2000 Subaru Outback Reliability
The 2000 Subaru Outback has 207 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and engine & cooling. Compared with nearby Outback model years (1998–2002), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Outback's typical year, while the 1999 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
207
NHTSA owner complaints
2
Recall campaigns
17
Complaints citing a crash
5
Complaints citing a fire
2000 Subaru Outback complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 model year, filed between 1999 and 2018. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 42 | 20% |
| Engine & cooling | 35 | 17% |
| Tires | 30 | 14% |
| Suspension | 24 | 12% |
| Speed control / throttle | 14 | 7% |
| Body structure | 13 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 12 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 4% |
2000 Subaru Outback recalls
2 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2000 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03V153000 | Apr 22, 2003 | Suspension — rear | This recall applies to certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey,… |
| 13E065000 | Nov 29, 2013 | Fuel system — delivery / fuel pump | Airtex Products LP (Airtex) is recalling certain model E8598M, E8518M, E8600M, E8596M, and E8597M fuel pumps manufactured July 26, 2013, and July 29, 2013 and used as aftermarket replacements on Subaru Baja's, Outback's and Legacy's. The affected fuel pumps… |
How the 2000 compares with nearby Outback years
Verdicts compare these Outback model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 127 | 2 | Engine & cooling | Solid |
| 1999 | 111 | 1 | Powertrain / transmission | Better year |
| 2000 (this page) | 207 | 2 | Powertrain / transmission | Caution |
| 2001 | 170 | 4 | Fuel system | Caution |
| 2002 | 147 | 5 | Service brakes | Caution |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2000 Subaru Outback
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Engine & cooling: look for coolant leaks or low coolant, watch the temperature gauge on a long test drive, and check for overheating history.
- Tires: check tread depth and date codes, and look for uneven wear that points to alignment problems.
- Suspension: listen for clunks over bumps, look for leaking struts and uneven tire wear.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 2 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2000 Subaru Outback can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2000 Subaru Outback reliability FAQ
Is the 2000 Subaru Outback reliable?
The 2000 Subaru Outback has 207 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and engine & cooling. Compared with nearby Outback model years (1998–2002), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Outback's typical year, while the 1999 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2000 Subaru Outback problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2000 Subaru Outback are powertrain / transmission (42), engine & cooling (35), tires (30), suspension (24). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2000 Subaru Outback have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2000 Subaru Outback, including 03V153000 (suspension — rear) and 13E065000 (fuel system — delivery / fuel pump). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2000 Subaru Outback compare with the 1999 and 2001 models?
By NHTSA records, the 1999 has 111 complaints and 1 recall (better year); the 2001 has 170 complaints and 4 recalls (caution). The 2000 has 207 complaints and 2 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2000 Subaru Outback?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Subaru Outback research
Other Subaru Outback model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2000 Outback, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.