2001 Subaru Outback
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.
- Complaints
- 171
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 2001
None on file
20% of complaints
Complaints per year
2001: 171 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 46 |
| 1997 | 79 |
| 1998 | 127 |
| 1999 | 111 |
| 2000 | 207 |
| 2001 | 171 |
| 2002 | 143 |
| 2003 | 93 |
| 2004 | 90 |
| 2005 | 273 |
| 2006 | 277 |
| 2007 | 130 |
| 2008 | 226 |
| 2009 | 106 |
| 2010 | 360 |
| 2011 | 652 |
| 2012 | 295 |
| 2013 | 297 |
| 2014 | 208 |
| 2015 | 509 |
| 2016 | 642 |
| 2017 | 921 |
| 2018 | 816 |
| 2019 | 1,035 |
| 2020 | 903 |
| 2021 | 299 |
| 2022 | 465 |
| 2023 | 89 |
| 2024 | 105 |
| 2025 | 82 |
| 2026 | 21 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
20% · 35 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Fuel system, gasoline
15% · 26 reportsMost commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and fuel pump.
Engine and engine cooling
15% · 26 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Power train
13% · 23 reportsMost commonly citing clutch assembly and automatic transmission.
Suspension
12% · 20 reportsMost commonly citing rear and front.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, he lost control of the vehicle and spun out of control, crashing into an embankment.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-06-17
Also filed under Structure
I contacted Subaru's customer service number and told them that the subframe was broken and that they needed to fix the problem and they said I would have to pay out of pocket and that the recall was completed in August 2005 but the subframe is...
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-05-08
Also filed under Structure
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2003-01-08Power train02V282000 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…
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…
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2003-07-14Suspension03V153000 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…
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…
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2004-04-12Vehicle speed control04V128000 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…
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…
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Date not on fileFuel system, gasoline13E065000 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2001 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 35 reports on file for this year.
- Fuel system, gasoline: 26 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 26 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 13E065000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 02V282000 · Power train
- Recall 03V153000 · Suspension
- Recall 04V128000 · Vehicle speed control
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2001 Subaru Outback reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Subaru Outback is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Subaru Outback?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2001 Subaru Outback have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.