Does the 2000 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2000 Subaru Outback, the most recent reported on April 22, 2003 (Suspension: rear). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Subaru Outback?

Owners have filed 207 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (42 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (35).

How many 2000 Subaru Outback complaints mention a crash or fire?

17 of 207 complaints report a crash and 5 a fire; 7 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2000 Subaru Outback recalls and problems

1 recall and 207 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2000 Subaru Outback.

recalls

207

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

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.

2000 Subaru Outback recalls

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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Power train42
Engine and engine cooling35
Tires30
Suspension24
Vehicle speed control14
Structure13
Service brakes, hydraulic11
Electrical system8
Seat belts8
Visibility6

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jan 10, 2018 · Unknown or other · 105,000 miles
REAR SUB FRAME ROTTED OUT IN MULTIPLE PLACES AND BROKE LOOSE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2003. THE CAR WAS NEVER REPAIRED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT A FEW YEARS AGO. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DOYLE SUBARU IN WEBSTER NY. THEY OFFERED TO COVER THE EXPENSE OF THE PART BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THEM $800.00 TO COVER…

Jan 6, 2018 · Fuel/propulsion system · 150,000 miles
THE 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS A NOXIOUS SMELL FROM FUEL IN THE CABIN ONLY IN COLD WEATHER,THAT YOU MUST RIDE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN UNTIL THIS DISSIPATES. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER TO ASK IF THEY WOULD HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND WHAT WOULD BE AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR? I, JUST ABOUT GOT THE QUESTION OUT OF MY…

Aug 3, 2016 · Exterior lighting · 210,000 miles
UNKNOWN COMPONENT PART/SYSTEM. DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. CHECKED FUSE AND BULB WHICH WAS STILL GOOD; REPLACED BULB ANYWAY AND IT STILL DIDN'T WORK. NEXT DAY THE OTHER HEADLIGHT ALSO WENT OUT. CHECKED THE SAME THINGS. HIGH BEAMS, FOG AND PARKING LIGHTS STILL WORKED. MY SON JIGGLED THE BULB SOCKET AND WIRES AND…

Jun 2, 2016 · Power train · 147,138 miles
I WAS ADVISED BY A MECHANIC ON 4/20/15 THAT THE REAR CRADLE IS VERY RUSTY, ENOUGH THAT I SHOULD AVOID CARRYING HEAVY LOADS. I JUST NOTICED ON THIS WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2003 FOR INADEQUATE RUSTPROOFING OF THAT PART; HOWEVER, WE NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF A RECALL. CAN THIS BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED NOW? THERE…

May 4, 2016 · Electrical system · 124,400 miles
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED ON A TOWN STREET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED BY THE ODOR OF GAS FUMES. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION BY EXPERIENCED SUBARU MECHANICS REVEALED A SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF THE A/C COMPRESSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, A HEADLIGHT BULB AND FINALLY, A DAMAGED FUEL LINE THAT WAS SPRAYING A MIST OF…

Outback model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	1	207	17	5
2001	3	171	16	5
2002	4	143	9	0
2003	14	93	7	1

Across all years, the 2019 Outback has the most complaints (1,036). All Subaru Outback years →

Questions

Does the 2000 Subaru Outback have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2000 Subaru Outback, the most recent reported on April 22, 2003 (Suspension: rear). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Subaru Outback?: Owners have filed 207 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (42 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (35).
How many 2000 Subaru Outback complaints mention a crash or fire?: 17 of 207 complaints report a crash and 5 a fire; 7 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received January 10, 2018.