WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR THE ENGINE STALLS OUT.. *TR
2001 Subaru Legacy
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Subaru Legacy do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 77.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Legacy years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
39 reports with mileage · 38 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
11 reportsTOOK MY 2001 BH5 GTB E-TUNE FOR SERVICE AT SUBARU KENYA. DEALER BLED THE OIL WITHOUT REPLACING IT(AS I FOUND OUT LATER). CRUISING AT 80KPH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR LOST ALL POWER, WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALER. DEALER SAID ENGINE HAD CEASED, SO THEY OVERHAULED IT. SAME THING HAPPENED AFTER 234KM. DEALER SAYS THEY DO NOT UNDER…
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TOOK MY 2001 BH5 GTB E-TUNE FOR SERVICE AT SUBARU KENYA. DEALER BLED THE OIL WITHOUT REPLACING IT(AS I FOUND OUT LATER). CRUISING AT 80KPH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR LOST ALL POWER, WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALER. DEALER SAID ENGINE HAD CEASED, SO THEY OVERHAULED IT. SAME THING HAPPENED AFTER 234KM. DEALER SAYS THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT PROBLEM WAS AND ARE UNABLE TO FIX IT, SO I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW ENGINE. FHI JAPAN SAYS MY INITIAL ENGINE WAS NOT BUILT FOR AFRICAN MARKET. SURELY, THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. I AM SO MAD AT SUBARU KENYA( THE MOST INEXPERIENCED SUBARU DEALERS IN THE WORLD) AND FHI JAPAN!! *TR
MY 2001 LEGACY LEAKED ANTIFREEZE...WAS RECALLED...THE "ADDITIVE" THEY REQUIRED TO BE ADDED WAS DONE...THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED...NOW, ABOUT 1 YR AND 10,000 MILES LATER, I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY ARE SAYING I HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME HEAD GASKET REPLACED!!! THIS DOES NOT…
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MY 2001 LEGACY LEAKED ANTIFREEZE...WAS RECALLED...THE "ADDITIVE" THEY REQUIRED TO BE ADDED WAS DONE...THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED...NOW, ABOUT 1 YR AND 10,000 MILES LATER, I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY ARE SAYING I HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME HEAD GASKET REPLACED!!! THIS DOES NOT SOUND RIGHT TO ME...DO I POSSIBLY HAVE A WARPED BLOCK OR HEAD??? I THINK ALL THE DEALER IS DOING IS JUST PUTTING A "BAND-AID" ON MY PROBLEM *NM
TSB NUMBERS 115899 & 115398 I HAVE A 2001 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. IT STARTED GIVING ME TROUBLE AND, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO ARE FACING THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHILE DRIVING. IT DOESN'T PICK-UP SPEED EVEN IF YOU GIVE IT GAS. DOESN'T CROSS 35 MPH FOR SOMETIME IRRESPECTIVE OF IF YOU G…
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TSB NUMBERS 115899 & 115398 I HAVE A 2001 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. IT STARTED GIVING ME TROUBLE AND, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO ARE FACING THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHILE DRIVING. IT DOESN'T PICK-UP SPEED EVEN IF YOU GIVE IT GAS. DOESN'T CROSS 35 MPH FOR SOMETIME IRRESPECTIVE OF IF YOU GIVE MORE GAS. BUT SUDDENLY PICKS UP THE SPEED. I ONCE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HE CHANGED THE OXYGEN SENSOR OR KNOCK SENSOR. IT WORKED ALRIGHT FOR A MONTH AFTER THAT. AGAIN IT STARTED DOING IT. I NEED HELP WITH THIS. I AM TOLD THAT THIS SITE HELPS ME IN FILING THIS COMPLAINT. *JB
WHNE THE CAR IS COLD, IT HESITATES AND STALLS WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN OR OTHER STOP. DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX. FAILS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS OPERATED COLD. *AK
VEHICLE'S HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. *MR THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE WINDSHIELD DID NOT DEFROST PROPERLY. THE FOUND THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS BAD. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE HEAD GASKET. *SC THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. *JB
CAR AT ISSUE IS A 2001 SUBARU LEGACY GT LIMITED. ON TWO OCCASIONS IN THE PAST MONTH, A STRONG RAW GAS SMELL FILLED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS BELOW 10 DEGREES. AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, CAR WAS LEFT AT DEALER WHO FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE CAR W…
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CAR AT ISSUE IS A 2001 SUBARU LEGACY GT LIMITED. ON TWO OCCASIONS IN THE PAST MONTH, A STRONG RAW GAS SMELL FILLED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS BELOW 10 DEGREES. AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, CAR WAS LEFT AT DEALER WHO FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE CAR WAS FINE FOR NEXT 5 DAYS (WEATHER WAS 10 TO 30 DEGREES). ON DAY 6, WEATHER DROPPED TO ABOUT 8 DEGREES AND GAS SMELL RETURNED. CAR WAS LEFT IN GARAGE AFTER DRIVING AND GARAGE FILLED WITH VERY STRONG GAS SMELL. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS CORRELATION BETWEEN EXTREME COLD (10 DEGREES OR LESS) AND THIS PROBLEM. WILL RETURN CAR TO DEALER FOR SECOND ATTEMPT AT REPAIR BUT SINCE WEATHER IS EXPECTED TO BE OVER 10 DEGREES FOR NEXT 2 WEEKS AM NOT SURE WILL BE ABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM. SEEMS LIKELY THAT THE PROBLEM IS A GAS LEAK AT COLD TEMPERATURES, WHICH MAY WELL BE A SAFETY HAZARD AND FIRE/EXPLOSION DANGER. *CB
