2001 SUBARU LEGACY Recalls, Complaints & Safety

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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 and Legacy's. 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.

Remedy: Airtex will notify owners, and will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Recall is expected to begin on January 2, 2014. Customers may contact Airtex at 1-800-880-3056. The recall is expected to begin during January 2014. This recall is being conducted by Airtex, not by Subaru.

397 vehicles affected

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

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 AN OPEN POSITION.

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.

127,580 vehicles affected

SUSPENSION:REAR

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, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 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.

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.

170,000 vehicles affected

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

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 TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

172,564 vehicles affected

SEATS

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

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.

3,627 vehicles affected

STEERING:LINKAGES

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.

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

1,977 vehicles affected

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

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

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

368 vehicles affected

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

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.

1,456 vehicles affected

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 years of being around vehicles had a brand new tire fail in less than 1,000 miles. Tire was a good year reliant all season 195/65/R15. That tire blowout could have killed me and my family. I stopped at the Walmart that I bought the tire from with the receipt and was told "oh that sucks. We can replace it for you if you want to buy a new one a full price." How can a company sell a tire from a brand like good year that isn't even covered for a 1,000 miles? That's absolutely mind blowing. Had anyone gotten injured from the accident I would filling charges against Walmart for selling me a faulty tire

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 the rear control arm had rotted out due to severe corrosion. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle had been placed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V153000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and confirmed the prior recall on the vehicle; however, they could not offer any further assistance. The contact also took the vehicle to the dealer where they informed him that the entire subframe had rotted out due to corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in their possession. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

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. WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN? YEARS AND YEARS

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 DRIVE ABOUT 5 MILES ON THE FREEWAY ABOUT 60 MILES AN HOUR BACK TO OUR HOUSE THE NEXT MORNING WE GOT UP TO LEAVE THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE FORWARD THE CLUTCH SLIPPING REALLY BAD AND ALSO IS DOING THE SAME IN REVERSE.. I HAVE OWNED BY SUBARUS AND I WAS ALSO THE SALES AND FINANCE MANAGER FOR NADER SUBARU IN EUREKA CALIFORNIA IN 2005 TO 2010

SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE SUBARU WAS AT REST IN DRIVE.

Crash

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 NEAR ME ?

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V153000 (SUSPENSION). HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE SUB FRAME WAS FOUND CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,131.

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

COLD WEATHER BELOW 32 DEGREES NO BRAKE PEDAL ON COLD START- DIFFICULT TO STOP CAR MOVING UNDER 5MPH. AFTER WARM UP FOR 5-10 MINUTES- DEPENDING ON HOW COLD THE TEMP. PEDAL COMES BACK AND BRAKES SEEM TO OPERATE NORMALLY. *TR

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 10-30 F) PRODUCED 160-225 MILES IN-TOWN. I EXPERIENCED A VERY STRONG, RAW FUEL ODOR IN THE PASSENGER CABIN. IT WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND THEY FOUND "NOTHING WRONG." THIS OF COURSE, DOES NOT MEAN THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THE FUEL LINES WERE CHECKED AND TIGHTENED EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NEITHER LOOSE NOR WORN. AFTER READING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FROM OTHER OWNERS, IT SEEMS THAT SUBARU OWES ME AND MANY OTHERS A RECALL. TODAY IS ABOUT 14 F OUTSIDE AND I DROVE THE SUBARU 16 MILES. THE FUMES WERE SO UNBEARABLE I HAD TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR THEM TO SUBSIDE. THIS SEEMS LIKE NOT ONLY AN EMISSIONS VIOLATION, BUT ALSO A FIRE AND HEALTH HAZARD. *TR

FAILED FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *TR

THIS CAR WAS "INSPECTED" ON JULY 25, 2011 AT AFFORDABLE AUTO GLASS, 806 ELM STREET, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA (MASSACHUSETTS INSPECTION STATION PB 024377). UPON PURCHASING THIS CAR IN OCTOBER, 2011, I ATTEMPTED TO GET A RI INSPECTION STICKER FOR IT WHEN REGISTERING IT IN RI. IT FAILED ON SEVERAL COUNTS (BALD TIRES, BAD REAR BRAKES, 2 BAD FRONT AXLES). I WOULD LIKE THIS STATION INVESTIGATED TO FIND OUT HOW THIS CAR COULD HAVE PASSED A MASS INSPECTION ONLY 3 MONTHS BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. IN ADDITION TO THE FAILED ITEMS, ONE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER WAS FROZEN AND THE BRACKET HOLDING THE OTHER FRONT BRAKE CALIPER WAS BROKEN.

WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR THE ENGINE STALLS OUT.. *TR

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 INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V393000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 03/29/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REPLACED THE HOSES UNDER RECALL 00V393000, ALTHOUGH HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE WINTER TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECTIFIED. UPDATED 08/19/11

TOOK MY 2001 BH5 GTB E-TUNE FOR SERVICE AT SUBARU KENYA. DEALER BLED THE OIL WITHOUT REPLACING IT(AS I FOUND OUT LATER). CRUISING AT 80KPH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR LOST ALL POWER, WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALER. DEALER SAID ENGINE HAD CEASED, SO THEY OVERHAULED IT. SAME THING HAPPENED AFTER 234KM. DEALER SAYS THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT PROBLEM WAS AND ARE UNABLE TO FIX IT, SO I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW ENGINE. FHI JAPAN SAYS MY INITIAL ENGINE WAS NOT BUILT FOR AFRICAN MARKET. SURELY, THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. I AM SO MAD AT SUBARU KENYA( THE MOST INEXPERIENCED SUBARU DEALERS IN THE WORLD) AND FHI JAPAN!! *TR

DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS IN THE 20'S OR BELOW, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING AND WHEN I TURN ON THE HEATER FAN. THE SMELL REMAINS IN MY GARAGE AFTER I STOP THE CAR. MY SON, WHO IS A MECHANIC TIGHTENED THE FUEL LINES WHICH SEEMED TO HELP A BIT BUT THIS PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED EVERY WINTER. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2001 BUT SUBARU MAINTAINS THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VIN NUMBER AND SAYS THAT I NEED TO BRING THE CAR IN AND PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS DETAILING EXACTLY THE SYMPTOMS OF MY PROBLEM ON THE WEBSITE, ARFE WHICH LEADS ME TO THINK THAT THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY A BROADER RECALL BY SUBARU.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL SMELL AND WHEN SHE WOULD TURN THE HEATING SYSTEM ON, THE SMELL BECAME UNBEARABLE, FORCING THE CONTACT TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN. THE FAILURE BEGAN OCTOBER 2010. NEITHER THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000. UPDATED 09/28/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS SMELL ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 30 DEGREES. UPDATED 10/05/11

RAW GAS LEAK IN COLD WEATHER HAS BEEN A PERSISTENT PROBLEM, OVERWHELMING ODOR IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND AFTER PARKING IN BASEMENT GARAGE. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO DEALERS ATTENTION AT FIRST SERVICE WHEN CAR WAS NEW AND DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS STILL A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE FOR WHICH THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU LEGACY. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT COULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE DUE TO THE FUEL LINES SHRINKING IN COLD WEATHER. AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SMELL WAS MOST PROMINENT DURING THE DAY. ALTHOUGH THE SMELL WOULD SOMETIMES OCCUR WHEN THE HEAT WAS ON AND IT INTENSIFIED WHEN THE FAN WAS TURNED ON. THE PROBLEM BEGAN AT THE END OF NOVEMBER. THE SMELL WAS MOST PRONOUNCED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED INTO THE TWENTIES. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE LOOKED FOR EVIDENCE OF A GAS LEAK, BUT WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE AS DESIGN/DEFECT IN MATERIALS. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON HER VEHICLE AND SUBARU DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED EVOQ 01/31/11. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN UPDATED 12/06/2011 *LN

BLOW OUT WITH COMPLETE DETACHMENT OF TIRE TREAD FROM WHEEL AT 50 MPH; CAR CRASHED INTO STONE WALL; AIR BAGS DEPLOYED; FIRE IN FORWARD PART OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT PUT OUT BY FIRE COMPANY; FIRE COMPANY COMMENT THAT LOOKED LIKE TIRE FAILURE; TIRES HAD ONLY ~2000 MILES ON THEM; NO INJURIES; ONLY ONE CAR INVOLVED; POLICE FILED A REPORT; CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS; I HAVE THE TIRE TREAD WHICH DETACHED FROM THE WHEEL AND IS A COMPLETE, SINGLE CIRCULAR PIECE; ABOUT 1 INCH OF TIRE RUBBER REMAINED ATTACHED TO EACH RIM OF THE WHEEL. *TR

