Model year record

2000 Subaru Outback

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 247 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V153000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
170,000
Reported to NHTSA
2003-04-22
Owners notified
2003-07-14

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Tires2216,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1860,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1268,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1256,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling988,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly835,500 mi
Suspension7147,138 mi
Tires: tread/belt7
Power train6110,000 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar692,995 mi
Suspension: rear6130,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline596,543 mi
Fuel/propulsion system5124,400 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip563,600 mi
Electrical system4124,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system461,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly448,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor479,049 mi
Structure: frame and members4
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields4169,712 mi
Suspension: front4
Wheels4138,934 mi
Air bags: frontal379,049 mi
Engine3120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline384,443 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor389,000 mi
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint339,744 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
Structure: body339,744 mi
Tires: sidewall352,940 mi
Unknown or other3105,000 mi
Visibility: windshield3
Child seat2
Equipment239,000 mi
Exterior lighting2177,000 mi
Fuel system, other267,000 mi
Interior lighting2141,204 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)25,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission267,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Seat belts: rear/other2141,204 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages2
Steering262,000 mi
Air bags187,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1
Child seat: material/padding1
Electrical system: ignition120,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch168,635 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines127,164 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)120,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)134,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft178,000 mi
Seat belts1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, air: controls1
Service brakes, hydraulic187,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1100,000 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman1
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment135,765 mi
Structure125,200 mi
Structure: body: bumpers147,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing136,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control178,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages151,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1

The 1999 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2001 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.