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2001 Subaru LegacyProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 77 owner complaints about the 2001 Subaru Legacy, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

2001 Subaru Legacy
50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Legacy median · #16 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints7718 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage51kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 13, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Subaru Legacy has problems

77 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Fuel system, gasoline170
Engine and engine cooling111
Vehicle speed control96
Tires81
Suspension60
Service brakes, hydraulic61
Visibility51
Air bags33
Engine31
10 other systems190

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

7 recalls

2001 Subaru Legacy recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: cables

Recall 04V-128 · Mar 16, 2004 · 127,580 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Suspension: rear

Recall 03V-153 · Apr 22, 2003 · 170,000 vehicles

Risk. IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 02V-282 · Oct 30, 2002 · 172,564 vehicles

Risk. THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seats

Recall 01V-034 · Feb 7, 2001 · 3,627 vehicles

Risk. IF AN INNER SLIDE RAIL LATCH MECHANISM BREAKS DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING, FORWARD AND REARWARD SEAT ADJUSTMENT WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Steering: linkages

Recall 00V-391 · Nov 21, 2000 · 1,977 vehicles

Risk. THIS CASTING FLAW COULD CAUSE GREASE LEAKAGE, FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE DUE TO LOSS OF GREASE, OR LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO TIE-ROD END SEPARATION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 00V-393 · Nov 21, 2000 · 1,456 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.

Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other Legacy year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Legacy median. How we score

'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2001 Subaru Legacy safety ratings

2001 Subaru Legacy 4-DR.W agon in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2001 Subaru Legacy side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Legacy owners report

Recent fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHEN STARTING CAR IN COLD WEATHER THERE IS A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR IN CABIN. SUBSEQUENT RESEARCH HAS INDICATED THAT OTHER 2001 LEGACY WAGONS HAVE BEEN RECALLED DUE TO EXACT SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS NOT RECALLED, WHICH IS CONFUSING GIVEN THAT THE EXACT SAME RISKS ARE ASSOCIATED. *TR
Complaint 10578925 · Apr 10, 2014
PURCHASED VEHICLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND DROVE IT BACK TO NORTHERN KENTUCKY. IT PRODUCED APPROXIMATELY 380 MILES ON ONE TANK OF FUEL. NOTE: IT WAS WELL INTO THE 50-60 F RANGE OUTSIDE WHILE DRIVING DURING THAT TIME. SUBSEQUENT FILL-UPS IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY (WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM…
Complaint 10557169 · Dec 24, 2013 · 48,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU LEGACY GT. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE OF THE CABIN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY IN FREEZING WEATHER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REMAINED THERE FOR SEVEN DAYS TO FURTHER…
Complaint 10386423 · Mar 4, 2011 · 100,000 miles

Own a 2001 Legacy?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.