4 Star Reviews for 2001 Subaru Outback

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.21/5 Average
99 Total Reviews
This Year's Model Updates:

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.

Pros:
  • The security of all-wheel drive, comfortable on pavement, capable on dirt, well-appointed interior.
Cons:
  • Questionable exterior styling, still not an SUV in terms of pure off-road capability.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 99.00
  • Leaking oil but hasnt let me down (yet!) - 2001 Subaru Outback
    By -

    Bought my car at 139,000. Pretty much right after it was delivered to me I found out it had an oil leak. I found out its leaking from multiple places and a mechanic wont even touch it out of fear that Ill complain that they didnt fix it correctly the first time. The check engine light has since come on Ive gotten oil changes every 3000 miles and the check engine light has been on for about 12 thousand miles now. It still runs! Im not gonna fix the oil leaks or the check engine light. 155,000 miles on it now. Still running like a champ tho Im a little worried. I still love it!

  • A decent vehicle - 2001 Subaru Outback
    By -

    We have driven our OB for 45k miles now. My wife drives it to work in the High Sierras during bad weather conditons. We did have warped front disc brakes when we bought it. It took three different dealers before they corrected the problem. Otherwise, no problems to speak of. Oh yes, I tightened the intake carburator manifold housing with a hose clamp and improved the gas mileage by 4 mpg! It is a 4 cylinder. Yes, it is slow on pickup. But we werent looking for a racer. Just a safe, reliable, economical, all-weather vehicle. The only mechanical complaint I have to date is that the auto trans shift lever binds when shifting from park into gear.

  • A great car-that has some minor issues. - 2001 Subaru Outback
    By -

    Added hieght of the Outback is a plus, not as high as an SUV but only slightly lower than a minivans line-of-sight. Short skirted pistons can sometimes rap when cold but quiet down after warming up to operating temperature in this horizontally opposed 4 cyl. Expect low 20s for local driving MPG. Not bad considering AWD.

  • Wonderful as expected - 2001 Subaru Outback
    By -

    Though I have not owned this car very long, my mother drives a 2000 Outback Wagon that I fell in love with. The extras on the Limited model are very fun and feel solid. The 5-speed manual is smooth, but cruising at 65MPH just a little over 3000 RPMs is higher than my mothers auto. The AWD is amazing. I have never been stuck in any snow or ice. This past winter it climbed a rather steep icy brick hill with ease. A recent road trip put 1500 miles on it without a single grip from the car. I averaged 25MPG with a heavy load. I wish I was able to find an H6 model - the power is only adequate, but I prefer the manual transmission that isnt offered with the 6-cylinder anyway.

  • Expensive repair, lousy mpg - 2001 Subaru Outback
    By -

    Try 17-19 mpg in mixed driving even on non-ethanol gas which is only 6 months a year around here. I get 25 mpg on an open highway on cruise control on good gas. My experience has been tire blowout at 25K miles, an expensive fuel injector around 30k miles, the cargo area interior cover before 30k miles, the serpentine belt at 40k miles, and the very expensive leaking valve gasket at 50k miles. Altogether, I have experienced higher than usual repair incidence of very expensive repairs, and long before they are due for normal maintenance. There were two recall notices, also.

  • Great Car - 2001 Subaru Outback
    By -

    I have 60000 miles on my LL Bean Outback with the 3.0 6 cyc. Only problems were handled by the dealer. We had a wind noise which was corrected by glueing the molding around the windshield. The 6 cyl engine is more powerful than quick. Outback has the top end power that loafs at highway speeds of 70 to 80 or 90. I bought the LL Bean for the engine and the side airbags. Wish they would have been options on the base model. Car has a few blind spots. Only pet peeve happens when the passager lowers their sunvisor, it will hit the rearview mirror and the driver must readjust. I wish it was a larger single roof the opened for the driver.

  • Best car Ive owned! - 2001 Subaru Outback
    By -

    This is a fabulous car and has gotten me across the country 6 times in all sorts of weather, never letting me down. A recent outpouring of money to the head gaskets, radiator, water & fuel pump, altenator, timing belt, and thermastat has given me reserve on whether Ill purchase another.

  • Too expensive to maintain - 2001 Subaru Outback
    By -

    This car handles well, is fun to drive, and I feel it is safe to drive with the family aboard. But after three, yes THREE radiator replacements, 2 head gaskets and several costly sensor replacements, Im ready to be rid of this car. It has a computer "sensor" for seemingly everything, and Ive had to replace them all more than once, and of course, these sensors are never in easy-to-reach places in the engine compartment, so every time, Ive been totally reamed in the wallet. I just had the catalytic converter replaced as well, and like the other repairs for this car, it was very expensive. Seriously, I owned a Toyota for 10 years, and spent less than 1/4 the cost of repairs to it.

  • Head gasket on 4cyl. - 2001 Subaru Outback
    By -

    Im surprised that the last review is so old. At just under 100,000 miles, my head gasket blew. This appears to be a design flaw. I think Subaru should reimburse me $2400.

  • greatAWD - 2001 Subaru Outback
    By -

    Everything, and particularly the H6, is top notch. Strange ergonomics on it (probably due to Japanese RHD converted to NA LHD). Brakes sre noisy and vibrate too soon in their life. Id buy again though.

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