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2000 Subaru OutbackProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 207 owner complaints about the 2000 Subaru Outback, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2000 Subaru Outback
53
CarFlaw IndexSolid year13% below the Outback median · #18 of 29 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20729 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage58kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 10, 2018. Updated daily. Photo: OSX, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2000 Subaru Outback has problems

207 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
Power train422
Engine and engine cooling351
Tires306
Suspension240
Vehicle speed control144
Structure130
Service brakes, hydraulic114
Seat belts84
Electrical system80
14 other systems488

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

1 recall

2000 Subaru Outback 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

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 →

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.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

58kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 33 power train complaints. 88% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
6under 30k miles29under 100k miles4100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2000 vs. every other Outback 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 Outback median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Outback owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10872273 · Jun 2, 2016 · 147,138 miles
STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD BECAUSE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE FORWARD GEARS. EVIDENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH A KNOWN DEFECT AND EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *TR
Complaint 10611191 · Jul 17, 2014 · 143,000 miles
I WAS DRIVING ALONG, AROUND 50 MPH. I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, AND THERE WAS A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND SWERVED, AS IT WAS SNOWING... I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. THE REAR SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT AND HAD BROKEN, ALLOWING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TO BREAK FREE AND SMASH UP INTO THE FUEL TANK AND…
Complaint 10510682 · May 5, 2013 · 230,000 miles

Own a 2000 Outback?

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