RoadVitals

2000 Subaru Legacy

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
94
Latest Aug 22, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Nov 29, 2013
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
10
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 94 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Subaru Legacy, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, engine and transmission categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 93 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
13E065000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Nov 29, 2013
397 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Airtex Products, LPView on NHTSA.gov
03V153000

SUSPENSION:REAR

Apr 22, 2003
170,000 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.Manufacturer number WWM-96View on NHTSA.gov
00V091000

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Mar 24, 2000
129 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LEFT-SIDE STEERING KNUCKLE ARM WAS INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE LEFT SIDE TIE-ROD END CASTLE NUT AND INSTALL A NEW COTTER PIN.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 94
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Aug 22, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A STATE INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SHOWED SEVERE RUST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED TWICE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION) BY PATRIOT SUBARU OF SACO (LOCATED AT 769 PORTLAND RD, SACO, ME 04072, (207) 284-7900). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE TWO SUB SECTIONS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,159. *BF CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RECALLS THAT WERE PERFORMED WERE NOT DONE PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH UNDERCOATING ON THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. *DL

NHTSA ID
11245872
Incident
Jun 25, 2019
Mileage
182,159 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 8, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURE, THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

NHTSA ID
10950247
Incident
Dec 12, 2016
Mileage
156,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 9, 2016

STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN STARTING IN COLD WEATHER.

NHTSA ID
10854533
Incident
Apr 9, 2016
Mileage
286,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 22, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10837475
Incident
Feb 19, 2016
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 17, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A CONTINENTAL EXTREME CONTACT TIRE, SIZE: 205/55R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE SUSTAINED A BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT ALSO DISCOVERED A BLISTER ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REFERENCE TO THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS 155. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,904.

NHTSA ID
10572770
Incident
Mar 15, 2014
Mileage
135,904 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 18, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported

CAR SLID ON BLACK ICE OFF THE ROAD, DOWN A VERY STEEP EMBANKMENT, INTO THE SIDE OF A BUILDING, AND TOTALED THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10556556
Incident
Dec 15, 2013
Mileage
90,130 mi
Body & structureElectricalVisibility
Filed Dec 10, 2013
Fire reported1 injury reported

DRIVING TO WORK CAR RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MIN. THE WINDOW CONTROL SWITCH INSIDE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SMOKED AND QUICKLY CAUGHT FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND TURNED OFF THE CARD. I OPENED THE DOOR AND STEPPED OUT. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS THE PANEL ON THE CAR DOOR ALSO CAUGHT FIRE AND STARTING MELTING. I HAD BEACH TOWEL IN THE BACK OF THE CAR, AND TRIED TO SMOTHER THE FIRE WITH THE TOWEL, BUT QUICKLY DECIDED THE FIRE WAS TOO LARGE, GROWING TOO QUICKLY AND WAS ACTUALLY INSIDE THE DOOR. I GAVE UP ON THE TOWEL, AND IN LAST DITCH EFFORT TO THE SAVE THE CAR I GRABBED, AND TORE OFF THE PLASTIC DOOR PANEL AND THREW IT TO GROUND. SOME OF THE MELTED PLASTIC FROM THE DOOR PANEL DID GET ON MY HANDS, AND I RECEIVED SEVERAL BURNS TO MY FINGERS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. I WAS THEN ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE REMAINING FIRE. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR APPEARS TO BE LIMITED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10555457
Incident
Dec 9, 2013
Mileage
225,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 21, 2013

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A VERY POWERFUL FUEL SMELL EMITTING FROM THE AREAS OF THE ENGINE. WHEN I POP THE HOOD THE SMELL IS THE STRONGEST. THE SMELL IS OF RAW GASOLINE (NOT EXHAUST OR ANYTHING OF THAT SORT) AND PERMEATES INTO THE CABIN AND ALL AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR EMERGES ONLY ON COLD DAYS, SPECIFICALLY TEMPERATURES THAT DROP BELOW 39 F. THE ODOR GROWS MORE POTENT AS THE CAR RUNS AND IF I ACTIVATE THE HEAT BLOWERS YOU AND SMELL IT EVEN MORE. THE ODOR EVEN LAST LONG AFTER THE CAR IS SHUT OFF, EXISTING AROUND THE ENGINE FOR HOURS AFTER SHUT DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10553210
Incident
Nov 21, 2013
Mileage
190,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SubaruNet Announcement

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This annocement is to inform dealers to the Gen 3.1 Head Unit OTA will be available via Wi-Fi. The update will take place in multiple batches with the first beginneing November 15th and the last being Decemeber 3rd. This update is for approximatelt 714,000 VINs.

15-130-08R

This bulletin details an important regulation issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which impacts the way some vehicles with accessories are sold. This regulation applies to any automobile retailer installing accessories on a vehicle prior to its first sale.

01-167-08R

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

15-298-22R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Service Information Bulletin announces the preferred practices to be used when handling vehicles equipped with Gen2 Telematics which are enrolled in the Subaru STARLINK® Security Plus Service featuring Stolen Vehicle Recovery Plus with Immobilizer.

01-167-08R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

07-178-21R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Service Information bulletin is being released as guidance for proper testing and charging of vehicle batteries.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru Legacy by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025600—
2024160038.3
2023102059.3
2022322054.1
2021313048.6
20201216048.8
20191233049.3
20181163056.3
20171182155.3
20161463155.7
20151593157.0
20145310053.0
20136612051.4
20129016161.8
201116716051.4
201015018052.7
20096513051.4
2008659048.2
2007339053.5
2006877050.0
20051839259.4
20044911260.9
20036015255.3
2002545052.7
2001778055.1
2000Viewing944051.2
1999943054.8
19981145054.8
19971396159.3
19961234366.3
19951812362.9
1994600041.6
1993771044.8
1992552050.2
1991783152.3
1990814258.0
1989101—
1988101—
1987101—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.