2001 Subaru Outback problems
Owners have filed 207 complaints about the 2001 Subaru Outback with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 15.5% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 12.6%.
Complaints207
Crashes18
Fires6
Injuries7
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 15.5% · 32
Fuel system, gasoline 12.6% · 26
Engine and engine cooling 12.6% · 26
Power train 11.1% · 23
Suspension 9.7% · 20
Vehicle speed control 8.2% · 17
Structure 7.2% · 15
Tires 4.8% · 10
Severity
Of those complaints, 18 describe a crash, 6 describe a fire and 7 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 28 model years of the Subaru Outback in this data, 2001 sits 18th by complaint volume. 2019 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 11 in the last three years against 22 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 74,999 miles.
In owners' own words
My brakes do not work properly when cold, abs doesn't seem to engage; my rotors have warped on 4 different occassions and have been "turned" 3 times and replaced once. My vehicle is only 2 years old and has 37,000 miles. I have found several other people with the exact same vehicle and they have also experienced the same problems, especially the frequent warping of the rotors. Service brakes, hydraulic
While driving on highway, consumer experienced total brake failure, consumer was able to stop vehicle by depressing brake pedal all the way to the floor, slowly the vehicle came to a full stop, vehicle was taken into dealership and mechanic discovered there was a defective master cylinder. Service brakes, hydraulic
We had excessive brake problems and after repeated attempts to the dealer, my husband found there is a pin that the calipers slide on and it was locked up. He took it apart, lubed with "never seize" and problem solved. Unfortunately, after much $$$$ paid to dealers without any help. Service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…