Crash Fire

ON A COLD START, WITH THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AT OR BELOW FREEZING (32F), THE 3RD TIME I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WILL NOT GO DOWN. THERE IS A HARD STOP AND THE BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE, IF IN MOTION, WILL NOT STOP. REPEATED PUMPING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL EVENTUALLY FREES UP THE BRAKE PEDAL AND BRAKING FUNCTION IS RESTORED. NOTICE A DISTINCT REVVING OF THE ENGINE WHEN THE PROBLEM IS REMEDIED. THIS IS A REPEATABLE PROBLEM. *TR

WE STARTED TO EXPERIENCE GASOLINE FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR. OUR DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE NO DAMAGE OF WHICH WE ARE AWARE HAS OCCURRED TO THE CAR, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT A HIGH RISK OF FIRE WAS PRESENT (OR WOULD BECOME PRESENT) WITHOUT REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART (WHICH TYPICALLY WOULD LAST THE "LIFETIME" OF THE CAR). COST OF REPAIR: $355.15. *TR

1. DRIVING CAR OVER SPEED BUMP AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT 2. FAILURE: FRONT SWAY BAR BROKE AT BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF CAR AT THE FRAME BUSHINGS BETWEEN WHEEL AND BODY FRAME. 3. NEW SWAY BAR, LINKERS AND BUSHINGS ARE REQUIRED - REPAIR HAS YET TO BE DONE AS IT BROKE YESTERDAY. *TR

2001 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON EMITS GAS SMELL INTO CABIN ON START UP IN COLD WEATHER MONTHS. ALTHOUGH NUMEROUS OWNERS COMPLAIN WITH REGARD TO THIS ISSUE VIA INTERNET, SUBARU HAS YET TO ISSUE A TSB. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT SUBARU SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU LEGACY. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLING WITH THE FAN BLOWER/VENT ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT SMELLS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V393000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 54,000.

ON A 2001 SUBARU LEGACY, THE SEALED FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUBS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 68,000 MILES. SEALED WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER. I HAVE READ THAT OTHERS HAVE ALSO RUN IN PROBLEMS WITH SEALED WHEEL BEARINGS ON OTHER YEARS AND MODELS OF SUBARU. I SUSPECT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

I HAVE A SUBARU LEGACY GT. EVERY TIME THE TEMPERATE GETS TO ABOUT 20 DEGREES OR COLDER, THE ENGINE EMITS A STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL INTO THE CABIN. THE CAR HAS DONE SO ALMOST CONSTANTLY SINCE PURCHASE, HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE FOR THE PROBLEM (ATTRIBUTED TO A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LINES) AND HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A PRIOR NHTSA COMPLAINT. CARS MANUFACTURER AROUND THE DATE OF MINE HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. TODAY WAS THE FIRST DAY BELOW 20 DEGREES IN SEVERAL MONTHS AND THE FUEL SMELL REAPPEARED. CAR NOW NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AGAIN FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SIMPLY CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER AS IT IS A HEALTH HAZARD TO BREATHE THESE FUMES, AS WELL AS A FIRE DANGER. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET REVEALS A NUMBER OF OTHER OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINT. *TR

WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AT 59,000 MILES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUAL CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH IN HIGH TEMPERATURE CLIMATE. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE FAILURES, ONE OF WHICH THE CONTACT WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A CRASH. AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE, TWO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. SUBARU SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT REPLACE A THIRD PART TO AVOID ANOTHER FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 42,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

OUR 2001 SUBARU LEGACY WAS HAVING THE SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR LATELY WHEN WE FIRST STARTED IT AND WHEN WE WOULD STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. I CHECKED THE RECALL NOTICES ON THE GOV'T SITE AND FOUND THE PROBLEM LISTED , COMPLETE WITH A ENGINE AREA DIAGRAM SHOWING WHERE THE POSSIBLE GASOLINE LINE LEAK COULD BE. I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SURE ENOUGH THERE IT WAS. THE FUNNY THING WAS THAT OUR VIN # WAS NOT IN THE RANGE THEY SAID WAS EFFECTED. I THINK SUBARU AND THE GOV'T SHOULD TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE VEHICLES EFFECTED. I BELIEVE THERE ARE MORE THEN YOU ORIGINALLY THOUGHT. I WAS ABLE TO TIGHTEN THE HOSES CLAMPS AND SO FAR IT LOOKS LIKE IT ISN'T LEAKING ANYMORE. *JB

