Is the 2000 Subaru Outback a bad year?
206 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 42, 3.5× a quiet Outback year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 36k–72k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2000 Outback owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 58,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 42 (20%) | 36k–72k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 27 (13%) | 58k–101k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Suspension | 24 (12%) | 112k–182k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Fuel system | 12 (6%) | 70k–116k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Tires | 30 (15%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 14 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 13 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 12 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine and cooling | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 58,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 206 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 6 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jan 2018.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
2000 Subaru outback, transmission slips until warmed up. Started at 60,000 miles and getting worse. Web research indicates a common failure of piston seals and a known problem as Subaru has redesigned.
The automatic transmission has delayed engagement when changing from park to drive.
Passenger side front CV joint boot tore for no apparent reason, 39,744 miles.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 58,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2000 Subaru Outback: 2
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. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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. If such breakage occurs while the vehicle is being operated, control of the vehicle could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Subaru: 29
Repair instructions Subaru sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2000 Subaru Outback. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines
Diagnostics to follow when addressing a Telematics-related DTC B2A16
Retailers to install the latest infotainment system software for Denso CP 1.5
Diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut
Neighbouring years
2001 Outback: 171 complaints, keep it.
Every Subaru Outback year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Outback years side by side
Other Subaru models: Subaru Ascent · Subaru Crosstrek · Subaru Forester · Subaru Impreza · Subaru Legacy · Subaru WRX · Subaru XV Crosstrek. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2000 Subaru Outback a bad year?
206 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 42, 3.5× a quiet Outback year. At 58,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 36k–72k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Subaru Outback?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (42), engine (27), suspension (24), fuel system (12), tires (30). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 36k–72k miles.
How many recalls does the 2000 Subaru Outback have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 13E065000), Suspension (NHTSA 03V-153). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.