Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Oct 15, 1999
What this page shows
Our database holds 94 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Subaru Legacy. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 94 · page 1 of 4
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
Suspension
Filed Jul 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 181,000. *TR
NHTSA ID
10522568
Incident
Jun 13, 2013
Mileage
181,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Feb 1, 2013
REAR SUBFRAME RUSTED AND BROKEN A PART - DEALER DEEMED CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10496080
Incident
Feb 1, 2013
Mileage
144,889 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V153000 (SUSPENSION:REAR) HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT PREVENT THE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE SUB FRAME DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 72,204.
NHTSA ID
10492162
Incident
Jan 7, 2013
Mileage
72,204 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 21, 2012
Fire reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY GT AWD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
NHTSA ID
10485415
Incident
Nov 19, 2012
Mileage
154,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 19, 2012
I HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE FREEWAY. PURCHASED REPLACEMENT TIRE AND DROVE 313 MILES ON THIS BRAND NEW TIRE AND IT DEVELOPED A BUBBLE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ID
10466674
Incident
Jun 14, 2012
Mileage
57,835 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 12, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2000 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE RADIO STOPPED FUNCTIONING ON ITS OWN AND THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE CHANGING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED. THE GAUGES THEN STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE CONTACT WAS THEN UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP OR DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 111,000.
NHTSA ID
10465395
Incident
Jul 11, 2012
Mileage
111,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 30, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE WARNING LAMPS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR SPORADICALLY AND ONCE IT DID, THE VEHICLE WOULD IMMEDIATELY DECELERATE WITHOUT THE CONTACT HANGING THE PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
NHTSA ID
10441815
Incident
Jun 2, 2008
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 23, 2011
CHRONIC, AND DOCUMENTED, FAILURE OF HEAD GASKETS BY SUBARU. CAUSING A LARGE LEAK OF OIL THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE AND/OR ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ID
10393252
Incident
Mar 23, 2011
Mileage
136,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 25, 2011
I BOUGHT A USED CAR THIS PAST SUMMER. NOW THAT IT IS COLD WHENEVER WE GET IN THE CAR WHEN IT'S REALLY COLD AND THERE IS A STRONG GAS ODOR IN THE CAR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT ALLOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS MODEL VARIOUS YEARS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I WOULD THINK THIS A SERIOUS SAFETY AND HEALTH ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10378651
Incident
Jan 20, 2011
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed Oct 22, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU L WAGON. WHILE DRIVING THE ATF WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD DOWN-SHIFT. THE COMPUTER, TRANSMISSION COMPUTER, SPARK PLUG, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND COIL PACK HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 11/12/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON MOST OF THE TIME. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT WORKS ONLY ON SUBARU'S HAD NOT IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WAS NEEDED. UPDATED 11/16/09
NHTSA ID
10289405
Incident
Jan 1, 2006
Mileage
103,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 20, 2009
COOLANT LEAK FROM DRIVERS SIDE HEAD GASKET. *TR
NHTSA ID
10266122
Incident
Jan 7, 2009
Mileage
51,854 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 3, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN SWERVING ACROSS THE LANES. SHE EXITED THE FREEWAY AND DROVE TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE UNIBAR FRAME ABOVE THE FRONT TIRES WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND ONLY THE TRANSMISSION BRACKETS WERE HOLDING THE VEHICLE TOGETHER. THE MECHANIC WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD PAY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE REPAIR SHOP, BUT THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DECLARE THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
NHTSA ID
10257332
Incident
Jan 30, 2009
Mileage
136,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Dec 5, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHAKES SEVERELY WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE MUST BE SHIFTED INTO PARK WHEN THE SHAKING OCCURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ID
10250828
Incident
Sep 5, 2005
Mileage
120,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 18, 2008
UNDER WARRANTY HAD THREE HEAD GASKETS ON 2000 LEGACY 2.5L (38,000, 55,000, 75,600 MILES RESPECTIVELY). AT 97,000 MILE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF #2 CYCLINDER. SUBARU BLAMED ME SINCE I REPLACED THE PLUGS AT 65,000. I PAID $1700 AT LYNNES SUBARU IN ARPIL TO REPLACE LEFT SIDE HEAD WITH NEW ONE. AT 99,500 MILE I AM SEEING THE COOLANT STARTING TO DROP IN RESERVOIR. ONLY 400 MILES LEFT ON 100K HEAD WARRANTY FOR RIGHT SIDE AND 10K MILE ON WARRANTY FOR NEW HEAD. THE CAR IS SITTING UNTIL I GET IT INTO DEALER. BESIDES HEADGASKETS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, REAR WIPER MOTOR, DOOR LOCKS AND UNDER DASH WIRING HAVE ALL FAILED. THIS IS A LEMON. CAN I PROSECUTE UNDER THE NJ LEMON LAW? IS THERE ANY OTHER FORUM TO GET SUBARU TO REPAIR OR BUY BACK VEHCILE? *TR
NHTSA ID
10238636
Incident
Aug 12, 2007
Mileage
99,500 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 16, 2008
FRONT LEFT STRUT BROKE AND CAME CLOSE TO PUNCTURING THE TIRE. COULD HANDLE THE CAR EFFICIENTLY-WENT TO LOCAL GARAGE 1 MILE AWAY , WITH CAUTION , WHERE PEOBLEM WAS DETERMINED
NHTSA ID
10224761
Incident
Apr 13, 2008
Mileage
87,499 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 4, 2008
2000 SUBARU LEGACY L TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE WHILE STOPPED FOR A LIGHT. CAR UNABLE TO BE MOVED AND STUCK IN TRAFFIC. THIS CAUSED A VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM AS TRAFFIC BACKED UP BEHIND THE CAR. TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY REFUSES TO SHIFT. DEALER SAYS NEW TRNS. SUBARU AWARE OF DEFECT IN TRANS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10220035
Incident
Feb 9, 2008
Mileage
77,600 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 30, 2007
I WAS DRIVING ON A DIRT ROAD WHEN THE EXHAUST PIPE BROKE FROM IN FRONT OF THE MUFFLER. THE MUFFLER WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY HANGERS IN THE FRONT, DROPPED DOWN AND DUG INTO THE DIRT. THE REAR OF THE CAR POLE-VAULTED OVER THE MUFFLER, LEADING TO A TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. FORTUNATELY, I WAS GOING SLOW AND STRAIGHT AT THE TIME, AND THERE WAS NO OTHER TRAFFIC. THE DAMAGE TO THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS SUBSTANTIAL. THE MUFFLER WAS REPLACED, AND THE DAMAGE TO THE REAR QUARTER PANELS AND TRUNK WAS REPAIRED BY A BODY SHOP. *TR
NHTSA ID
10207476
Incident
May 11, 2007
Mileage
130,000 mi
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.
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