Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2001 Subaru Legacy recalls
Vehicle speed control: cables
NHTSA campaign 04V128000 · reported March 16, 2004 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · 127,580 vehicles potentially affected
- The 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.
- The risk
- If this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
- The 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.
Suspension: rear
NHTSA campaign 03V153000 · reported April 22, 2003 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · 170,000 vehicles potentially affected
- The 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 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.
- The risk
- If such breakage occurs while the vehicle is being operated, control of the vehicle could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The 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.
Power train: automatic transmission
NHTSA campaign 02V282000 · reported October 30, 2002 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · 172,564 vehicles potentially affected
- The 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.
- The risk
- The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The 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.
Seats
NHTSA campaign 01V034000 · reported February 7, 2001 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · 3,627 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manually-adjustable (non-powered) seats. Certain inner front slide rail latch mechanisms may have been improperly welded.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Steering: linkages
NHTSA campaign 00V391000 · reported November 21, 2000 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · 1,977 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace all front bearing housings with a lot number of of15.
Seat belts: rear/other
NHTSA campaign 00V392000 · reported November 21, 2000 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · 368 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Incorrect beige rear center seat belt webbing was installed. The belt length is too short.
- The risk
- The seat occupant would not be properly restrained in the event of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace all beige colored rear center lap/shoulder belts with lot number 0171.
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA campaign 00V393000 · reported November 21, 2000 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · 1,456 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect for under-hood fuel hoses with lot numbers 0804 and 0806 and all fuel hoses with those numbers will be replaced.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Jul 13, 2025 · Tires
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…
Dec 1, 2021 · 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…
Sep 14, 2020 · 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…
Mar 17, 2020 · 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…
Mar 12, 2019 · Engine · 186,010 miles · crash reported
SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE SUBARU WAS AT REST IN DRIVE.
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received July 13, 2025.