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Engine coolingPart report

2000 Subaru Legacy Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
16about this part
Share
17%of 94 total for the year
Median mileage
100,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2000 Subaru Legacy, 17% of the 94 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Under warranty had three head gaskets on 2000 Legacy 2.5l (38,000, 55,000, 75,600 miles respectively). At 97,000 mile spark plug blew out of #2 cyclinder. Subaru blamed me since I replaced the plugs at 65,000. I paid $1700 at lynnes Subaru in arpil to replace left side head with new one. At 99,500 mile I am seeing the coolant starting to drop in reservoir. Only 400 miles left on 100k head warranty for right side and 10k mile on warranty for new head. The car is sitting until I get it into dealer. …”

NHTSA complaint #10238636, filed 2008-08, 99,500 miles

“I was driving on a dirt road when the exhaust pipe broke from in front of the muffler. The muffler was not supported by hangers in the front, dropped down and dug into the dirt. The rear of the car pole-vaulted over the muffler, leading to a temporary loss of control. Fortunately, I was going slow and straight at the time, and there was no other traffic. The damage to the rear of the car was substantial. The muffler was replaced, and the damage to the rear quarter panels and trunk was repaired by a body shop.”

NHTSA complaint #10207476, filed 2007-10, 130,000 miles

“I received a letter from Subaru of america yesterday. It is asking that certain owners of Subaru autos (like my 2000 Legacy) have a stop leak put into the cooling system to avoid leaks in the head gasket. In the past there has been incidences where people had to have their head gaskets replaced on their Subaru autos. This type of quick fix can lead to damaage to the engine parts by partially clogging the cooling system, wearing out the water pump, etc. …”

NHTSA complaint #10060305, filed 2004-03

“The contact owns a 2000 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that her vehicle was in the repair shop for transmission failure. The vehicle also shakes severely when approaching a stop sign or traffic light. The vehicle must be shifted into park when the shaking occurs. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they could not determine the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10250828, filed 2008-12, 120,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2000 Subaru Legacy. The contact was driving 40 MPH when there was an increase in engine rpms and the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact mentioned that the check engine and automatic transmission fluid temperature warning lamps were illuminated. The contact also stated that the failure would recur sporadically and once it did, the vehicle would immediately decelerate without the contact hanging the pressure on the accelerator. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #10441815, filed 2011-12, 100,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025117%
202113%
201611%
201511%
201323%
201164%
201043%
200912%
200726%
200645%
20052916%
200424%
2003915%
2002917%
20011114%
20001617%
19991112%
19983026%
19973122%
19962218%
1995179%
199447%
19931722%
199247%
199168%
199022%

Other parts of the 2000 Subaru Legacy

Tires
17 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
14 complaints
Suspension
13 complaints
Vehicle speed control
10 complaints
Body and structure
8 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Electrical system
6 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Air bags
3 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2000 Subaru Legacy

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology