2001 SUBARU LEGACY — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

90

Owner Complaints

12 Crashes 2 Fires

8

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

16

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2001 SUBARU LEGACY

The 2001 SUBARU LEGACY has received a total of 90 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES, SUSPENSION:REAR, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. 16 technical service bulletins have been issued by Subaru of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Vehicle Speed Control (9 complaints), Fuel System Gasoline (8 complaints), and Tires (6 complaints).

Recalls for the 2001 SUBARU LEGACY

NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2001 SUBARU LEGACY, potentially affecting up to 477,969 vehicles.

Recall 04V128000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

| 127,580 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

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

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....

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Recall 03V153000 — SUSPENSION:REAR

| 170,000 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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

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...

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Recall 02V282000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

| 172,564 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

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

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...

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Recall 01V034000 — SEATS

| 3,627 vehicles affected

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

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.

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...

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Recall 00V392000 — SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

| 368 vehicles affected

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

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

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

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Recall 00V393000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

| 1,456 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

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

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.

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Recall 00V391000 — STEERING:LINKAGES

| 1,977 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

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.

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

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Recall 13E065000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

| 397 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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

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...

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Owner Complaints for the 2001 SUBARU LEGACY

90 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 SUBARU LEGACY. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 9 5 Crashes 1 Injury
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 8
Tires
Complaints: 6 1 Crash 1 Fire
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 5
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 4
Engine
Complaints: 3 1 Crash
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 3
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 3 1 Fire 1 Injury
Fuel System Gasolinedelivery
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 3 1 Crash
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 3
Suspension
Complaints: 3
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes
Fuel System Otherdeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 2
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 2
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 2
Tiressidewall
Complaints: 2
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
Complaints: 2
Wheels
Complaints: 2
Air Bagssidewindow
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical System
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 1
Equipment
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinecarburetor System
Complaints: 1
Power Train
Complaints: 1
Power Trainclutch Assembly
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsrearother
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 1
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpump
Complaints: 1
Structure
Complaints: 1
Structurebody
Complaints: 1
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlcables
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core
Complaints: 1
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 1
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Wheelsrim
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11673162 | TIRES | | N/A miles
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
#11442221 | SUSPENSION | | 130,000 miles
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.
#11354982 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | 120,000 miles
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
#11318356 | POWER TRAIN | | 126,000 miles
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
#11186188 | ENGINE | | 186,010 miles Crash
SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE SUBARU WAS AT REST IN DRIVE.

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Safety Rating for the 2001 SUBARU LEGACY

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2001 SUBARU LEGACY in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2001 SUBARU LEGACY

Subaru of America, Inc. has issued 16 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2001 SUBARU LEGACY. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

04-13-09R — EQUIPMENT

If you encounter a vehicle that has a groaning type noise coming from the power steering pump when the wheel is turned to the full right or left position when the vehicle is parked, it may be caused by the relief valve vibrating within the pump. In lieu of replacing...

118006 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. VEHICLES EQUIPED WITH H-6 3.0L ENGINES. *KB

129406 — VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

LOOSE DOOR MIRROR SCREWS. *KB

1810506 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

SERVICE MANUAL CORRECTIONS. *TT

127903 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

LOWER FRONT DOOR WEATHER STRIP DETACHED OR HANGING LOOSE. *TT

030103 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

NEW HOOD DEFLECTOR. 2000-2004MY LEGACY AND BAJA VEHICLES. *TT

010901 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

SUBJECT REGARDING, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0457-EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. *YD

010901 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

SUBJECT REGARDING EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. *YD

010901 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

SUBJECT REGARDING CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD. *YD

010901 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

SUBJECT REGARDING COOLING FAN FUNCTION PROBLEM. *YD

Showing 10 of 16 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2001 SUBARU LEGACY

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the SUBARU LEGACY

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Other SUBARU Models

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Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report