2000 Subaru Outback recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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.
What could happen: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 OUTBACK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Subaru dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 13E065000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-880-3056.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. 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 COMPONENT…
What could happen: 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. 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 OUTBACK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Subaru dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V153000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-782-2783.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
Summary: 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.
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.
Notes: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2000 Subaru Outback owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (43), Engine (38), Wheels / tires (36), Suspension (24), Vehicle Speed Control (14).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
01/10/2018 · Unknown Or Other
REAR SUB FRAME ROTTED OUT IN MULTIPLE PLACES AND BROKE LOOSE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2003. THE CAR WAS NEVER REPAIRED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT A FEW YEARS AGO. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DOYLE SUBARU IN WEBSTER NY. THEY OFFERED TO COVER THE EXPENSE OF THE PART BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THEM $800.00 TO COVER THE REPAIR LABOR! THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR F…
01/06/2018 · Fuel system
THE 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS A NOXIOUS SMELL FROM FUEL IN THE CABIN ONLY IN COLD WEATHER,THAT YOU MUST RIDE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN UNTIL THIS DISSIPATES. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER TO ASK IF THEY WOULD HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND WHAT WOULD BE AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR? I, JUST ABOUT GOT THE QUESTION OUT OF MY MOUTH,WHEN THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAI…
08/03/2016 · Lights
UNKNOWN COMPONENT PART/SYSTEM. DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. CHECKED FUSE AND BULB WHICH WAS STILL GOOD; REPLACED BULB ANYWAY AND IT STILL DIDN'T WORK. NEXT DAY THE OTHER HEADLIGHT ALSO WENT OUT. CHECKED THE SAME THINGS. HIGH BEAMS, FOG AND PARKING LIGHTS STILL WORKED. MY SON JIGGLED THE BULB SOCKET AND WIRES AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON BUT NOW THE DRI…
06/02/2016 · Suspension
I WAS ADVISED BY A MECHANIC ON 4/20/15 THAT THE REAR CRADLE IS VERY RUSTY, ENOUGH THAT I SHOULD AVOID CARRYING HEAVY LOADS. I JUST NOTICED ON THIS WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2003 FOR INADEQUATE RUSTPROOFING OF THAT PART; HOWEVER, WE NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF A RECALL. CAN THIS BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED NOW? THERE WAS NO INCIDENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS…
05/04/2016 · Electrical system
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED ON A TOWN STREET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED BY THE ODOR OF GAS FUMES. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION BY EXPERIENCED SUBARU MECHANICS REVEALED A SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF THE A/C COMPRESSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, A HEADLIGHT BULB AND FINALLY, A DAMAGED FUEL LINE THAT WAS SPRAYING A MIST OF GASOLINE OVER THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTM…
02/20/2016 · Suspension
THE REAR SUB-FRAME IS ROTTED AND ABOUT TO BREAK. WHILE DRIVING THE SUB-FRAME IS SHIFTING CAUSING LOUD BANGING. WHEN STARTING, STOPPING AND DRIVING THE LOUD BANGING IS HEARD FROM THE SHIFTING OF THE ROTTED SUB-FRAME.
10/23/2015 · Body / structure
DUE TO HEAVY CORROSION, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR SUBFRAME ON THIS VEHICLE. OBVIOUSLY THE 2003 RECALL ON THIS PART WAS INADEQUATE. I WOULD LIKE THE REAR SUBFRAME TO BE RECALLED AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE FIRST PLACE, RATHER THAN JUST UNDERCOATING THE PART AND HAVING IT ROT AWAY ANYWAY.
01/22/2015 · Engine
IN COLD WEATHER (USUALLY 25 F AND BELOW) THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL. WORSE THE COLDER IT GETS. I AM WORRIED FOR MY BABY'S HEALTH AND ALSO WORRIED I WAS INHALING THIS LEAKING FUEL THROUGHOUT MY PREGNANCY. IT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING AND IS UNHEALTHY. I REPORTED THIS TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY REBUILT THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF OTHER…