Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, he heard an abnormally loud noise from the engine as the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was moved to the shoulder and upon further inspection, the contact discovered a fire under the hood. The flames spread to the two front tires, which then exploded. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was awaiting diagnosis. The failure and current mileage was 200,000.
The head gaskets and catalytic converter went out on my 2000 Subaru in February and April 2004 respectively. Subaru paid for the head gaskets under warranty; however, it was not under a recall and refused to pay for the catalytic converter. Had it happened 3 months later, it would not have been covered under warranty at that time. I even mentioned that I thought that the two were related. I was told by the dealer "kelly Subaru" that the incidents were not related; however, I believe that the two events were related. Here it is February 2008 and the head gaskets and catalytic converter are both in need of replacing. When I talked to Subaru at [phone] their customer service area, they said what should I expect from a car that has 190K miles on it. I then tried to explain that this was the second incident in 8 years and it's always involves both at the same time. …
I own a 2000 Subaru Outback ltd, white VIN [redacted]. It has approx. 63,000 miles and has had for the last several weeks, an anti-freeze smell after the car has initially warmed up. As it turns out, I brought the vehicle into the nearest Subaru dealership for it's 60,000 mile service and was dismayed to receive a call from the service advisor informing me that the head gasket was gone and needed replacing. In this day an age of modern vehicles, a head gasket rarely becomes defective at 63,000 miles; check statistics!!! I believe that this failure is due to a design flaw when Subaru went to the 2.5l engine size as many other Subaru owners are now experiencing this unwarranted repair at such an early time frame. As these irritated Subaru owners approach the 60,000 to 80,000 mile mark and start experiencing these head gasket replacements, you should become inundated with complaints. …
2000 Subaru Outback 2.5l (91,235mi)- after owning the vehicle 1yr and driving only 11K mi, in which during the year maintenance included oil changes and brakes, symptoms began to occur such as: constant smell of coolant drifting into the car, occasional temperature spikes (even with coolant in the radiator) and rare signs of smoke from the exhaust. After the 2nd random spike in temp, I took the vehicle to north county Subaru. They diagnosed that there are 2 leaking head gaskets and claimed there is a "campaign for recall" on head gaskets between years of 99-2002, as well as a previous recall to remedy the coolant odor. Subaru assigned a case number but Subaru has not offered to honor the campaign nor has phone conversations produced any results thus far. Please help as they want to charge me to fix the head gaskets when they know the car was manufactured with a defect. …
2000 Outback wagon, 5 spd, with 48,000 miles. I've been getting a "hot" coolant smell coming from under the hood (driver's side) for about the last 1,000 miles. When the coolant reservoir ran empty I knew there was a problem and took it in to the dealer's shop. Sure enough, leaking head gasket on driver's side. When they did the repairs, the water pump was found to be leaking as well. The gasket and water pump were replaced free of charge, because the vehicle still falls under the 60K mile drivetrain warranty. My wife just bought a 2004 Outback sport, with the same 5 spd 2.5 engine. I'm hoping Subaru has fixed the head gasket problem in the new engines, because I've been recommending these vehicles to a lot of people and now I'm starting to wonder. I live in madison; more suburu's were sold here last year than any other city. …
Cylinder head gaskets replaced at 81,098 miles. Due to the low mileage, the vehicle was not under warranty because 8 years had passed (8 years or 100,000), whichever comes first. August 2014 vehicle would take several seconds to engage into drive from reverse. Eventually, the problem became worse and I was afraid that it could cause an accident because it was taking too long to engage into drive. I took the car to aamco who installed a rebuilt transmission at 83,695 miles. These problem have been reported by Subaru owners, but I have yet to see a recall. So, in the last two years, I have spent $5,055 in car repairs. I'm retired so I can't afford to buy a newer vehicle. Although this car handles well in snow and rain, due to the expensive repairs I have had to make and Subaru corporation's lack of acknowledgement of these issues, I doubt that I will ever purchase a Subaru again.
Smelled coolant and burnt oil upon returning to garage after normal operation. Diagnosis: failed head gasket & leaking rear oil seal. Repair included both head gaskets, complete valve job, and new seal. Also replaced timing belt after only 11,000 miles of service, and clutch as preventative maintenance items. Cost, $2,954.50. This vehicle has been carefully maintained, including using Subaru's "cooling system treatment" additive to protect the head gaskets. Obviously it doesn't do the job of overcoming a rotten design. Clearly the history of complaints from others confirm a design defect in this 2.5l engine. This 4-wheel drive vehicle with extra ground-clearance, is advertised--and mine is used--for travel in desert sand and high mountain snow. A head gasket failure in such conditions can lead to death.
Engine coolant leaks. Now 90,000 miles. This has been leaking since new or shortly after causing a hot antifreeze smell like it is drippng on the exhaust. Dealer never could find the problem until after the recall. They added the stop leak solution but it continues to smell and use some fluid. Dealer says that Subaru has an option to replace head gaskets, but dealer is reluctant to do it. I am having to now get tough about it. I had to pay for a new engine in my wifes 1998 Outback due to the same problem. Upset because it was just in for full service check prior to warranty expiring. Subaru has extended the warranty to 100,000 for this problem but I am nearly past that now. I don't want them to put it off until after warranty. I have also submitted complaint about sensors and catalytic converter problems.
Engine complaints in other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Subaru Outback, 18% of the model year's 207 complaints. The component named most often is engine (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Subaru Outback engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Subaru Outback, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Subaru Outback engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.