Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2001 Subaru Outback, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel system, gasoline26
- Service brakes, hydraulic25
- Power train23
- Engine and engine cooling22
- Suspension19
- Vehicle speed control17
- Structure15
- Tires9
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Steering4
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 7 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2001 Subaru Outback failed the safety check 2.95% of the time — 47% more often than the average 2001 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 156,608 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
1 cars built in 2001 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In New Zealand
80 2001 cars are on the New Zealand register; 5% arrived as used imports, 93% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
5 Transport Canada recalls for the 2001 Subaru Outback.
| 2004094 16 Mar 2004 | Other 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 th… |
| 2003117 30 Apr 2003 | Suspension On certain vehicles operated in the "salt-belt" provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labr… |
| 2001040 21 Feb 2001 | Seats And Restraints 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 … |
| 2001014 29 Jan 2001 | Fuel System 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,… |
| 2001012 24 Jan 2001 | Steering On certain vehicles, improperly cast right front bearing housings could cause grease leakage, front wheel bearing failure due to loss of grease, or the possibi… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Subaru told its dealers about the 2001 Subaru Outback: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 631748 | SUBJECT REGARDING AUTO DIMMING ELECTROCHROMIC COMPASS MIRROR TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE. *SLC |
| 631499 | SUBJECT REGARDING ENGINE CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMMING. *SLC |
| 626953 | INFORMATION REGARDING ROOF RACK/CROSSBAR WIND NOISE. *YH |
| 623118 | SUBJECT REGARDING SERVICE MANUAL CORRECTIONS. *JB |
| 619263 | SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. (SOA) HAS DETERMINED THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY REQUIRE THE INSPECTION AND POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT OF THE INLET HEATER HOSE. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE INLET HEATER HOSE MAY HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTALLY CUT DURING PRODUCTION. IF CUT, THE HOSE MAY EVENTUALLY LEAK ENGINE COOLANT, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND POSSIBLY BE DAMAGED. *TT |
| 616344 | SUBJECT REGARDING INSPECTION PROCEDURES FOR POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT OF THE RIGHT FRONT SPINDLE HOUSING. *TT |
| 616335 | SUBJECT REGARDING INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR POSSIBLE LOOSE BOLTS ON THE RIGHT FRONT SEATBELT RETRACTOR CASE COVER. *TT |
| 616334 | SUBJECT REGARDING INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT OF THREE FUEL HOSES. *TT |
| 616332 | INFORMATION ON INSPECTING INLET HEATER HOSE. *TT |
| 613992 | SERVICE BULLETIN STATING THAT SUBARU WILL NO LONGER BE DISCONNECTING THE A/C UNIT AT THE COMPRESSOR FOR SHIPPING. THE REASON FOR THIS IS THAT THE LARGE ENGINE COVER USED ON THE H6 ENGINE, TO BE RELEASED LATER THIS YEAR, DOES NOT PROVIDE READY ACCESS TO THE A/C COMPRESSOR CONNECTOR. *TT |
| 11010925 | This annocement is to inform dealers to the Gen 3.1 Head Unit OTA will be available via Wi-Fi. The update will take place in multiple batches with the first beginneing November 15th and the last being Decemeber 3rd. This update is for approximatelt 714,000 VINs. |
| 11009701 | This bulletin details an important regulation issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which impacts the way some vehicles with accessories are sold. This regulation applies to any automobile retailer installing accessories on a vehicle prior to its first sale. |
| 11009685 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 11008283 | This Service Information Bulletin announces the preferred practices to be used when handling vehicles equipped with Gen2 Telematics which are enrolled in the Subaru STARLINK Security Plus Service featuring Stolen Vehicle Recovery Plus with Immobilizer. |
| 11008282 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 11008281 | This Service Information Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines. |
| 11008280 | This Service Information bulletin is being released as guidance for proper testing and charging of vehicle batteries. |
| 11008279 | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. |
| 11008276 | The CP1.5 RCs OTA is available for all mid and high grade CP1.5 head units. |
| 11008267 | This bulletin announces availability of the NEW genuine Subaru engine oil filter. |
| 11008259 | This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement. |
| 11006935 | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure for 2025MY vehicles. |
| 11006934 | The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site. |
| 11006932 | This Service Information Bulletin announces important diagnostic information to utilize when the Data Communication Module (DCM) is being tested as a dark current/standby current source. |
| 11006931 | This Bulletin provides additional diagnostics to follow when addressing a Telematics-related DTC B2A16. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)