2001 SUBARU LEGACY BOTH FRONT WHEELS ARE RUSTED AND THE COMPONETS BEHIND THEM. *KB *JB

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN BELOW ZERO OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES, WE ARE EXPERIENCING A FUEL LEAK IN OUR VEHICLE. A CALL TO OUR DEALERSHIP INDICATES THEY ARE FIELDING NUMEROUS CALLS OF THIS TYPE TODAY. OUR FIRST EXPERIENCE OF THE PROBLEM WAS DECEMBER 24, 2004. *NM

MY 2001 LEGACY LEAKED ANTIFREEZE...WAS RECALLED...THE "ADDITIVE" THEY REQUIRED TO BE ADDED WAS DONE...THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED...NOW, ABOUT 1 YR AND 10,000 MILES LATER, I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY ARE SAYING I HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME HEAD GASKET REPLACED!!! THIS DOES NOT SOUND RIGHT TO ME...DO I POSSIBLY HAVE A WARPED BLOCK OR HEAD??? I THINK ALL THE DEALER IS DOING IS JUST PUTTING A "BAND-AID" ON MY PROBLEM *NM

TSB NUMBERS 115899 & 115398 I HAVE A 2001 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. IT STARTED GIVING ME TROUBLE AND, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO ARE FACING THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHILE DRIVING. IT DOESN'T PICK-UP SPEED EVEN IF YOU GIVE IT GAS. DOESN'T CROSS 35 MPH FOR SOMETIME IRRESPECTIVE OF IF YOU GIVE MORE GAS. BUT SUDDENLY PICKS UP THE SPEED. I ONCE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HE CHANGED THE OXYGEN SENSOR OR KNOCK SENSOR. IT WORKED ALRIGHT FOR A MONTH AFTER THAT. AGAIN IT STARTED DOING IT. I NEED HELP WITH THIS. I AM TOLD THAT THIS SITE HELPS ME IN FILING THIS COMPLAINT. *JB

REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE950 205/55R16 91 H BLEW OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. MILEAGE ON TIRE WAS 25000. NO CRASH OR INJURY. MUST REPLACE TIRE PREMATURELY SINCE TREAD WEAR WAS GOOD.

EXCESSIVE BRAKE REPAIRS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY BRAKES EVERY 30,000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR OR TRUCK THAT HAS NEEDED TO HAVE ALL THE COMPONENTS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM REPLACED WITH SUCH FREQUENCY. WHILE AT THE DEALER ANOTHER OWNER WAS COMPLAINING TO SERVICE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE

WHNE THE CAR IS COLD, IT HESITATES AND STALLS WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN OR OTHER STOP. DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX. FAILS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS OPERATED COLD. *AK

INCONSISTANTLY, BUT FREQUENTLY MY 2001 SUBARU LEGACY 2.5L WAGON SURGES AND/OR HESITATES. THE RESULT IS THAT I HAVE LITTLE RELIABILITY FOR ACCELERATION, ETC. WHEN DRIVING. THIS HAS RESULTED A NEAR COLLSIONS WHEN THE CAR HESITATED IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT--ESPECIALLY WHEN MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN ARE IN THE CAR. MY CAR HAS BEEN EXAMINED BY MY MECHANIC (WHO SPECALIZES IN SUBARUS AND OTHER JAPANESE CARS) AND DESPITE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING AND SEVERAL DAYS IN THE SHOP, NO PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED. MY MECHANIC HAS CONSULTED SUBARU AND THEY HAVE PROVIDED NO USEFUL ADVISE EITHER.*AK

VEHICLE'S HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. *MR THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE WINDSHIELD DID NOT DEFROST PROPERLY. THE FOUND THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS BAD. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE HEAD GASKET. *SC THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. *JB

COMPLAINT REGARDING SAFETY RECALL PROBLEM RESULTING IN TWO ACCIDENTS. *MR *SC *JB

Crash 1 injured

ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN 35,000 MILES DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH DIFFERENT MODEL TIRES, BUT FAILURE RECURRED. *AK