RecallRepo

2001 Subaru Legacy Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2001 Subaru Legacy has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 477,572 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. Last updated July 6, 2026.

Recall campaigns

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 04V128000 2004-03-16 127,580 affected
Defect

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 CONDITION OCCURS, THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AND WILL REMAIN IN…

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER TAB ON THE THROTTLE SHAFT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM COMING OUT OF ITS TRACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

SUSPENSION 03V153000 2003-04-22 170,000 affected
Defect

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,…

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

POWER TRAIN 02V282000 2002-10-30 172,564 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION JANUARY 8, 2003. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT DURING NOVEMBER 2002. 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…

SEATS 01V034000 2001-02-07 3,627 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUALLY-ADJUSTABLE (NON-POWERED) SEATS. CERTAIN INNER FRONT SLIDE RAIL LATCH MECHANISMS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED.

Consequence

IF AN INNER SLIDE RAIL LATCH MECHANISM BREAKS DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING, FORWARD AND REARWARD SEAT ADJUSTMENT WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SLIDE RAILS COULD BREAK, EXPOSING THE OCCUPANT TO A RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH FRONT SEAT INNER SLIDE RAILS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 30, 2001. 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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 00V393000 2000-11-21 1,456 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE OF UNDER-HOOD FUEL HOSES AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (-40 DEGREES C) ONCE THE FUEL HOSES AGE AND BECOME LESS FLEXIBLE.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR UNDER-HOOD FUEL HOSES WITH LOT NUMBERS 0804 AND 0806 AND ALL FUEL HOSES WITH THOSE NUMBERS WILL BE REPLACED.

STEERING 00V391000 2000-11-21 1,977 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A CASTING FLAW IN THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING HOUSING COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING IF THE CASTING FLAW SHOULD EXIST IN THE TIE-ROD ARM.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FRONT BEARING HOUSINGS WITH A LOT NUMBER OF OF15.

SEAT BELTS 00V392000 2000-11-21 368 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INCORRECT BEIGE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS INSTALLED. THE BELT LENGTH IS TOO SHORT.

Consequence

THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL BEIGE COLORED REAR CENTER LAP/SHOULDER BELTS WITH LOT NUMBER 0171.

Complaints by component

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
9
5crashes1injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
8
TIRES
6
1crashes1fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
4
ENGINE
3
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
3
1fires1injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
3
1crashes
Total complaints90

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Headed home from a vet appointment in mountain home. Was driving on the freeway at 80mph when the tire blew at the wendell exit. Checked the tire to find that the inside wall had failed and had a blowout. The tire was installed june 8th 2025 and had less than 1,000 miles on it. I have never in 26…”

TIRES · reported 2025-07-10

“The contact owns a 2001 subaru outback. The contact stated that while his son was driving at highway speeds, the vehicle would wobble without warning. After the contact test drove the vehicle and experienced the failure himself, he took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and discovered that…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2021-11-01

“Always, when the circulation fresh air button is pressed to allow outside air to enter the cabin, there is the noxious odor of gasoline. I replaced the engine because of a timing belt related problem at 160,000 miles and the problem of gas odor stopped for a few months but it is back, bad as ever.…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2020-09-09

“I was pulling out of the parking lot onto a main street and when I started to step on the gas the car didn't want to go so well and the rpms what are getting pretty high and the clutch was slipping the fluid was a little bit low so we added the recommended fluid the dextron 111.. We were able to…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2020-01-10

“Sudden acceleration causing an accident. The subaru was at rest in drive.”

ENGINE · reported 2019-03-10

“In colder weather I have fuel leaking from fuel lines under the hood which creates a strong gas smell inside the vehicle. I went online and found nhsta recall # 00v393000 . I am not sure if this is for my vehicle or not. Since this is a major safety issue, could it be repaired at at subaru dealer…”

ENGINE · reported 2018-11-12

“Gas fuel lines in engine compartment leaking in cold weather. Gas pooling on engine creating fire hazard. Same issue as other subaru. Strong fuel smell inside cabin and out. *tr”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2014-11-11

“Gas fuel lines in engine compartment leaking in cold weather. Gas pooling on engine creating fire hazard. Same issue as other subaru. Strong fuel smell inside cabin and out. *tr”

ENGINE · reported 2014-11-11
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 Subaru Legacy as of July 6, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.