2001 Subaru Outback Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 10%of 171 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2001 Subaru Outback, 10% of the 171 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,500 miles. 6 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 was traveling on an interstate highway in the middle lane at 65-70 MPH with cruise control set when traffic slowed down suddenly. My first reaction in this case is to pull the speed control lever towards me to disengage it and take manual control of the car to slow down by braking or downshifting, as per usual procedure. In this case throttle failed to decelerate after several attempts, upon which I then repeatedly stamped the brake pedal, which was also unresponsive (did not cancel acceleration or slow the vehicle). …”
NHTSA complaint #10553133, filed 2013-11, 107,650 miles“My 2001 Subaru Outback suddenly accelerates, on its own, while my foot is lightly on the brake. This happens mostly in parking lots/pulling into parking spaces.”
NHTSA complaint #10116655, filed 2005-04, 40,000 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“Dt: unintended acceleration and braking, when depressing the gas pedal it takes right off, can take foot off the gas pedal and it still surges forward. It is hard to slow down the vehicle when hitting brakes. This problem got so bad that it wouldn't let consumer make a turn. Had to keep going forward inside. Railroads tracks were there and hit the mound. Had to replace brake pads and rotors. It was 1000.00 miles when it was done last june.”
NHTSA complaint #10126796, filed 2005-06, 4,000 miles“Dt: the odomoter was not reading correctly. On 2 separate occasions the contact tested the odometer and the results were not correct. The contact believed that if the odometer was not reading correctly then the speedometer was not reading correctly.”
NHTSA complaint #10119949, filed 2005-05, 43,000 milesRelated 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 Outback 2001–2004, Legacy 2001–2004, Impreza 2002–2004
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 10% |
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 4 | 1% |
| 2021 | 19 | 6% |
| 2020 | 18 | 2% |
| 2019 | 26 | 3% |
| 2018 | 21 | 3% |
| 2017 | 29 | 3% |
| 2016 | 22 | 3% |
| 2015 | 26 | 5% |
| 2014 | 14 | 7% |
| 2013 | 26 | 9% |
| 2012 | 8 | 3% |
| 2011 | 26 | 4% |
| 2010 | 13 | 4% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 6 | 3% |
| 2007 | 17 | 13% |
| 2006 | 98 | 35% |
| 2005 | 40 | 15% |
| 2004 | 20 | 22% |
| 2003 | 9 | 10% |
| 2002 | 12 | 8% |
| 2001 | 17 | 10% |
| 2000 | 14 | 7% |
| 1999 | 9 | 8% |
| 1998 | 13 | 10% |
| 1997 | 8 | 10% |
| 1996 | 4 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2001 Subaru Outback
32 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsSuspension
19 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 30, 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