2001 Subaru Legacy

● Typical for this model
2001 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:13:01.535Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Legacy Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2001 highlighted. 1987: 1 complaints 1987 1988: 1 complaints 1989: 1 complaints 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 55 complaints 1992 1993: 77 complaints 1994: 60 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2001 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 182 complaints 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2007 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 150 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2012 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 159 complaints 2016: 145 complaints 2017: 118 complaints 2017 2018: 116 complaints 2019: 122 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 32 complaints 2022 2023: 10 complaints 2024: 15 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025
2001: 77 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19871
19881
19891
199081
199178
199255
199377
199460
1995182
1996123
1997139
1998114
199994
200094
200177
200254
200360
200449
2005182
200687
200733
200865
200965
2010150
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015159
2016145
2017118
2018116
2019122
2020121
202131
202232
202310
202415
20256

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%

10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 8 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVING ON SECONDARY ROAD - WELL KNOW TO ME - AT DUSK @ 45 MPH APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WITH A MAJOR ROAD. BEGAN TO TAP GENTLY ON BRAKE TO EASE TO MY "YIELD" OR STOP IN CASE DRIVER ON OTHER ROAD DID NOT DO SO.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040128

VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND ENGINE WAS OFF. CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, AND VEHICLE OVERACCELERATED AND "LANDED ON TOP" OF CAR BEHIND HER. DEALERSHIP HAS VEHICLE AND REPAIRING DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20010410

CONSUMER HAD FOOT ON BRAKES WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, AND VEHCLE TOOK OFF. IT WENT THROUGH A FENCE AND DOWN INTO A DITCH. DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THROTTLE MUST HAVE GOTTEN STUCK, BUT NO PROOF IN INSPECTION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20010315

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 10%

10% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 8 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

WHEN STARTING CAR IN COLD WEATHER THERE IS A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR IN CABIN. SUBSEQUENT RESEARCH HAS INDICATED THAT OTHER 2001 LEGACY WAGONS HAVE BEEN RECALLED DUE TO EXACT SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140410

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND DROVE IT BACK TO NORTHERN KENTUCKY. IT PRODUCED APPROXIMATELY 380 MILES ON ONE TANK OF FUEL. NOTE: IT WAS WELL INTO THE 50-60 F RANGE OUTSIDE WHILE DRIVING DURING THAT TIME.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131224

TIRES 8%

8% of complaints: tires — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Headed home from a vet appointment in mountain home. Was driving on the freeway at 80mph when the tire blew at the Wendell exit. Checked the tire to find that the inside wall had failed and had a blowout.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250713

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 6%

6% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 5 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 4 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20010126 — steering

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FRONT BEARING HOUSINGS WITH A LOT NUMBER OF OF15.

Campaign 00V391000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010126 — seat belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INCORRECT BEIGE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS INSTALLED. THE BELT LENGTH IS TOO SHORT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL BEIGE COLORED REAR CENTER LAP/SHOULDER BELTS WITH LOT NUMBER 0171.

Campaign 00V392000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010126 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

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.

Campaign 00V393000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010330 — seats

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUALLY-ADJUSTABLE (NON-POWERED) SEATS. CERTAIN INNER FRONT SLIDE RAIL LATCH MECHANISMS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED.

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 N

Campaign 01V034000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030108 — power train

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 PL

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 V

Campaign 02V282000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030714 — suspension

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,

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

Campaign 03V153000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040412 — vehicle speed control

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 ACCELERATO

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 NOTIF

Campaign 04V128000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 13E065000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2001 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 13E065000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V391000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V392000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V393000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V034000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V282000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V153000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V128000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2021 ▲ 2022 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 2005 ■ 2011

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2001 Subaru Legacy reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Subaru Legacy is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Subaru Legacy?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 10% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2001 Subaru Legacy have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.