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EnginePart report

2000 Subaru Outback Engine Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
1%of 207 total for the year
Median mileage
120,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2000 Subaru Outback, 1% of the 207 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

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.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10678184, filed 2015-01, 120,000 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10641450, filed 2014-10, 81,098 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10510936, filed 2013-05, 200,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202556%
202477%
202311%
2022235%
2021217%
2020495%
2019394%
2018375%
2017445%
2016538%
2015479%
20143517%
20136723%
20125017%
20118513%
20104412%
20091514%
2008146%
20071512%
20064316%
2005104%
200422%
200355%
200254%
200031%

Other parts of the 2000 Subaru Outback

Transmission and drivetrain
42 complaints
Engine cooling
35 complaints
Tires
30 complaints
Suspension
24 complaints
Vehicle speed control
14 complaints
Body and structure
13 complaints
Brakes
12 complaints
Fuel system
12 complaints
Electrical system
8 complaints
Seat belts
8 complaints
Other or unknown
6 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2000 Subaru Outback

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