NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Subaru Legacy Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2001 Subaru Legacy has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 77 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 2001 Subaru Legacy, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2001 Subaru Legacy owner complaints

Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Subaru Legacy, describing incidents dated October 13, 2000 to July 10, 2025.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 19 complaints
Engine 14 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 9 complaints
Tires 8 complaints
Service Brakes 7 complaints
Suspension 6 complaints

Of the 77 complaints on file, 11 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 77 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11673162 · Filed July 13, 2025
Headed home from a vet appointment in mountain home. Was driving on the freeway at 80mph when the tire blew at the Wendell exit. Checked the tire to find that the inside wall had failed and had a blowout. The tire was installed June 8th 2025 and had less than 1,000 miles on it. I have never in 26…
ODI #11442221 · Filed December 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2001 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while his son was driving at highway speeds, the vehicle would wobble without warning. After the contact test drove the vehicle and experienced the failure himself, he took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and discovered that the…
ODI #11354982 · Filed September 14, 2020
ALWAYS, WHEN THE CIRCULATION FRESH AIR BUTTON IS PRESSED TO ALLOW OUTSIDE AIR TO ENTER THE CABIN, THERE IS THE NOXIOUS ODOR OF GASOLINE. I REPLACED THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF A TIMING BELT RELATED PROBLEM AT 160,000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM OF GAS ODOR STOPPED FOR A FEW MONTHS BUT IT IS BACK, BAD AS EVER…

Read all 77 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/CRUISE CONTROL CABLE

NHTSA #04V128000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Cables · NHTSA notice

Reported March 16, 2004 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 127,580 vehicles

Subaru campaign WWQ-01 · Owners notified April 12, 2004 · Vehicles built March 15, 2000 – February 19, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Notes

SUBARU RECALL NO. WWQ-01.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/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/TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD

NHTSA #02V282000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported October 30, 2002 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 172,564 vehicles

Subaru campaign WWK-94 · Owners notified January 8, 2003 · Vehicles built June 1, 2001 – September 30, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 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/SEAT RAILS

NHTSA #01V034000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported February 7, 2001 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 3,627 vehicles

Owners notified March 30, 2001 · Vehicles built October 19, 2000 – November 9, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUALLY-ADJUSTABLE (NON-POWERED) SEATS. CERTAIN INNER FRONT SLIDE RAIL LATCH MECHANISMS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED.

Safety consequence

IF AN INNER SLIDE RAIL LATCH MECHANISM BREAKS DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING, FORWARD AND REARWARD SEAT ADJUSTMENT WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SLIDE RAILS COULD BREAK, EXPOSING THE OCCUPANT TO A RISK OF INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH FRONT SEAT INNER SLIDE RAILS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 30, 2001. 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

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

SUBARU/FUEL LEAKAGE

NHTSA #00V393000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported November 21, 2000 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 1,456 vehicles

Subaru campaign WXZ-83 · Owners notified January 26, 2001 · Vehicles built August 16, 2000 – August 25, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE OF UNDER-HOOD FUEL HOSES AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (-40 DEGREES C) ONCE THE FUEL HOSES AGE AND BECOME LESS FLEXIBLE.

Safety consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR UNDER-HOOD FUEL HOSES WITH LOT NUMBERS 0804 AND 0806 AND ALL FUEL HOSES WITH THOSE NUMBERS WILL BE REPLACED.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 26, 2001.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).

SUBARU/SEAT BELT WEBBING

NHTSA #00V392000 · Seat Belts — Rear/Other · NHTSA notice

Reported November 21, 2000 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 368 vehicles

Subaru campaign WWA-84 · Owners notified January 26, 2001 · Vehicles built June 21, 2000 – August 9, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INCORRECT BEIGE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS INSTALLED. THE BELT LENGTH IS TOO SHORT.

Safety consequence

THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL BEIGE COLORED REAR CENTER LAP/SHOULDER BELTS WITH LOT NUMBER 0171.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 26, 2001. 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).

SUBARU/STEERING

NHTSA #00V391000 · Steering — Linkages · NHTSA notice

Reported November 21, 2000 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 1,977 vehicles

Subaru campaign WXY-82 · Owners notified January 26, 2001 · Vehicles built August 14, 2000 – August 28, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A CASTING FLAW IN THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING HOUSING COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING IF THE CASTING FLAW SHOULD EXIST IN THE TIE-ROD ARM.

Safety consequence

THIS CASTING FLAW COULD CAUSE GREASE LEAKAGE, FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE DUE TO LOSS OF GREASE, OR LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO TIE-ROD END SEPARATION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FRONT BEARING HOUSINGS WITH A LOT NUMBER OF OF15.

Notes

2001 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

2001 Subaru Legacy 4-DR.W agon

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

77 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Subaru Legacy.

