2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,044 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2001 Subaru Legacy:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #5

Dec 102010

Legacy 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Subaru Legacy GT. The contact started the ignition and smelled a strong odor of fuel inside of the cabin. The failure occurred only in freezing weather temperatures. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and remained there for seven days to further investigate the problem. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 00V393000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The contact experienced the identical failure as mentioned in the recall. The VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 03/29/11 the consumer stated the dealer replaced the hoses under recall 00V393000, although his VIN was not included in the recall. The consumer stated she will have to wait until the winter to see if the problem has been rectified. Updated 08/19/11

- Lake Tapps, WA, USA

problem #4

Nov 302010

Legacy 4-cyl

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Subaru Legacy. Upon entering the vehicle the contact could smell a strong odor of gasoline. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told this was a known failure due to the fuel lines shrinking in cold weather. An unknown repair was performed on the vehicle. A few weeks later the failure recurred. The failure mileage was 128,000 and the current mileage was 130,000. The consumer stated the smell was most prominent during the day. Although the smell would sometimes occur when the heat was on and it intensified when the fan was turned on. The problem began at the end of November. The smell was most pronounced when the temperature dropped into the twenties. The consumer stated she looked for evidence of a gas leak, but was unable to find anything. The consumer believed there as design/defect in materials. The consumer was informed there was no recall on her vehicle and Subaru denied any responsibility because of the age and mileage of the vehicle. Updated evoq 01/31/11. Updated 2/23/11 updated 12/06/2011

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #3

Feb 062007

Legacy 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles
Our 2001 Subaru Legacy was having the smell of gas inside the car lately when we first started it and when we would stop for a traffic light or stop sign. I checked the recall notices on the gov't site and found the problem listed, complete with a engine area diagram showing where the possible gasoline line leak could be. I checked under the hood and sure enough there it was. The funny thing was that our VIN # was not in the range they said was effected. I think Subaru and the gov't should take another look at the vehicles effected. I believe there are more then you originally thought. I was able to tighten the hoses clamps and so far it looks like it isn't leaking anymore.

- Marquette, MI, USA

problem #2

Feb 172006

Legacy 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20 miles
For the second time in below zero outside temperatures, we are experiencing a fuel leak in our vehicle. A call to our dealership indicates they are fielding numerous calls of this type today. Our first experience of the problem was December 24, 2004.

- Parker, CO, USA

problem #1

Jan 242004

Legacy 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,200 miles
2001 Subaru Legacy GT limited. Third instance of fuel leak in engine. This time, visible fuel leak from fuel lines upon starting car in 15 degree weather. Subaru of America and rye Subaru had been informed of problem on prior occasion and rye Subaru was expecting car to come in for service for this problem. Drove car to rye Subaru. During driving gas fumes entered passenger compartment. Upon arrival at rye Subaru, dealership was not prepared to immediately deal with problem as service manager working on case had left town and had not left information behind relating to problem.

- Cos Cob, CT, USA