2001 Subaru Outback Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 11%of 171 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 157,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Subaru Outback, 11% of the 171 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 157,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I contacted Subaru's customer service number and told them that the subframe was broken and that they needed to fix the problem and they said I would have to pay out of pocket and that the recall was completed in august 2005 but the subframe is completely rusted out and broken please contact Subaru and get them to open another recall on these cars because the fix that they used didn't work”
NHTSA complaint #11206351, filed 2019-05, 275,100 miles“On sunday 29 2015 at 12.30 am .. My son was driving and a loud noise was coming from under the car . He had some trouble to turn and stop on the side. He did it ,we had to tow the car. The s arm broke subframe broke off. Was all rusted ..”
NHTSA complaint #10702984, filed 2015-03, 180,980 miles“I was driving on I-84 in ct when my passenger side rear tire blew. The car fishtailed but I got it slowed down and over to the shoulder without getting into an accident. When the garage put the car up on a lift it was determined that the rear subframe had broken right where the upper control arm connected to it which allowed the tire to lean in towards the body of the car where it rubbed against the body, heated up and then ruptured. These tires had just been installed 3 days earlier. …”
NHTSA complaint #10621925, filed 2014-08, 130,000 miles“My vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign 03v153000, which resulted in manufacturer recall wwm96-rear. This recall was performed on my vehicle on 4/13/2004 at 36,339 miles with the intended purpose of halting premature rust-out of the rear sub-frame component. In the process of recently replacing exhaust components at approximately 130,000 miles it was noted that the rear sub-frame component is now perforated by rust even though similar components are not, which would seem to indicate that the original repair was not adequate. …”
NHTSA complaint #10458889, filed 2012-05, 130,000 miles“Recall 03v153000 concerning rear suspension sub frame assembly: vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repairs. The consumer was told that the repairs could not be done because no spray booth was available. The dealer refused to help the consumer find a dealer with a spray booth.”
NHTSA complaint #10042673, filed 2003-11, 100,000 milesRelated recalls
- 03V153000Apr 22, 2003This recall applies to certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa…Covers: Subaru Outback 2000–2003, Legacy 2000–2003
Related service bulletins
- 11014856Feb 10, 2025Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that affected vehicles, listed below, may have been manufactured with improperly applied paint to the rear suspension sub-frame…
- 11008259Sep 4, 2024This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement.
- 11005593Jul 8, 2024This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 3 | 0% |
| 2019 | 7 | 1% |
| 2018 | 9 | 1% |
| 2017 | 6 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 0% |
| 2015 | 5 | 1% |
| 2014 | 5 | 2% |
| 2013 | 15 | 5% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 21 | 3% |
| 2010 | 26 | 7% |
| 2009 | 5 | 5% |
| 2008 | 12 | 5% |
| 2007 | 14 | 11% |
| 2006 | 37 | 13% |
| 2005 | 56 | 21% |
| 2004 | 4 | 4% |
| 2003 | 9 | 10% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 19 | 11% |
| 2000 | 24 | 12% |
| 1999 | 13 | 12% |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% |
| 1997 | 4 | 5% |
| 1996 | 4 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2001 Subaru Outback
32 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsTires
9 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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