Tires

ODI #11673162

Incident: July 10, 2025 · Filed: July 13, 2025

Headed home from a vet appointment in mountain home. Was driving on the freeway at 80mph when the tire blew at the Wendell exit. Checked the tire to find that the inside wall had failed and had a blowout. The tire was installed June 8th 2025 and had less than 1,000 miles on it. I have never in 26 years of being around vehicles had a brand new tire fail in less than 1,000 miles. Tire was a good year reliant all season 195/65/R15. That tire blowout could have killed me and my family. I stopped at the Walmart that I bought the tire from with the receipt and was told "oh that sucks. We can replace it for you if you want to buy a new one a full price." How can a company sell a tire from a brand like good year that isn't even covered for a 1,000 miles? That's absolutely mind blowing. Had anyone gotten injured from the accident I would filling charges against Walmart for selling me a faulty tire

Suspension

ODI #11442221

Incident: November 1, 2021 · Filed: December 1, 2021

The contact owns a 2001 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while his son was driving at highway speeds, the vehicle would wobble without warning. After the contact test drove the vehicle and experienced the failure himself, he took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and discovered that the rear control arm had rotted out due to severe corrosion. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle had been placed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V153000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and confirmed the prior recall on the vehicle; however, they could not offer any further assistance. The contact also took the vehicle to the dealer where they informed him that the entire subframe had rotted out due to corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in their possession. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11354982

Incident: September 9, 2020 · Filed: September 14, 2020

ALWAYS, WHEN THE CIRCULATION FRESH AIR BUTTON IS PRESSED TO ALLOW OUTSIDE AIR TO ENTER THE CABIN, THERE IS THE NOXIOUS ODOR OF GASOLINE. I REPLACED THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF A TIMING BELT RELATED PROBLEM AT 160,000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM OF GAS ODOR STOPPED FOR A FEW MONTHS BUT IT IS BACK, BAD AS EVER. WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN? YEARS AND YEARS

Power Train

ODI #11318356

Incident: January 10, 2020 · Filed: March 17, 2020

I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT ONTO A MAIN STREET AND WHEN I STARTED TO STEP ON THE GAS THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO GO SO WELL AND THE RPMS WHAT ARE GETTING PRETTY HIGH AND THE CLUTCH WAS SLIPPING THE FLUID WAS A LITTLE BIT LOW SO WE ADDED THE RECOMMENDED FLUID THE DEXTRON 111.. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE ABOUT 5 MILES ON THE FREEWAY ABOUT 60 MILES AN HOUR BACK TO OUR HOUSE THE NEXT MORNING WE GOT UP TO LEAVE THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE FORWARD THE CLUTCH SLIPPING REALLY BAD AND ALSO IS DOING THE SAME IN REVERSE.. I HAVE OWNED BY SUBARUS AND I WAS ALSO THE SALES AND FINANCE MANAGER FOR NADER SUBARU IN EUREKA CALIFORNIA IN 2005 TO 2010

Engine

ODI #11186188

Crash

Incident: March 10, 2019 · Filed: March 12, 2019

SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE SUBARU WAS AT REST IN DRIVE.

Engine

ODI #11151484

Incident: November 12, 2018 · Filed: November 14, 2018

IN COLDER WEATHER I HAVE FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL LINES UNDER THE HOOD WHICH CREATES A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND NHSTA RECALL # 00V393000 . I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS FOR MY VEHICLE OR NOT. SINCE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, COULD IT BE REPAIRED AT AT SUBARU DEALER NEAR ME ?

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10654159

Incident: November 11, 2014 · Filed: November 11, 2014

GAS FUEL LINES IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT LEAKING IN COLD WEATHER. GAS POOLING ON ENGINE CREATING FIRE HAZARD. SAME ISSUE AS OTHER SUBARU. STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE CABIN AND OUT. *TR

Structure

ODI #10643627

Incident: October 8, 2014 · Filed: October 9, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V153000 (SUSPENSION). HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE SUB FRAME WAS FOUND CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,131.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10578925

Incident: November 30, 2013 · Filed: April 10, 2014

WHEN STARTING CAR IN COLD WEATHER THERE IS A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR IN CABIN. SUBSEQUENT RESEARCH HAS INDICATED THAT OTHER 2001 LEGACY WAGONS HAVE BEEN RECALLED DUE TO EXACT SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS NOT RECALLED, WHICH IS CONFUSING GIVEN THAT THE EXACT SAME RISKS ARE ASSOCIATED. *TR

Service Brakes

ODI #10562103

Incident: December 16, 2013 · Filed: January 29, 2014

COLD WEATHER BELOW 32 DEGREES NO BRAKE PEDAL ON COLD START- DIFFICULT TO STOP CAR MOVING UNDER 5MPH. AFTER WARM UP FOR 5-10 MINUTES- DEPENDING ON HOW COLD THE TEMP. PEDAL COMES BACK AND BRAKES SEEM TO OPERATE NORMALLY. *TR

Other Subaru Legacy model years

Check your 2001 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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