2001 Subaru Legacy Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 12%of 77 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2001 Subaru Legacy, 12% of the 77 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I am afraid to drive this car now. It hesitates, then lunges forward very quickly. The dealer acknowledges the problem, which he says is a problem in alot of Legacy sedans, but Subaru can't figure out how to fix it. I am asking them to fix it or replace the car with a safe vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #751011, filed 2001-08“While driving, throttle stuck at 53 MPH, consumer was able to stop by braking at a stop light, the vehicle idled at 4500 RPM, consumer shifted to park and back to drive and the RPM dropped to 3000 rpms, consumer pulled over to the shoulder and parked vehicle for 25 minutes, after restarting, everything was working okay, consumer is taking vehicle to the dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #785912, filed 2002-03“Vehicle was in park and engine was off. Consumer started vehicle and shifted into reverse, and vehicle overaccelerated and landed on top of car behind her. Dealership has vehicle and repairing defect. Dealership has not informed consumer as to why defect occurred. Please provide any additional information/attachments.”
NHTSA complaint #885537, filed 2001-04“While driving and coming to a complete stop, vehicle lunges forward, an accident occurred. There were no injuries. When in reverse vehicle will just take off on its own going backward. There is a technical service bulletin regarding this issue. Dealer notified.”
NHTSA complaint #8007745, filed 2002-04“Consumer had foot on brakes while pulling into a parking space, and vehcle took off. It went through a fence and down into a ditch. Dealer couldn't find anything wrong. Throttle must have gotten stuck, but no proof in inspection. Consumer has only had vehicle 3 weeks leased.”
NHTSA complaint #883144, filed 2001-03Related recalls
- 04V128000Mar 16, 2004On 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…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2001–2004, Outback 2001–2004, Impreza 2002–2004
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 17% |
| 2022 | 2 | 6% |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 4 | 3% |
| 2019 | 4 | 3% |
| 2018 | 3 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 9 | 6% |
| 2015 | 14 | 9% |
| 2014 | 3 | 6% |
| 2013 | 4 | 6% |
| 2012 | 4 | 4% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 8 | 5% |
| 2008 | 5 | 8% |
| 2006 | 30 | 34% |
| 2005 | 15 | 8% |
| 2004 | 5 | 10% |
| 2003 | 5 | 8% |
| 2002 | 4 | 7% |
| 2001 | 9 | 12% |
| 2000 | 10 | 11% |
| 1999 | 12 | 13% |
| 1998 | 10 | 9% |
| 1997 | 9 | 6% |
| 1996 | 7 | 6% |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% |
| 1994 | 2 | 3% |
| 1993 | 4 | 5% |
| 1992 | 2 | 4% |
| 1991 | 5 | 6% |
| 1990 | 5 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2001 Subaru Legacy
19 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsTires
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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