VehicleVerdict

2001 Subaru Outback suspension problems

The 2001 Subaru Outback has 20 suspension complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

20

Suspension complaints

10%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Suspension complaints by year

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, CRASHING INTO AN EMBANKMENT. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY BENT INWARD AND THE SUBFRAME…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 13, 2014 · crash

Common questions

How many suspension complaints does the 2001 Subaru Outback have?

NHTSA has 20 complaints about the 2001 Subaru Outback suspension — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Subaru Outback suspension?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the suspension: 03V153000.

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.