2001 Subaru Legacy: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2001 Subaru Legacy: 7 recalls, 77 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
7 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Steering Vehicle recall #00V391000 · 2000 · 1,977 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace all front bearing housings with a lot number of of15.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #00V392000 · 2000 · 368 vehicles
What's wrong: Incorrect beige rear center seat belt webbing was installed. The belt length is too short.
Why it matters: The seat occupant would not be properly restrained in the event of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace all beige colored rear center lap/shoulder belts with lot number 0171.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #00V393000 · 2000 · 1,456 vehicles
What's wrong: Possible fuel leakage of under-hood fuel hoses at low ambient temperatures (-40 degrees c) once the fuel hoses age and become less flexible.
Why it matters: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect for under-hood fuel hoses with lot numbers 0804 and 0806 and all fuel hoses with those numbers will be replaced.
Seats Vehicle recall #01V034000 · 2001 · 3,627 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain inner front slide rail latch mechanisms May have been improperly welded.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace one or both front seat inner slide rails. Owner notification began March 30, 2001.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #02V282000 · 2002 · 172,564 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission parking rod assembly. Owner notification January 8, 2003. An interim owner notification will be sent during November 2002.
Suspension Vehicle recall #03V153000 · 2003 · 170,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: If such breakage occurs while the vehicle is being operated, control of the vehicle could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will clean and rust-proof the rear suspension subframe. Owner notification began July 14, 2003.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #04V128000 · 2004 · 127,580 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
The fix: 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.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system Equipment recall #13E065000 · 2013 · 397 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Fuel system (17): the most common themes are leaks (7), fire / smoke (4).
- Engine & cooling (11): the most common themes are fire / smoke (3), stalls / loses power (3).
- Speed control / throttle (9): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
- Tires (8): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (8).
The 2001 Subaru Legacy has 77 owner complaints, ranking #21 of 36 Legacy model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 88). Complaints peaked in 2002 (13 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 62,540 miles. Neighboring years: 2000 (94 complaints, 3 recalls), 2002 (54 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2001 Subaru Legacy.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2001 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 2001 Subaru Legacy, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2001 Subaru Legacy problems?
Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are fuel system (17), engine & cooling (11), speed control / throttle (9).
What gas mileage does the 2001 Subaru Legacy get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2001 Subaru Legacy repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.