Most common 2000 Subaru Outback problems
Share of the 207 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Subaru Outback complaints by model year
Best Outback years: 1996, 2004, 2003. Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2022. Compare all years →
2000 Subaru Outback recalls (1)
Suspension › Rear
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…
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…
What 2000 Subaru Outback owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 42 →
Tl contact owns a 2000 Subaru Outback. The vehicle would jerk when idling. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, there was a delay and the vehicle would jolt forward. The dealer stated that internal transmission parts failed and the transmission needed to be replaced. At 64,000 miles, the contact smelled rotten eggs when driving 35 MPH. The dealer replaced the catalytic converter. While driving between 25- 60 MPH with the air conditioner activated, she smelled something burning inside the passenger compartment. The dealer stated that the head gasket failed and needed to be replaced. The head gasket failed at 55,000 and 80,000 miles. The failure mileage was 55,000 and current mileage was 95,000.
I was advised by a mechanic on 4/20/15 that the rear cradle is very rusty, enough that I should avoid carrying heavy loads. I just noticed on this website that there was a recall in 2003 for inadequate rustproofing of that part; however, we never received notice of a recall. Can this be repaired or replaced now? There was no incident associated with this problem.
Engine & cooling all 38 →
Tl contact owns a 2000 Subaru Outback. The vehicle would jerk when idling. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, there was a delay and the vehicle would jolt forward. The dealer stated that internal transmission parts failed and the transmission needed to be replaced. At 64,000 miles, the contact smelled rotten eggs when driving 35 MPH. The dealer replaced the catalytic converter. While driving between 25- 60 MPH with the air conditioner activated, she smelled something burning inside the passenger compartment. The dealer stated that the head gasket failed and needed to be replaced. The head gasket failed at 55,000 and 80,000 miles. The failure mileage was 55,000 and current mileage was 95,000.
In cold weather (usually 25 f and below) there is a strong fuel smell. Worse the colder it gets. I am worried for my baby's health and also worried I was inhaling this leaking fuel throughout my pregnancy. It is obviously not something that should be happening and is unhealthy. I reported this to a mechanic shop and they rebuilt the engine because of other issues. They said this rebuilding would fix the fuel leak/smell also. It lessened it, but it is still there every time it is cold out. It dissipates after driving it for a while. I have come to understand this is a widespread issue and there really should be a recall.
Wheels & tires all 32 →
Tire seam blew out in perfect circumference accompanied by profuse smoke. Extremely dangerous situation since I could not see what was happening to my car due to the smoke. I thought I blew a gasket. Brought tire to Firestone dealer where they did a soap test. No punctures were there except the complete breakdown of the seam on the outside of the tire. They replaced it, however they replaced it with another wilderness tire. In the 28 years of driving I have had, I have never experienced a blow out like this or even seen one. The degree of smoke and perfect failure of the seam point to a problem worthy of your investigation. Please notify me, in kind, of the procedure you will under take to insure that the thousands of people driving the new 2000 Outback equipped with the wilderness tires will be safe from harm. I believe with all my heart that there is a serious problem here. …
Tire seam blew out, in a perfect circumference, accompanied by profuse smoke. Extremely dangerous situation since I could not see what was happening to my car due to the smoke. I thought I blew a gasket. Brought tire to Firestone dealer, where they did a soap test. No punctures were there except the complete breakdown of the seam on the outside of tire. They replaced it, however, they replaced it with anotherk wilderness tire. In thye 28 years of driving I have had, I have never experienced a blow out like this, or even seen one. The degree of smoke, and perfect failure of the seam point to a problem worthy of your investigation., please notify me, in kind, of the procedure you will under take to insure that the thousands of people driving the new 2000 Outback equiped with the wilderness tires will be safe from harm. I believe with all my heart that there is a serious problem here. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Subaru Outback a good car?
Based on 207 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 Outback rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Outback at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Subaru Outback?
The transmission & drivetrain — 42 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the engine & cooling (38) and wheels & tires (32).
How many recalls does the 2000 Subaru Outback have?
There is 1 recall for the 2000 Subaru Outback, the most recent from April 22, 2003 (rear). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Subaru Outback?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996, 2004 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018 and 2022. See the full Subaru Outback years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Subaru Outback problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 69,000 miles; 26% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.