MILEAGE TO FORM.*AK
Tires, Aug 20, 2001
TIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATED AND THE TIRE DEFLATED RAPIDLY. THE CAR HANDLED WELL BUT THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK
Structure, Jun 26, 2001
AUTOMATIC LOCKING SYSTEM CAN BE TRIGGERED BY TWO BUTTONS INSIDE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, THIS LOCKS ALL DOORS IN VEHICLE. HAVEN'T CONTACTED DEALER YET. *AK AUTOMATIC LOCKING SYSTEM EASILY ENGAGES WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING, LOCKING KEYS INSIDE. THE DEALER STATES THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN ADDED SAFE GUARD AGAINST LOCKING KEYS INSIDE,PARTICULARLY WITH MOTOR RUNNING. *YH
Steering, Suspension, Jun 2, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK (TIRESIZE: 225/60/16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225/60/16 )
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 17, 2001
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, SLOWLY THE VEHICLE CAME TO A FULL STOP, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO DEALERSHIP AND MECHANIC DISCOVERED THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDER. *JB
Vehicle speed control, May 4, 2001, crash
WHILE ON LINE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE CONSUMER PUT FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR AT SAME TIME. CONSUMER ACCELERATED INTO REAR OF SOMEONE'S CAR. CONSUMER FELT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN THESE PEDALS.*AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR ARE POORLY LOCATED DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. *YH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 3, 2001
WHILE TRAVELING AT 20MPH AND WHEN STOPPING AT A LIGHT DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL, NOTICED PEDAL TRAVELING TO FLOORBOARD, AND LOST BRAKE POWER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Steering, Apr 30, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Tires, Apr 15, 2001
WHEN YOU PUT CAR IN R AND START TO GO ALL 4 TIRES DONT ENGAGE AT THE SAME TIME. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 7, 2001
ENGINE ACCELERATES SPONTANEOUSLY AT SLOW SPEED ENTERING GARAGE WITH FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL WHILE BRAKING TO KEEP SPEED LOW.