2001 Subaru Outback recalls
Problem: 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…
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
397 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
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.
127,580 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Suspension · NHTSA 03V153000 · Apr 22, 2003
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…
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.
170,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Power Train · NHTSA 02V282000 · Oct 30, 2002
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…
172,564 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Latest owner complaints
Suspension · May 8, 2019 · 275,100 miles · MN
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…
Structure · May 8, 2019 · 275,100 miles · MN
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…
Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 7, 2016 · 90,000 miles · MD
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 · Dec 23, 2015 · VA · crash · fire
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 · Dec 4, 2015 · 157,000 miles · CT
Tl* 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…
Structure · Sep 4, 2015 · 113,000 miles · MA
Tl* 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…
Structure · Apr 27, 2015 · 120,000 miles · NY
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 subaru outback. While at an independent mechanic for a routine service repair, the technician stated that the rear subframe was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 03V153000 (suspension), but the VIN was not included. The…
Suspension · Mar 31, 2015 · 180,980 miles · CT
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 .. *tr
Structure · Mar 31, 2015 · 180,980 miles · CT
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 .. *tr
Service Brakes · Feb 1, 2015 · 230,000 miles · VA
Outside temperature was 25 degrees f. I was leaving from the parking lot at work. As I approached the intersection the brakes became so hard that I couldn't press them any farther. I sis some research and apparently lots of other subaru owners have experienced this problem. It appears that the check valve on the brake booster line freezes up. If I had been moving any faster I…
Structure · Jan 23, 2015 · 210,000 miles · PA
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 subaru legacy outback. The contact stated that the sub frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that corrosion had impaired the frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 210,000.
Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 21, 2014 · 127,200 miles · OR
2001 subaru outback limited. When cold weather arrives, very strong smell of gasoline in the passenger compartment. Must open windows to let it vent. Continues through cold weather year after year. *tr
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2001 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 2001 Subaru Outback, the most recent one (13E065000) for fuel system, gasoline. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Subaru Outback?
Based on 171 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are service brakes, hydraulic (32), engine and engine cooling (26), fuel system, gasoline (26).
Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2001 Subaru Outback?
Owners reported 16 crashes, 5 fires, 7 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.