The Used Car Index

2001 Subaru Legacy problems

NHTSA lists 77 complaints for the 2001 Subaru Legacy, 11 of them mention a crash and 2 mention a fire. 5 complaints mention an injury, with 5 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as SUBARU LEGACY.

At a glance

Complaints
77
With crash
11
With fire
2
With injury (complaints)
5
Injuries
5
Deaths
0
Recalls
7
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
172,564
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
155

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1722.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1114.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL911.7%
TIRES810.4%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC67.8%
SUSPENSION67.8%
VISIBILITY56.5%
AIR BAGS33.9%
ENGINE33.9%
STRUCTURE33.9%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEDELIVERY8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
AIR BAGSFRONTAL2
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHERDELIVERY2
SUSPENSIONFRONT2
TIRESSIDEWALL2
VISIBILITYSUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY2
AIR BAGSSIDE/WINDOW1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCOOLING SYSTEM1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

7 recalls.

04V128000

Date: 2004-03-16. Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

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 AN OPEN POSITION.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

03V153000

Date: 2003-04-22. Systems: SUSPENSION.

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, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. CERTAIN REAR SUSPENSI (excerpt)

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

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

02V282000

Date: 2002-10-30. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

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

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

01V034000

Date: 2001-02-07. Systems: SEATS.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

00V393000

Date: 2000-11-21. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

00V392000

Date: 2000-11-21. Systems: SEAT BELTS.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

00V391000

Date: 2000-11-21. Systems: STEERING.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

155 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM45
EQUIPMENT27
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING24
UNKNOWN OR OTHER16
POWER TRAIN15
ENGINE9
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC5

11025789

Date: 2025-11-20. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Subaru service article locator.

11025796

Date: 2025-11-20. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Subaru service article locator.

11024867

Date: 2025-10-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This bulletin provides information on the load carrying capacity reduced label when a port-installed or retailer-installed accessory exeeds 1.5 percent of the GVWR or 100 pounds, which ever is lower.

11024859

Date: 2025-10-28. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Subaru tech tips newsletter article locator.

11024863

Date: 2025-10-28. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Subaru tech tips newsletter article locator.

11024869

Date: 2025-10-28. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.

11024857

Date: 2025-10-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

This Bulletin provides details on a new formal testing, charging, and tracking procedure for all 12-volt batteries in new vehicle inventory.

11024858

Date: 2025-10-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

This Bulletin outlines a comprehensive update to the dark current/parasitic draw diagnosis & testing procedures.

11023524

Date: 2025-09-30. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

This bulletin addresses cases when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202 and / or 204 may occur preventing the process from completing successfully.

11023505

Date: 2025-09-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
LEGACY77

Same model, other years

All model years | All Subaru models

Other Subaru models, 2001

Sources

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