NHTSA vehicle safety data

2000 Subaru Legacy Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2000 Subaru Legacy has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 94 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Subaru dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2000 Subaru Legacy, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2000 Subaru Legacy owner complaints

Owners have filed 94 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Subaru Legacy, describing incidents dated October 2, 1999 to June 25, 2019.

Most-cited components

Tires 17 complaints
Engine 16 complaints
Suspension 13 complaints
Power Train 12 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 10 complaints
Service Brakes 7 complaints

Of the 94 complaints on file, 8 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 94 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11245872 · Filed August 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A STATE INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SHOWED SEVERE RUST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED TWICE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION) BY PATRIOT SUBARU OF…
ODI #10950247 · Filed February 8, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURE, THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…
ODI #10854533 · Filed April 9, 2016
STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN STARTING IN COLD WEATHER.

Read all 94 complaints

Fuel Pump may Leak Fuel

NHTSA #13E065000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported November 29, 2013 · Airtex Products, LP

Potentially affected: 397 vehicles

Repair completion: 62.72% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Defect description

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. The affected fuel pumps were sold or installed into the aftermarket applications on or after July 26, 2013, and may may leak fuel from the base of a fuel line connection when the gas tank is full.

Safety consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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. This recall is being conducted by Airtex, not by Subaru.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

SUBARU/REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME CORROSION

NHTSA #03V153000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported April 22, 2003 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 170,000 vehicles

Subaru campaign WWM-96 · Owners notified July 14, 2003 · Vehicles built May 1, 1999 – April 30, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SUBARU/STEERING KNUCKLE ARM

NHTSA #00V091000 · Steering — Linkages — Tie Rod Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported March 24, 2000 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 129 vehicles

Owners notified March 24, 2000 · Vehicles built March 13, 2000 – March 16, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LEFT-SIDE STEERING KNUCKLE ARM WAS INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE LEFT SIDE TIE-ROD END CASTLE NUT AND INSTALL A NEW COTTER PIN.

Notes

NO VEHICLES HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO CUSTOMERS.ALL VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED BEFORE BEING DELIVERED TO CUSTOMERS.

SUBARU/TRANSVERSE LINK BRACKET BOLT

NHTSA #99V249000 · Power Train — Driveline — Center Support Bearing · NHTSA notice

Reported September 17, 1999 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 13 vehicles

Owners notified September 27, 1999 · Vehicles built July 12, 1999 – August 25, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN L MODEL PASSENGER VEHICLES. ANTI-RUST COATING WAS INCORRECTLY APPLIED TO THE TRANSVERSE LINK MOUNTING SURFACE OF THE VEHICLE BODY. OVER TIME THE COATING SHRINKS, CAUSING A TORQUE DECREASE OF THE BOLT THAT SECURES THE TRANSVERSE LINK BRACKET TO THE VEHICLE BODY.

Safety consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN LOOSENING OF THE BRACKET AND SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION OF THE TRANSVERSE LINK FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REMOVE THE ANTI-RUST COATING UNDER THE MOUNTING LOCATION OF THE LEFT TRANSVERVE LINK MOUNTING BRACKET BOLT AND RETORQUE THE MOUNTING BOLT TO THE REQUIRED TORQUE.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 1999. 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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2000 Subaru Legacy 4-DR. Wagon

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

2000 Subaru Legacy 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

94 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Subaru Legacy.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #11245872

Incident: June 25, 2019 · Filed: August 22, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A STATE INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SHOWED SEVERE RUST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED TWICE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION) BY PATRIOT SUBARU OF SACO (LOCATED AT 769 PORTLAND RD, SACO, ME 04072, (207) 284-7900). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE TWO SUB SECTIONS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,159. *BF CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RECALLS THAT WERE PERFORMED WERE NOT DONE PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH UNDERCOATING ON THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. *DL

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10950247

Incident: December 12, 2016 · Filed: February 8, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURE, THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10854533

Incident: April 9, 2016 · Filed: April 9, 2016

STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN STARTING IN COLD WEATHER.

Air Bags

ODI #10837475

Incident: February 19, 2016 · Filed: February 22, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Tires

ODI #10572770

Incident: March 15, 2014 · Filed: March 17, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A CONTINENTAL EXTREME CONTACT TIRE, SIZE: 205/55R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE SUSTAINED A BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT ALSO DISCOVERED A BLISTER ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REFERENCE TO THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS 155. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,904.

Air Bags

ODI #10556556

Crash 1 injury

Incident: December 15, 2013 · Filed: December 18, 2013

CAR SLID ON BLACK ICE OFF THE ROAD, DOWN A VERY STEEP EMBANKMENT, INTO THE SIDE OF A BUILDING, AND TOTALED THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Electrical System; Visibility; Structure

ODI #10555457

Fire 1 injury

Incident: December 9, 2013 · Filed: December 10, 2013

DRIVING TO WORK CAR RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MIN. THE WINDOW CONTROL SWITCH INSIDE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SMOKED AND QUICKLY CAUGHT FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND TURNED OFF THE CARD. I OPENED THE DOOR AND STEPPED OUT. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS THE PANEL ON THE CAR DOOR ALSO CAUGHT FIRE AND STARTING MELTING. I HAD BEACH TOWEL IN THE BACK OF THE CAR, AND TRIED TO SMOTHER THE FIRE WITH THE TOWEL, BUT QUICKLY DECIDED THE FIRE WAS TOO LARGE, GROWING TOO QUICKLY AND WAS ACTUALLY INSIDE THE DOOR. I GAVE UP ON THE TOWEL, AND IN LAST DITCH EFFORT TO THE SAVE THE CAR I GRABBED, AND TORE OFF THE PLASTIC DOOR PANEL AND THREW IT TO GROUND. SOME OF THE MELTED PLASTIC FROM THE DOOR PANEL DID GET ON MY HANDS, AND I RECEIVED SEVERAL BURNS TO MY FINGERS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. I WAS THEN ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE REMAINING FIRE. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR APPEARS TO BE LIMITED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. *TR

Engine

ODI #10553210

Incident: November 21, 2013 · Filed: November 21, 2013

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A VERY POWERFUL FUEL SMELL EMITTING FROM THE AREAS OF THE ENGINE. WHEN I POP THE HOOD THE SMELL IS THE STRONGEST. THE SMELL IS OF RAW GASOLINE (NOT EXHAUST OR ANYTHING OF THAT SORT) AND PERMEATES INTO THE CABIN AND ALL AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR EMERGES ONLY ON COLD DAYS, SPECIFICALLY TEMPERATURES THAT DROP BELOW 39 F. THE ODOR GROWS MORE POTENT AS THE CAR RUNS AND IF I ACTIVATE THE HEAT BLOWERS YOU AND SMELL IT EVEN MORE. THE ODOR EVEN LAST LONG AFTER THE CAR IS SHUT OFF, EXISTING AROUND THE ENGINE FOR HOURS AFTER SHUT DOWN. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10522568

Incident: June 13, 2013 · Filed: July 1, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 181,000. *TR

Suspension; Structure

ODI #10496080

Incident: February 1, 2013 · Filed: February 1, 2013

REAR SUBFRAME RUSTED AND BROKEN A PART - DEALER DEEMED CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

Other Subaru Legacy model years

Check your 2000 Subaru Legacy VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Subaru Legacy at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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