Model year guide

2001 Subaru Legacy

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2001 Subaru Legacy is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 11 on record.

2001 Subaru Legacy — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2001 Subaru Legacy at a glance

Safety recalls8
Owner complaints81
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$1,800

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2001 Subaru Legacy recalls 8

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #13E065000 · 29/11/2013

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 t…

Fix: 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.

Seats NHTSA Campaign #01V034000 · 07/02/2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUALLY-ADJUSTABLE (NON-POWERED) SEATS. CERTAIN INNER FRONT SLIDE RAIL LATCH MECHANISMS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH FRONT SEAT INNER SLIDE RAILS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 30, 2001. 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #00V393000 · 21/11/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE OF UNDER-HOOD FUEL HOSES AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (-40 DEGREES C) ONCE THE FUEL HOSES AGE AND BECOME LESS FLEXIBLE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR UNDER-HOOD FUEL HOSES WITH LOT NUMBERS 0804 AND 0806 AND ALL FUEL HOSES WITH THOSE NUMBERS WILL BE REPLACED.

Seat Belts:rear/other NHTSA Campaign #00V392000 · 21/11/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INCORRECT BEIGE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS INSTALLED. THE BELT LENGTH IS TOO SHORT.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL BEIGE COLORED REAR CENTER LAP/SHOULDER BELTS WITH LOT NUMBER 0171.

Steering:linkages NHTSA Campaign #00V391000 · 21/11/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A CASTING FLAW IN THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING HOUSING COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING IF THE CASTING FLAW SHOULD EXIST IN THE TIE-ROD ARM.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FRONT BEARING HOUSINGS WITH A LOT NUMBER OF OF15.

Vehicle Speed Control:cables NHTSA Campaign #04V128000 · 16/03/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AND LODGE ON THE CONTROL LEVER TAB WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AND WILL REMAIN IN AN OPEN POSITION.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER TAB ON THE THROTTLE SHAFT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM COMING OUT OF ITS TRACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #03V153000 · 22/04/2003

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 COMPONE…

Fix: 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.

Power Train:automatic Transmission NHTSA Campaign #02V282000 · 30/10/2002

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "P" (PARK) POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM, THAT IS INTENDED TO HOLD YOUR VEHICLE, MAY NOT ENGAGE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION JANUARY 8, 2003. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY W…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2001 Subaru Legacy common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2001 Subaru Legacy MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,120

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2001 Subaru Legacy worth?

Low
$900
Typical price
$1,800
High
$3,000

From 9 comparable 2001 Subaru Legacy listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2001 Subaru Legacy costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,600
Depreciation (5 yrs)$650
Total$16,250
Per mile$0.22

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($1,800) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,150), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2001 Subaru Legacy trims & engines on record

Trims
L · GT Limited · GT
Engines
2.5L

2001 Subaru Legacy vehicles on record

Other Subaru Legacy model years

2001 Subaru Legacy — frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Subaru Legacy have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for the 2001 Subaru Legacy. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Subaru Legacy?

Based on 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel system, engine, gasoline.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Subaru Legacy get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2001 Subaru Legacy at about 21 mpg combined (19 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2001 Subaru Legacy worth?

Comparable 2001 Subaru Legacy listings run roughly $900–$3,000, typically around $1,800 (from 9 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.