2000 Subaru Legacy/Outback
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 87 of 301 complaints (29%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 205 in 1999 to 301 in 2000.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | vs. 2000 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–3,100 | 2,850–2,950 | 2,950 | 2,950–3,900 | 2,950–3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–24 | 21–22 | 21 | 20–21 | 20–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–21 / 24–29 | 18–20 / 24–27 | 19 / 25 | 18–19 / 25 | 17–19 / 24–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–444 | 404–423 | 423 | 423–444 | 423–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 241 | 205 | 301 | 248 | 197 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 26 | 31 | 25 | 27 | 14 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 4 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 20 | 30 | 10 | 12 | 13 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2000 Subaru Legacy/Outback have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2000 Subaru Legacy/Outback?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 87 of 301 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Subaru Legacy/Outback get?
EPA rates it 21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2000 Subaru Legacy/Outback?
EPA estimates $2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Station Wagons | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Station Wagons | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 55 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 56 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 15 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 19 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Steering | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 87 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 20 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 24 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 24 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 14 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 13E065000 · Dec 5, 2013
Defect: 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.
SUSPENSION:REAR · Campaign 03V153000 · Apr 24, 2003
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 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.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY · Campaign 00V091000 · Mar 27, 2000
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LEFT-SIDE STEERING KNUCKLE ARM WAS INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE LEFT SIDE TIE-ROD END CASTLE NUT AND INSTALL A NEW COTTER PIN.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CENTER SUPPORT BEARING · Campaign 99V249000 · Sep 28, 1999
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN L MODEL PASSENGER VEHICLES. ANTI-RUST COATING WAS INCORRECTLY APPLIED TO THE TRANSVERSE LINK MOUNTING SURFACE OF THE VEHICLE BODY. OVER TIME THE COATING SHRINKS, CAUSING A TORQUE DECREASE OF THE BOLT THAT SECURES THE TRANSVERSE LINK BRACKET TO THE VEHICLE BODY.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOOSENING OF THE BRACKET AND SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION OF THE TRANSVERSE LINK FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REMOVE THE ANTI-RUST COATING UNDER THE MOUNTING LOCATION OF THE LEFT TRANSVERVE LINK MOUNTING BRACKET BOLT AND RETORQUE THE MOUNTING BOLT TO THE REQUIRED TORQUE.