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Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (7)
Vehicle speed control: cables
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
Suspension: rear
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Power train: automatic transmission
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Seats
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUALLY-ADJUSTABLE (NON-POWERED) SEATS. CERTAIN INNER FRONT SLIDE RAIL LATCH MECHANISMS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IF AN INNER SLIDE RAIL LATCH MECHANISM BREAKS DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING, FORWARD AND REARWARD SEAT ADJUSTMENT WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SLIDE RAILS COULD BREAK, EXPOSING THE OCCUPANT TO A RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH FRONT SEAT INNER SLIDE RAILS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 30, 2001. 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.
Steering: linkages
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A CASTING FLAW IN THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING HOUSING COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING IF THE CASTING FLAW SHOULD EXIST IN THE TIE-ROD ARM.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THIS CASTING FLAW COULD CAUSE GREASE LEAKAGE, FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE DUE TO LOSS OF GREASE, OR LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO TIE-ROD END SEPARATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FRONT BEARING HOUSINGS WITH A LOT NUMBER OF OF15.
Seat belts: rear/other
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INCORRECT BEIGE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS INSTALLED. THE BELT LENGTH IS TOO SHORT.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL BEIGE COLORED REAR CENTER LAP/SHOULDER BELTS WITH LOT NUMBER 0171.
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE OF UNDER-HOOD FUEL HOSES AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (-40 DEGREES C) ONCE THE FUEL HOSES AGE AND BECOME LESS FLEXIBLE.
Risk and remedy
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR UNDER-HOOD FUEL HOSES WITH LOT NUMBERS 0804 AND 0806 AND ALL FUEL HOSES WITH THOSE NUMBERS WILL BE REPLACED.
Canadian recalls (6)
Show 6 Canadian recalls
Other
2004-03-16 · campaign 2004-094
On certain Legacy, Outback H-6 3.0L and Impreza WRX 2.0L Turbo, 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 which may cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Correction: Dealer will install a retaining clip to the cruise control lever tab.
Suspension
2003-04-30 · campaign 2003-117
On certain vehicles operated in the "salt-belt" provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador. The rear suspension subframe components were produced with poor paint quality which, after continued exposure to corrosive road salts for a period of several years, may result in rust-out of the component and possible breakage of the subframe. Correction: Dealer will clean and rust-proof with anti-rust oil and anti-rust wax.
Seats and restraints
2001-02-21 · campaign 2001-040 · 268 vehicles
On certain vehicles, the inner seat-rail rail locking pawl may be improperly welded to the moveable adjustment lever rod. After several seat adjustments, the spot welds holding the locking pawl to the rod may break loose. This could cause the locking pawl to possibly fall out of position and fail to lock the inner seat rail of the seat. This condition could increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a sudden stop or vehicle crash. Correction: Suspect inner front seat-rails will be replaced.
Seats and restraints
2001-01-29 · campaign 2001-013 · 18 vehicles
On certain vehicles with beige interiors, during production of the rear center lap/shoulder belts for the Legacy Sedan, the lap/shoulder belt webbing was cut to the same length of webbing used on Legacy Station Wagon models (2620 mm). The sedan belt length should be 2800 mm. Correction: Dealers will replace the rear center lap/shoulder belts.
Fuel system
2001-01-29 · campaign 2001-014 · 122 vehicles
On certain vehicles, separation of fuel hose layers and heat deterioration of the fuel hose can result in fuel leakage in very cold temperatures. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source could result in an underhood fire. These fuel hoses were produced under Lot Numbers 0804 and 0806. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and all fuel hoses with Lot Numbers 0804 and 0806 will be replaced.
Steering
2001-01-24 · campaign 2001-012 · 251 vehicles
On certain vehicles, improperly cast right front bearing housings could cause grease leakage, front wheel bearing failure due to loss of grease, or the possibility of steering loss due to tie rod separation. This could result in loss of vehicle control and a crash. Correction: Affected right front bearing housings will be replaced.
Owner complaints (77)
Owners filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Subaru Legacy/Outback (11 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries reported). Among 39 model years of this model, it ranks #20 for the most complaints (median 77).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline | 17 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | |
| Tires | 8 | |
| Suspension | 6 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 6 | |
| Visibility | 5 | |
| Wheels | 3 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Subaru Legacy/Outback.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2001 Subaru Legacy 4-DR. | – | – | – | – |
| 2001 Subaru Legacy 4-DR.W agon | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2001 Subaru Legacy/Outback version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Legacy AWD 2.5 L Automatic 4-spd | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Legacy AWD 2.5 L Manual 5-spd | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Legacy Wagon AWD 2.5 L Automatic 4-spd | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Legacy Wagon AWD 2.5 L Manual 5-spd | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Legacy Wagon AWD 3.0 L Automatic 4-spd | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.