VehicleVerdict

2000 Subaru Legacy problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2000 Subaru Legacy sits mid-pack among Legacy years: 119 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 90, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across tires & wheels (19), engine (18), and suspension (14), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

119

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Legacy years?

See all Legacy years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Subaru Legacy problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels1916%
Engine1815%
Transmission1412%
Suspension1412%
Speed Control108%
Body & Structure87%
Brakes87%
Electrical System76%
Fuel System65%
Airbags33%
Seat Belts33%
Steering33%
Visibility & Wipers33%
Other11%
Lighting11%
Seats11%

Does the 2000 Subaru Legacy have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13E065000Fuel SystemNovember 29, 2013 · 397 units

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.

03V153000SuspensionApril 22, 2003 · 170,000 units

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.

00V091000SteeringMarch 24, 2000 · 129 units

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.

99V249000TransmissionSeptember 17, 1999 · 13 units

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55 MPH AND, HEARD A NOISE, AND AND SAW TIRE DEBRIS HITTING AGAINST VEHICLE . VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. BECAUSE ENTERING A TUNNEL HE PULLED OVER. NO VISIBLE PUNCTURE ON THE TIRE. LEFT REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 6, 2000

RAW FUEL VAPORS ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. DLR HAS TRIED TO FIX WITH NO SUCCESS. SUBARU HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. DLR FOUND AND REPLACED LEAKING FUEL RAILS. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PASSENGERS OVERCOME BY FUMES. COULD BE CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS, INJURIES OR EVEN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 1, 2001

NEW TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN AT AROUND 40K MILES. NOW THE CAR IS AT 85K MILES. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND GAVE MY CAR A LITTLE GAS. THE CAR REVED AND ACCELERATED FOR NO REASON, BUT I LOOKED AT MY GAUGES AND NOTHING LOOKED OUT OF THE ORDINARY, SO I KEPT DRIVING. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, I WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 28, 2005 · crash

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO A GAS STATION AT 2MPH, THE FRONT SUSPENSION STABILIZER BAR BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE STABILIZER BAR BROKE AS A RESULT OF A ROAD HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER DRIVEN OFF ROAD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 1, 2006

ONCE VEHICLE WAS TURNED AND CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE, VEHICLE ACCELERATED, EVEN THOUGH CONSUMER HAD HIS FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL. *AK AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO EXAMINED THE VEHICLE STATED THAT UNDER FULL THROTTLE, THE BRAKES DO NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 23, 2001 · crash

2000 Subaru Legacy — common questions

Is the 2000 Subaru Legacy reliable?

It is close to typical for the Legacy: 119 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2000 Legacy problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (19 complaints), engine (18 complaints), suspension (14 complaints).

Does the 2000 Subaru Legacy have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Subaru Legacy. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Subaru Legacy years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Legacy years to avoid are 2005, 2011, 2015, 1995, 2010, 2016, 1997, 2018, 1996, 1998, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2006, 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among Legacy years belongs to 1989.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.