The 2000 Subaru Outback has 2 safety recalls and 207 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (44 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints207filed by owners
Crashes · fires17 · 5reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths7 · 3reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
NHTSA recall 13E065000 · Nov 29, 2013 · 397 vehicles
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 tank is full.
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.
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.
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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train Automatic transmission; Clutch assembly
44
0
2
0
58,250 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Cooling system › Radiator assembly
38
0
2
0
73,000 mi
Tires Tread/belt; Sidewall
32
3
4
0
—
Suspension Rear; Front › Stabilizer bar
24
0
0
0
127,461 mi
Vehicle speed control Linkages; Cruise control
14
4
0
1
56,000 mi
Structure Frame and members; Frame and members › Underbody shields
13
0
0
0
130,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
12
4
0
2
87,000 mi
Seat belts Front › Retractor; Front › Buckle assembly
9
4
0
3
79,049 mi
Electrical system Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers; Wiring › Front underhood
8
0
0
0
117,200 mi
Visibility Windshield; Glass, side/rear
6
0
0
0
—
Air bags Frontal; Side/window
5
5
0
5
79,049 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
5
0
0
0
98,271 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Nov 12, 2017 · 105,000 milesUnknown or other 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 THE REPAIR LABOR! THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 8 WEEKS NOW AND I'M DISABLE AND ON SSD WITHOUT MUCH INCOME. I COULD HAVE DIED WHEN THE CAR BROKE LOOSE ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHILE I WAS GOING 55 MPH. I'M WITHOUT A LONER CAR AND CAN'T MAKE MY MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. THE CAR HAD TO BE FLAT BED TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT CAN'T BE DRIVEN THE WAY IT IS. MY ATTORNEY TRIED TO CALL THE DEALER BUT…
Mar 9, 2017 · 150,000 milesFuel/propulsion system 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 MOUTH,WHEN THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID IT'LL COST AROUND $200 MAYBE A LITTLE MORE TO REPLACE TWO FUEL LINES AND FITTINGS(SCREW CLAMPS) ON THE TOP RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. I ASKED IF SOMETHING THIS SERIOUS WAS EVER COVERED BY A RECALL AND HE SAID NO, BUT I SHOULD CHECK WITH SUBARU OF NORTH AMERICA TO MAKE SURE,BEING THE CAR IS A 2000 HIS COMPUTER MAY NOT HAVE IT, FOR THAT FAR…
Jul 28, 2016 · 210,000 milesExterior lighting 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 THE LIGHTS CAME ON BUT NOW THE DRIVER HIGH BEAM WENT OUT. HIGH BEAM BULB AND FUSE WERE BOTH OKAY. THE LOW BEAMS ALSO NOW APPEARED TO BE YELLOW. HAD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT A FEW DAYS LATER (I ALWAYS DRIVE WITH MY FOG LIGHTS ON UNLESS THE HIGH BEAMS ARE USED) AND IT SEEMED LIKE I COULD NOT SEE VIRTUALLY ANYTHING AHEAD OF ME; THE LOW BEAMS WERE EXTREMELY DIM AND UNSAFE TO USE. WAS…
Apr 20, 2015 · 147,138 milesPower train 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 WAS NO INCIDENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM.
Nov 27, 2015 · 124,400 milesElectrical system 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 GASOLINE OVER THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE MECHANICS HAD NEVER SEEN A SITUATION LIKE THIS BEFORE, AND HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR HOW THESE COMPONENTS COULD HAVE FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. THE FUEL LINE AND BULB WERE REPLACED.
Feb 1, 2016 · 240,000 milesSuspension THE REAR SUB-FRAME IS ROTTED AND ABOUT TO BREAK. WHILE DRIVING THE SUB-FRAME IS SHIFTING CAUSING LOUD BANGING. WHEN STARTING, STOPPING AND DRIVING THE LOUD BANGING IS HEARD FROM THE SHIFTING OF THE ROTTED SUB-FRAME.
Apr 22, 2013 · 154,000 milesStructure › Body DUE TO HEAVY CORROSION, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR SUBFRAME ON THIS VEHICLE. OBVIOUSLY THE 2003 RECALL ON THIS PART WAS INADEQUATE. I WOULD LIKE THE REAR SUBFRAME TO BE RECALLED AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE FIRST PLACE, RATHER THAN JUST UNDERCOATING THE PART AND HAVING IT ROT AWAY ANYWAY.
Nov 25, 2013 · 120,000 milesFuel/propulsion system IN COLD WEATHER (USUALLY 25 F AND BELOW) THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL. WORSE THE COLDER IT GETS. I AM WORRIED FOR MY BABY'S HEALTH AND ALSO WORRIED I WAS INHALING THIS LEAKING FUEL THROUGHOUT MY PREGNANCY. IT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING AND IS UNHEALTHY. I REPORTED THIS TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY REBUILT THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF OTHER ISSUES. THEY SAID THIS REBUILDING WOULD FIX THE FUEL LEAK/SMELL ALSO. IT LESSENED IT, BUT IT IS STILL THERE EVERY TIME IT IS COLD OUT. IT DISSIPATES AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A WHILE. I HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE AND THERE REALLY SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.