Is the 2001 Subaru Outback a bad year?
171 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Outback years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2001 Subaru Outback are in line with other Outback years.
6th quietest of 20 Outback years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 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 83,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 32 (19%) | 68k–102k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 16 (9%) | 56k–108k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Suspension | 19 (11%) | 121k–182k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Body structure | 15 (9%) | 98k–182k miles · ahead | — |
| Brakes | 27 (16%) | 15k–74k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 23 (13%) | 30k–68k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 17 (10%) | 38k–66k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 9 (5%) | 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 83,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 171 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 6 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in May 2019.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2001 Subaru Outback: 4
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.
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 occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
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.
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 vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, 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: 45
Repair instructions Subaru sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 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
Systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off…
And Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak
Diagnostics to follow when addressing a Telematics-related DTC B2A16
Neighbouring years
2000 Outback: 206 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2002 Outback: 141 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 2001 Subaru Outback a bad year?
171 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Outback years. At 83,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Subaru Outback?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (32), engine (16), suspension (19), body structure (15), brakes (27).
How many recalls does the 2001 Subaru Outback have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 13E065000), Speed control (NHTSA 04V-128), Suspension (NHTSA 03V-153), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 02V-282). 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.