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2001 Subaru Outback Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 171 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Subaru Outback, most often about the fuel system (19% of complaints, typically around 83,000 miles). It is 18th of 27 Outback model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2001 Subaru Outback problems
Fuel system
32 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system.
I have a 2001 Subaru Outback station wagon. On very cold days, there is a strong smell of fuel that pervades the passenger cabin. We had to drive with windows open even when 20-degrees outside or expose my 3yr son to the gagging fumes. This problem is a known issue (there are literally 1000's of posts on Subaru owners…
2001 Subaru legacy Outback. Fuel vapor smell in cabin when temperatures fall below freezing. This has been a persistent problem for the three winters we have owned the car. This fall I found several comments online which prompted me to tighten the hose clamps on fuel lines running to/from the engine compartment fuel…
Brakes
30 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 33,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, conventional, disc.
During cold weather (today was 15 f), brakes do not work on first application from a cold start. Brakes have been service twice (pads replaced, rotors turned) but dealer cannot replicate problem since the car has warmed up.
Front brake pads wore out at less than 36,000. Dealer replaced the pads under the warranty. Come to find out the rotors are warped too. We did not realize it until a little over 36,000 miles. Dealer will not fix rotors under warranty because we brought for service after warranty expired. A little research has…
Transmission
23 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles. Parts named most often: clutch assembly, automatic transmission, driveline.
The clutch on our 2001 Subaru Outback limited shudders when the car and/or temperature is cold. It has done this for the last 30-40,000 miles.
Clutch shudder problem since 20k miles. Happens when cold or damp out, hesitates when accelerating in first gear, from stopped position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer 3 times, including test drive w/ mechanic,can't find the problem.
Engine
22 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
2001 Subaru Outback at 90k after 2.5 engine is started it rattles like the valve lifters are not getting oil lubrication. It last for about 10 minutes or until the engine temp gauge is in the normal range. It does this when the engine has been sitting more that 8 hours without starting. Changing of oil in crankcase…
2001 Subaru Outback leaks fuel in cold weather. Read on the web about hundreds of owners with this complaint. Live in massachusetts and when the weather gets below about 25 degrees fuel smell fills the passenger cabin. Appears to come from under the engine manifold. Hope to not pass out from fuel vapors. Haven't had a…
Suspension
19 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 157,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
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…
On sunday 29 2015 at 12.30 am .. My son was driving and a loud noise was coming from under the car . He had some trouble to turn and stop on the side. He did it ,we had to tow the car. The s arm broke subframe broke off. Was all rusted ..
Speed control
17 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 41,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, linkages, cruise control, cables.
My 2001 Subaru Outback suddenly accelerates, on its own, while my foot is lightly on the brake. This happens mostly in parking lots/pulling into parking spaces.
Dt: the odomoter was not reading correctly. On 2 separate occasions the contact tested the odometer and the results were not correct. The contact believed that if the odometer was not reading correctly then the speedometer was not reading correctly.
Body and structure
15 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 155,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
On sunday 29 2015 at 12.30 am .. My son was driving and a loud noise was coming from under the car . He had some trouble to turn and stop on the side. He did it ,we had to tow the car. The s arm broke subframe broke off. Was all rusted ..
The contact owns a 2001 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the rear suspension and sub frame was found severely to be corroded during a routine inspection. The sub frame and suspension were also fractured. The dealer advised the contact that NHTSA campaign number: 03v153000 (suspension) was previously performed…
Wheels and tires
11 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: sidewall, rim, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
While driving 50 MPH front passenger side wheel studs sheared off. As a result, the wheel separated from the vehicle. No collision reported.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Subaru Outback recalls
Speed control: cables
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: rear
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2001 Subaru Outback
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Subaru Outback?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (32 complaints, typically around 83,000 miles); brakes (30 complaints, typically around 33,500 miles); transmission (23 complaints, typically around 26,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Subaru Outback have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 16, 2004 (speed control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Subaru Outback?
- It is 18th of 27 Outback model years by number of complaints, with 171 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.