MY SUBARU LEGACY, 2001, 25,000 MILES, CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE FRONT RIGHT PART UNDER THE HOOD SUDDENLY ON MY WAY HOME 2/5/03, I WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR AND UNABLE TO GET OUT TILL THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE, I WAS PANICKING, AS I WAS UNABLE TO BREATH. AT THAT POINT I THOUGHT I WOULD PASS OUT, OR DIE SOON, THE PEOPLE OUTSIDE COULD NOT …
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MY SUBARU LEGACY, 2001, 25,000 MILES, CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE FRONT RIGHT PART UNDER THE HOOD SUDDENLY ON MY WAY HOME 2/5/03, I WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR AND UNABLE TO GET OUT TILL THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE, I WAS PANICKING, AS I WAS UNABLE TO BREATH. AT THAT POINT I THOUGHT I WOULD PASS OUT, OR DIE SOON, THE PEOPLE OUTSIDE COULD NOT GET ME OUT. MY CAR WAS TOTALED, AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY. SUBARU HAS NOT RESPONDED, I AM WITHOUT A CAR. THIS HAS BEEN VERY STRESSFUL FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. WE TRUSTED THE NAME OF SUBARU AND WHAT IT STANDS FOR TILL NOW. AFTER OUR INSURANCE COMPANY SENT A FORENSIC MECHANIC TO INVESTIGATE, IT WAS DETERMINED NOT TO BE ARSON, AND TO BE THE FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER. WE ALWAYS TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS CAR SO THIS HAPPENING WAS QUITE A SHOCK TO US AND OUR OTHER FRIENDS THAT OWN SUBARU'S. WE ALL ARE NOT SO PATIENTLY WAITING TO HEAR FROM SUBARU. I WOULD LIKE A NEW CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *JB
REPEATED COLD ENGINE HESITATION TO THE POINT OF STALLING WHEN GAINING SPEED FROM A STOP. MANUFACTURER REPEATEDLY STATED THAT THERE IS NO FIX AND THE PROBLEM WAS A "CONDITION OF OPERATION"CHARACTERISTIC OF ALL 2001 AND 2002 ENGINES, THAT OWNER WOULD HAVE TO WARM THE ENGINE PRIOR TO USE AND BURN A HIGHER GRADE OF GASOLINE. ENGIN…
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REPEATED COLD ENGINE HESITATION TO THE POINT OF STALLING WHEN GAINING SPEED FROM A STOP. MANUFACTURER REPEATEDLY STATED THAT THERE IS NO FIX AND THE PROBLEM WAS A "CONDITION OF OPERATION"CHARACTERISTIC OF ALL 2001 AND 2002 ENGINES, THAT OWNER WOULD HAVE TO WARM THE ENGINE PRIOR TO USE AND BURN A HIGHER GRADE OF GASOLINE. ENGINE LIGHT ON AT TIME OF FIRST SERVICE WITH CODE P0133. REPLACED A/F SENSOR DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. CONDITION WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO ME AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. DEALER WARMS ENGINE PRIOR TO CUSTOMER TEST DRIVE. AFTER BEING REFUSED A REFUND, I TRADED IN THE CAR 11/14/01 AT OCONNER VW, AUGUSTA ME. INFORMING OWNER OF DEALERSHIP ABOUT PROBLEM.
VEHICLE WAS GOING 65MPH, AND ENGINE CEASED. NO WARNING BEFORE ALL POWER WAS LOST, TIMING BELT WAS NOT ORIGINALLY DIAGNOSED. DEALER STATED INTERIOR PART OF THE ENGINE CREATED THE PROBLEM. DEALER SPOKE TO REGIONAL OFFICE, AND ENTIRE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT MANUFACTURERS COST. SUBARU WAS AWARE OF A PROBLEM*AK CONSUMER STATED T…
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VEHICLE WAS GOING 65MPH, AND ENGINE CEASED. NO WARNING BEFORE ALL POWER WAS LOST, TIMING BELT WAS NOT ORIGINALLY DIAGNOSED. DEALER STATED INTERIOR PART OF THE ENGINE CREATED THE PROBLEM. DEALER SPOKE TO REGIONAL OFFICE, AND ENTIRE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT MANUFACTURERS COST. SUBARU WAS AWARE OF A PROBLEM*AK CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIMING BELT BECAUSE IT HAD BROKEN.*SLC
Official recalls
704V128000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Mar 16, 2004
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 & remedy
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.
03V153000 · Suspension:rear
Apr 22, 2003
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 & remedy
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.
02V282000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Oct 30, 2002
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 & remedy
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.
01V034000 · Seats
Feb 7, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUALLY-ADJUSTABLE (NON-POWERED) SEATS. CERTAIN INNER FRONT SLIDE RAIL LATCH MECHANISMS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED.
Consequence & remedy
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.
00V391000 · Steering:linkages
Nov 21, 2000
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 & remedy
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.
00V392000 · Seat Belts:rear/other
Nov 21, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INCORRECT BEIGE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS INSTALLED. THE BELT LENGTH IS TOO SHORT.
Consequence & remedy
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.
00V393000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Nov 21, 2000
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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