2001 Subaru Outback Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 13%of 171 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,750miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Subaru Outback, 13% of the 171 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,750 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.
“The automatic transmission park mechanism does not engage properly. With selector lever in park and car turned off and ignition key removed, the car rolls. In the early years, the car rolled only slightly and finally engaged : now, the car rolls several feet and does not always engage, requiring use of the emergency brake for all parking. Because the problem is getting worse, we searched for repair & recall information. We found that although our model & year are on the recall list for this park mechanism, our VIN# is not.”
NHTSA complaint #10223809, filed 2008-04, 60,300 miles“Starting around 62k miles, I heard a whining noise from the front of the car. The noise got louder and higher with wheel speed. When I took it to a mechanic, they diagnosed a bad differential bearing, and informed me that the recommended fix was replacement of the entire transmission, including both differentials. When I went to the dealer to confirm this, they quoted me $6,000-$8,000 for the repair. I tried to get some relief from Subaru of america, since the powertrain warranty goes for 60k miles, but they were unwilling. …”
NHTSA complaint #10217820, filed 2008-02, 65,000 miles“Since day one, the clutch has shuddered at engagement when engine/drivetrain is cold. The tremors are violent enough to shake the entire vehicle disturbingly. This has been a nuisance and somewhat of a safety issue as you cannot accelerate quickly if necessary. Over the last 10000 miles or so, I've noticed a burning smell when engaging the clutch on an uphill start. Dealership says the clutch is slipping and will need replacement soon and I only have 61500 highway miles on the car! I've had plenty of cars go over 150000 miles with no clutch problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #10119851, filed 2005-05, 61,500 miles“Car has significant hesitation during periods of acceleration, usually around 2500-3500 RPM. Potentially dangerous in many driving situations. Have reported to dealer multiple times. Response is always cannot reproduce - computer shows operating as designed . Car also has spontaneous acceleration at low speed, such as first taking foot off brake.”
NHTSA complaint #10010279, filed 2003-03, 8,500 miles“Since about 10,000 miles the clutch shudders when trying to accelerate. Usually only when engine is cold but not 100% of the time. Have complained to Subaru dealer but they could not duplicate the problem. Apparently a known problem with some subarus but not all dealers address it.”
NHTSA complaint #10066091, filed 2004-04, 10,000 milesRelated recalls
- 02V282000Oct 30, 2002Certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions were produced with an improperly manufactured transmission parking rod…Covers: Subaru Outback 2001–2003, Legacy 2001–2003, Impreza 2002–2003 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
- 10186364Jan 12, 2021This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
- 10150949Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10150924Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10089957Jan 15, 2014Repair procedure for high-pitched sound from extension housing area using latest generation production parts - this bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and…
- 10141537May 22, 2013This Bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and parts information to address a customer concern of a high-pitched sound coming from the transmission extension…
- 10079980Jan 3, 2013This bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and parts information to address a customer concern of a high-pitched sound coming from the transmission extension…
- 10234258Dec 11, 20125MT Transfer Driven Gear Bearings
- 10093967Dec 11, 2012This bulletin reviews a change to the part numbers used for the transfer driven gear bearings. These revised bearings are to be used to enhance durability.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 5 | 6% |
| 2024 | 6 | 6% |
| 2023 | 5 | 6% |
| 2022 | 18 | 4% |
| 2021 | 12 | 4% |
| 2020 | 48 | 5% |
| 2019 | 16 | 2% |
| 2018 | 14 | 2% |
| 2017 | 47 | 5% |
| 2016 | 45 | 7% |
| 2015 | 37 | 7% |
| 2014 | 25 | 12% |
| 2013 | 60 | 20% |
| 2012 | 108 | 37% |
| 2011 | 216 | 33% |
| 2010 | 94 | 26% |
| 2009 | 8 | 8% |
| 2008 | 12 | 5% |
| 2007 | 9 | 7% |
| 2006 | 17 | 6% |
| 2005 | 17 | 6% |
| 2004 | 10 | 11% |
| 2003 | 13 | 14% |
| 2002 | 20 | 14% |
| 2001 | 23 | 13% |
| 2000 | 42 | 20% |
| 1999 | 29 | 26% |
| 1998 | 19 | 15% |
| 1997 | 8 | 10% |
| 1996 | 5 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2001 Subaru Outback
32 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsSuspension
19 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