Overview & Reviews

Two new models, the H6-3.0 L.L.Bean Edition and the H6-3.0 VDC, both featuring a more-powerful 3.0-liter engine, join the happy Outback family.

• The security of all-wheel drive, comfortable on pavement, capable on dirt, well-appointed interior.

• Questionable exterior styling, still not an SUV in terms of pure off-road capability.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 99.00

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  Disappointed - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By DRPIV - December 7 - 2:00 am

  decent vehicle, do not expect too much. poor clutch, shuttering breaks, underpowered (significantly at low rpms, can barely climb steep grades), squeaks, squeals from day one. fine highway vehicle once rolling, smooth, strong enough once engine is revving.

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  Stick Shift Problems - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By sewerwitch - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Limited Wagon has lots of room and a great auto to drive on Vermont ski trips. But - we had to replace the clutch at 28000 miles and again at 52000 miles. At first we thought it was my wifes driving (but she had driven stick shift cars for many years)now we think it is a design flaw. Plus when reving the engine to drive up an incline a horrible smell would enter the cabin. A transmission seal leak??

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  Buyer Beware! - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By Adams - May 9 - 6:26 pm

  We spent $15k on a used Outback two years ago. The thought was to pay more up front and spend less on maintenance. Wrong! We just spent $4k in the last two weeks on repairs: $1500 for a new clutch and $2400 to replace the head gaskets (the car has 88,000 miles). As well as $300 in towing fees because it died in a remote spot. The car is now worth about $7k according to KBB, so all in all weve probably spent $20k on a car that didnt even make it to a 100,000 miles without over $5k in maintenance costs. Ive owned many other, lower-cost vehicles that ran much stronger and longer than the Outback. I would not recommend Subaru products to anyone.

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  Descent, not great - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By talldude - February 26 - 4:06 am

  A solid performer in snow and enough backseat room for child seats, the 2 main reasons we bought this. We bought private party, single owner with receipts. The previous owners had to buy head gaskets (80k) and a 5 spd transmission overhaul at 110k; shortly after purchase (at 114k) I had to replace front wheel bearings, and shortly after that the clutch started to chatter (had been replaced at 80k). High wind noise at highway speeds. The car is too heavy and the engine works too hard most of the time. With the exception of excellent traction control, this is a very average car in all other respects. I wish Subie would build small light AWD cars again, thats what they do best.

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  the best but still junk - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By pavel - February 17 - 10:00 am

  There are very few wagons in the market, even fewer are imports, available with manual transmission and have 4 wheel drive. Only two are affordable - Outback and Legacy. Therefore, Outback is obviously the best and at the same time the second worst in its class. Problems: - very low torque at low RPM - the flip side of inflated max power at high RPM. They are fixing the numbers at the expense of actual performance. - clutch glazes in no time - very poor material and design - interior material is poor - mexican assembly and even some part manufacturing

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  2001 Outback -lots of time in shop - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By Olympia - January 7 - 11:36 pm

  Started off with a burning smell, at purchase (new). Months later, found an oil leak, but no help from dealer. Have gotten regular service w/ trusted mechanic. Head gaskets replaced. Front light replaced - out of order w/in a month. Problems with rotors - smoothed many times, replaced more than wed like. Sigh. This car has not been worth the hassle and we wont buy another Subaru.

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  snow job - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By yardshark - October 24 - 5:00 pm

  I was totally "snowed" by Subaru and others who have owned Subarus. "Oh, theyre so reliable I have 2 of them". "Theyre bullet-proof". So I bought a new 2001 Outback sedan for the "reliability" and the AWD for snowy weather. At just over 50,000 miles, one head gasket blew and while testing the system, they found the second one ready to go and had to replace it too. The repairman told me I wouldnt have the problem again when I told him I would not buy another if this was going to be a problem every 50,000 miles. Now at 120,000 miles, the head gaskets have once again gone out. This will be the third set of gaskets for something "bullet-proof" and "extremely reliable".

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  Big mistake buying this 2001 Subaru L.L. Bean Edition - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By louisville1 - July 5 - 3:13 am

  Nothing but problems with this car and expensive to fix. I wish I had never seen it for sale just a year ago when we paid $7,000 and have added another $4,000 in repairs. Engine lights, overheating, noises, bearings, misfiring, and on and on. It was over heating and the repair shop installed a new radiator for $500 and then two days later the car over heats and blew out the head gaskets. Were selling this as JUNK, which is what it is. We were always Toyota people but shifted to Subaru when Toyota put profits ahead of customer safety and screwed their customers. Now what do we do?

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  Mixed review - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By paul - May 21 - 3:00 pm

  While this car is great in snow and rock solid in a driving rain it has been a maintenance nightmare. We think it was built late on a Friday afternoon. Within hours of taking delivery the car wouldnt start. Bad fuel injectors. Within two months, bad brake rotors. Drivers door has never closed correctly without slamming it. New clutch within 24K miles... told Subaru clutches dont last long (wife asked if we they could install a Honda clutch instead - our accord clutch lasted until 75K....). Another new clutch at 45K. Blown tranny at 102K and now blown head gasket at 105K. Were done with Subaru.

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  JUMP START a Subaru and destroy the VDC - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By city - June 12 - 2:00 am

  The battery went down on our top of the line Subaru with VDC. It was jump started by Subaru Road Service. The warning lights remained on after it was jumped. Waited for our 1/22/04 appointment with dealer. At first service said we were warranty "lucky" because the VDC computer part cost $1,200. It was replaced. Car not returned as promised. More parts needed. Its now 1/29/04. Again car not returned as promised. Negotiated 4 days Hyundai rental for previously plan trip. Service now says repair not covered under warranty because of "outside influence". Western regional manager concurred. Filed with the State. Car sent to other dealer. Returned 2/14/04.