2001 Subaru Outback recalls and problems

The 2001 Subaru Outback has 3 safety recalls and 171 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

171

Crashes / fires

16 / 5

Injuries / deaths

7 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Subaru Outback vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Subaru Outback recalls

Recall 04V-128: Vehicle Speed Control

Reported Mar 16, 2004 · 127,580 vehicles affected · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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: If this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 03V-153: Suspension

Reported Apr 22, 2003 · 170,000 vehicles affected · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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: If such breakage occurs while the vehicle is being operated, control of the vehicle could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 02V-282: Power Train

Reported Oct 30, 2002 · 172,564 vehicles affected · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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: The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

2001 Subaru Outback problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	32
Engine and Engine Cooling	26
Fuel System, Gasoline	26
Power Train	23
Suspension	20
Vehicle Speed Control	17
Structure	15
Tires	10
Steering	6
Unknown or Other	4
Fuel/Propulsion System	4
Parking Brake	3

Most reported parts

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 14
Power Train › Clutch Assembly — 12
Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 9
Structure › Body — 5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads — 5
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 4
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 4

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 74,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2001 Subaru Outback complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Structure · at 275,100 miles · reported May 8, 2019

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 completely rusted out and broken please contact subaru and get them to open another recall on these cars because the fix that they used didn't work

Fuel/Propulsion System · at 90,000 miles · reported Jan 7, 2016

During cold weather, there is a very strong smell of gasoline inside the car. It's coming from a fuel leak near the passenger side of the engine. I first noticed it about 4 years (60,000 miles) ago. The car currently has 150,000 miles on it. It hasn't been fixed yet. It hasn't caught fire yet either.

Unknown or Other · reported Dec 23, 2015

My son was driving this car on may 23, 2015 when he was involved in a single car accident. The car was immediately engulfed in fire and he died as a result of the fire.

Suspension · at 157,000 miles · reported Dec 4, 2015

The contact owns a 2001 subaru outback. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for service and it was diagnosed that the rear sub-frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 03v153000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.

Structure · at 113,000 miles · reported Sep 4, 2015

The contact owns a 2001 subaru outback. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic because the check engine light was illuminated. While the vehicle was being lifted, the mechanic noticed that the rear subframe was extremely corroded. The contact was informed by the mechanic that the rear subframe of the vehicle was corroded and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.

Other Subaru Outback years

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Compare all Subaru Outback years · All Subaru models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2001 Subaru Outback: 04V-128 (vehicle speed control), 03V-153 (suspension), 02V-282 (power train). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Subaru Outback?

Owners report service brakes, hydraulic problems most often (32 reports), followed by engine and engine cooling (26). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 74,000 miles.

Are Subaru recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Subaru dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.