2000 Subaru Outback — Known Issues & Recalls

Your 2000 Subaru Outback may develop a strong fuel smell inside the cabin during cold weather (around 30°F and below), forcing you to drive with windows open until the smell clears. A dealer identified the likely cause as deteriorated fuel lines and fittings on the top right side of the engine that need replacement. The repair typically costs around $200 or slightly more and involves replacing the fuel lines and screw clamps.

When it's cold outside and you have your climate control set to fresh air, gasoline smell enters your car's cabin. This appears to be caused by a fuel line leak that only happens during cold weather. The repair will likely involve inspecting and replacing the affected fuel line or seals that become brittle or crack in freezing temperatures.

You noticed a gas smell inside your car in September 2013. Your dealer replaced the fuel pump gasket, then the fuel pump itself in October, and replaced the fuel pump again in November — but the gas smell persists, though it's weaker. The underlying cause of the persistent odor needs to be identified and addressed, which may involve inspecting the fuel system components for leaks or damage.

Your car's subframe has rusted through to the point where it can't be repaired, even though Subaru performed recall work that was supposed to include undercoating to prevent this damage. Your mechanic notes the rust is concentrated only where the recall work was done, suggesting the undercoating may not have been applied properly. If the subframe fails, it could compromise your vehicle's structural integrity and safety.

You noticed a burned rubber smell and noise coming from the left rear wheel area. The suspension subframe cracked, which caused the left rear tire to rub against the wheel well and wear down. Your mechanic said Subaru wouldn't cover this as a recall, and Subaru confirmed there's no recall on record for your vehicle's VIN number. Fixing this will likely require replacing the suspension subframe and possibly the rear tire.

While driving at 60 mph, you heard an unusually loud engine noise and the car wouldn't accelerate. When you pulled over to check, you discovered a fire under the hood that spread to both front tires, causing them to explode. The vehicle caught fire, likely due to an engine-related issue that will require professional diagnosis to identify the specific cause.

Your car needed cylinder head gaskets replaced at 81,098 miles, and later required a rebuilt transmission at 83,695 miles after the transmission began taking several seconds to shift from reverse to drive—a delay that concerned you as a safety issue. Both repairs occurred outside the warranty period despite relatively low mileage. The transmission work may involve inspecting and rebuilding or replacing the transmission assembly to restore normal shifting performance.

Your rear sub-frame is corroded and deteriorating, causing it to shift while you drive. You hear loud banging noises when starting, stopping, and driving as the weakened sub-frame moves around. The sub-frame may need to be replaced or welded to restore structural integrity and eliminate the noise.

Your 2000 Subaru Outback had a rear suspension recall performed, but after the repair, an independent mechanic discovered the rear subframe assembly was severely corroded at 117,000 miles. Corrosion of this structural component can weaken the suspension system over time. You may want to have a dealer inspect the rear subframe to assess whether additional repairs or replacement are needed.

Your car's rear sub-frame has rusted through in multiple places and broke loose while you were driving at highway speed, creating a serious safety hazard. There was a recall issued in 2003 for this issue, but your car was never repaired before you bought it. The dealership says they'll cover the part cost but are charging $800 in labor fees to fix it.

While driving at low speed, your check engine light came on and you noticed a gas smell. A mechanic found multiple simultaneous failures: a damaged fuel line spraying gasoline into the engine compartment, a failed A/C compressor, a failed catalytic converter, and a burnt-out headlight bulb. The fuel line and bulb were replaced, but the mechanics had no clear explanation for why all these parts failed at once.

While stopped at a red light, your car suddenly accelerated on its own even though you had your foot on the brake and not the gas. The engine RPMs climbed very high and the car kept lurching forward despite your braking efforts. You managed to shift into neutral and park, then turn off the engine to stop the acceleration. When your stepfather restarted the car in park, it accelerated again briefly before returning to normal.

While driving at 50 mph over a bump in snowy conditions, your car suddenly jerked and swerved, nearly causing you to lose control. The rear sub-frame had rusted through and broken, allowing the rear differential to shift upward and strike the fuel tank. Although Subaru issued a recall for this sub-frame rust issue and your vehicle was serviced in 2003, the repair (cleaning and anti-corrosion coating) proved insufficient—the sub-frame has now failed completely, making the car undrivable. Fixing this will require replacing the entire rear sub-frame and inspecting the differential and fuel tank for damage.

Your driver's side headlight stopped working, and despite checking the fuse and bulb, replacing the bulb didn't help. The next day, the other headlight also failed, and when your son jiggled the bulb socket and wires, the lights temporarily came back on but then the high beam went out. Your low beams now appear very dim and yellowish, making nighttime driving unsafe. The problem seems to involve a loose or corroded bulb socket, poor grounding, or faulty wiring, as temporary fixes only last briefly.

Your mechanic found significant rust on the rear cradle (the metal frame component supporting your rear suspension and drivetrain) and advised against carrying heavy loads due to the corrosion. You discovered there was a recall issued in 2003 for inadequate rustproofing on this part, but you never received notice of it. Addressing this rust may require having the rear cradle cleaned, treated, or potentially replaced depending on the extent of corrosion.

Your vehicle's rear subframe has suffered severe corrosion and required replacement. The owner notes that a 2003 recall for this part was insufficient—simply undercoating the subframe didn't prevent it from rusting away. They're requesting a more comprehensive recall that addresses the root corrosion problem rather than just applying a protective coating.

Your car stopped at a red light, and when the light turned green, the transmission wouldn't engage into forward gears, leaving you unable to move. This appears to be a known issue with your model that requires an expensive repair. The transmission may need professional service to diagnose and fix the engagement problem.

While driving on the freeway at normal speeds, your car's electrical system randomly shut off and turned back on multiple times before you could pull over safely. The engine kept running, but all the electrical power cut out temporarily. This appears to be a known issue for this model year.

After normal driving, you noticed coolant and burnt oil smells in your garage. Your mechanic diagnosed a failed head gasket and a leaking rear oil seal, requiring replacement of both head gaskets, a complete valve job, and a new seal. The repair cost $2,954.50 and included preventative replacement of the timing belt and clutch. A head gasket failure can be especially dangerous if it occurs during off-road travel in remote areas.

Your car produces a strong fuel smell when it's very cold (25°F or below), and the smell gets worse as temperatures drop. The smell goes away after you've been driving for a while. Even after a mechanic rebuilt your engine, the fuel smell persists during cold weather starts. A repair may require inspection and replacement of fuel system seals, gaskets, or injector components that fail in freezing temperatures.