Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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.
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.
Clutch and flywheel caught fire while driving on the freeway. Car has 36000 miles on it and is serviced by the dealer regularly. Dealer charged me $1200 to replace the clutch and said that it was my fault, that I must "rife the clutch" or habitually overload the vehicle, neither of which is true. I suspect the clutch was flawed to begin with.
There currently has been several technical service bulletins regarding 2000-2002 manual transmission Subaru outbacks. These bulletins refer to a defect in the clutch that causes a premature wear of the clutch and yoke due to an imbalance in causing the car to "judder" or shudder when engaging into gears. I have had an independent mechanic, glen owner of oakland auto works state that he could not warranty the repair of clutch because the recommended repair by Subaru does not reliably fix the problem and many people end up having to have the clutch replaced numerous times in a short time span. Subaru is aware of this problem because they have changed the clutch kit several times and the method of repair to address the problem yet have failed to perform a recall. …
Passenger side sun roof drain plugs up, second time this has happened. Backed up water drains into inside rear cargo area. My vehicle came equipped with the large all weather rubber mat in the cargo area. Since the area where the water pours out is near the right rear of the car the most of the water ends up on the carpet under the mat and it is not always noticeable. Original contractor that fixes leaks for dealer said the fix should take care of problem, did not. This contractor, different from the first contractor, said basically there was nothing I could do to prevent drains from plugging up. Was not driving this time, washed car and saw water on rubber mat while cleaning inside of car. The first time I was driving, in rear view mirror I saw water coming from headliner area, very distracting. …
The tps has been replaced twice, all leads from the wiring harness have been ground and lubricated, but the transmission shift shock remains. The manufacturer's technical department, having made the former guesses on the tps replacement and leads, suggests replacing the ECM and TCM to see if that corrects the problem. The severe shift shock is the most current problem with this egregiously defective vehicle in which all major parts have been replaced since purchasing it new, the repair cost so far equivalent to the purchase price. There is 126,000 miles on the odometer and this vehicle has had only one owner who has always driven it with the utmost care. …
I was driving along, around 50 MPH. I hit a bump in the road, and there was a loud bang. The vehicle jerked and swerved, as it was snowing... I almost lost control. The rear sub-frame was rusted out and had broken, allowing the rear differential to break free and smash up into the fuel tank and cause severe jerking. I had done a little reading, Subaru had a recall on this vehicle for inferior metal on the rear sub-frame. This vehicle was in for the recall in 2003. Where they deemed it not bad enough to replace the sub-frame, but clean it and spray it with anti corrosion substance. As it now stands, the car is not drivable, and the recall fix was clearly not a proper solution. I called Subaru, and they told me that since it had been in for a recall in 2003, there was nothing more on there end that they would do. …
We experienced problems with our 2000 Subaru legacy Outback as similarly reported in complaint # 766462 (transmission leaking fluid, smoking, failure). Subaru dealer refused to provide warranty service for the transmission work (2 incidents between aug 2002 and May 2003), and only a letter by us in June 2003 (noting previous reports in NHTSA website & elsewhere) finally convinced Subaru USA headquarters to investigate the problem further. The fix Subaru performed was replacement of a seal between the transmission and differential housing, which seems to largely resolve the problem (although a slight smoke odor still occurs when driving at high speeds). Subaru USA also refunded all our previous charges by the dealer for prior unsuccessful repairs (which should have been free under the warranty). …
Premature clutch failure on Subaru Outback wagon 2000. Original clutch replaced at 7500 miles and found to have a manufacturers defect, bent forks.ew clutch placed in car. Shortly after, smell of burning, ESP. When backing up or in cold weather, which lasted for 1 month. Clutch then failed prematurely after 40,000 miles. My hypothesis is that the clutch lost a substantial amount of its lining and life span when burning up in the first month of use. Numerous posting on edmunds.com regarding premature clutch failure, burning smell, and clutch shudder in Subaru outbacks. My experience, and the experience of other owners, suggests that there is a general defect present in Subaru clutches from 2000-2002. Lease investigate this defect and consider a recall.
Vehicle approximately 9 months ago was experiencing a slight delay in engaging automatic transmission from any gear into drive. Had dealership look at it and do a transmission flush of all fluid. The problem really didn't get better until finally on 3/19/05 at only 51,800 miles the transmission would no longer engage in drive at all. A transmission shop looked at it and said an 'o' ring failed causing the entire transmission to need to be rebuilt and catalytic converter to be replaced. Cost was $2,644 and was only 6 weeks past expiration of the warranty.
Transmission complaints in other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Subaru Outback, 20% of the model year's 207 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Subaru Outback transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.