Does the 2001 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2001 Subaru Outback, the most recent reported on March 16, 2004 (Vehicle speed control: cables). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Subaru Outback?

Owners have filed 171 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is fuel system, gasoline (26 complaints), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (25).

How many 2001 Subaru Outback complaints mention a crash or fire?

16 of 171 complaints report a crash and 5 a fire; 7 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2001 Subaru Outback recalls and problems

3 recalls and 171 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Subaru Outback.

recalls

171

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.

2001 Subaru Outback 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.

Most reported problems

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

Fuel system, gasoline26
Service brakes, hydraulic25
Power train23
Engine and engine cooling22
Suspension19
Vehicle speed control17
Structure15
Tires9
Fuel/propulsion system4
Steering4

What owners report

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

May 8, 2019 · Structure · 275,100 miles
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…

Jan 7, 2016 · Fuel/propulsion system · 90,000 miles
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.

Dec 23, 2015 · Unknown or other · crash reported · fire reported
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.

Dec 4, 2015 · Suspension · 157,000 miles
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…

Sep 4, 2015 · Structure · 113,000 miles
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…

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
2004	10	90	9	4

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

Questions

Does the 2001 Subaru Outback have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2001 Subaru Outback, the most recent reported on March 16, 2004 (Vehicle speed control: cables). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Subaru Outback?: Owners have filed 171 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is fuel system, gasoline (26 complaints), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (25).
How many 2001 Subaru Outback complaints mention a crash or fire?: 16 of 171 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 May 8, 2019.