2001 Subaru Legacy: common problems and reliability

The 2001 Subaru Legacy has 81 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are fuel system and gasoline. Owners most often flag poor fuel economy — described as significantly worse than epa estimates and segment competitors, affecting all models. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2001 model year

81
Owner complaints
8
Recalls
12
Crash reports
2
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2001 Subaru Legacy vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

fuel system
19
gasoline
17
engine and engine cooling
11
vehicle speed control
10
tires
8

Recalls affecting the 2001 Legacy

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Campaign 13E065000

Airtex Products LP (Airtex) is recalling certain model E8598M, E8518M, E8600M, E8596M, and E8597M fuel pumps manufactured July 26, 2013, and July 29, 2013 and used as aftermarket replacements on Subaru Baja's, Outback's …

seats

Campaign 01V034000

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

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Campaign 00V393000

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.

seat belts:rear/other

Campaign 00V392000

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

What owners say across generations

Mixed sentiment with a strong generational divide. Long-term owner reports for older generations (pre-2010) frequently praise the 3.0R and 3.6R flat-six engines for smoothness and potential longevity, with some examples cited as reaching over 200,000 and even

  • Poor fuel economy — described as significantly worse than EPA estimates and segment competitors, affecting all models. Frequency: very frequent.
  • CVT transmission reliability concerns — early failures, especially in models from approximately 2014-2015; jerky behavior when cold; requires diligent fluid service. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Infotainment system problems — laggy, unresponsive touchscreen (particularly in models with large screens); system crashes; screen delamination in 2015-2019 models. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Engine issues (varies by generation) — head gasket failures on older models (pre-2010); oil pan leaks on newer turbo models; isolated catastrophic engine failures. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Excessive corrosion/rust — severe rust on rear wheel arches, strut towers, and sills on older models, especially in regions using road salt. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Legacy.

Typical used price

Used Legacy listings typically run $11,500–$22,749 across 2003 to 2025 model years.

Other Legacy model years

2022 Legacy2019 Legacy2017 Legacy2014 Legacy2012 Legacy2009 Legacy2008 Legacy2007 Legacy2006 Legacy2005 Legacy2004 Legacy2003 Legacy2002 Legacy1998 Legacy1997 Legacy1996 Legacy
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