The Lemon Index2000 Subaru Outback.
The 2000 Subaru Outback is worse than average by owner complaints: 112 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 157, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about tires, and it has 2 recalls. The best Subaru Outback year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 207 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Subaru Outback year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 47K to 104K miles on the car (104 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 34K–71K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 51K–93K miles
Recalls 2
- fuel system, gasoline 2013
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- suspension 2003
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,…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Subaru told dealers about
Subaru sent dealers 76 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine cooling system conditioner.*mr
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
In owners' words
Transmission computer failed, causing vehicle to lose control and jolt onto the oncoming lane, luckily there was no oncoming traffic and no accident.
2000 Subaru Outback owner · NHTSA complaint 557653
More owner reports
The firestone wilderness 225/60r216 tires are defective which is causing the vehicle to pull while driving.
NHTSA complaint 554477
Right rear tire had sudden and catostrophic disintegration of sidewall at highway speed without hitting any debri. No loss of control but total loss of tire.
NHTSA complaint 732636
Quick answers
Is the 2000 Subaru Outback reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 157; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Outback year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2000 Subaru Outback problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (26%), transmission & drivetrain (13%) and engine (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Subaru Outback have?
2 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage do 2000 Subaru Outback problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 47,200 and 104,800 miles. The middle report was at 68,300 miles, from 104 complaints.
Does the 2000 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
What Subaru Outback year is better than the 2000?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2014 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works