2001 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews

Was a great deer hunter

Written by: Kirk on 10/13/2008

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Outback Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

We got the outback limited with 115000 miles on it. The only items I replaced were the wires and an alternator which was very simple to replace. The one thing that drove me nuts was the seat heater buttons. I was always turning them on, bad placement. I lost the car when a deer ran in front of me. I was going 75 mph and the car stayed straight as an arrow. The car was totaled by the insurance co. My wife and I did not get even a scratch. So we bought another 2001 outback with 68k on it. I hope to get 250000 k on this one. I still have to put up with that seat heater button.

Favorite Features

The great way the car just keeps running, kinda like that bunny.

Suggested Improvements

Move the seat heater buttons.

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Expensive Major Repairs

Written by: jeff on 09/01/2008

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Hidden recalls of clutch and head gaskets. (Done on warranty.) Second clutch and flywheel replacement after only another 30,000 miles. Independent mechanic thinks the clutch flywheel fittings and housing are not meant for this engine. Catalytic converter needed replacement. Oxygen sensor and idle needed replacement. Brake rotors needed work early on. Front bushing replacements. Maybe I just got a lemon.

Favorite Features

Plows through 6-8 inches of snow with no problem. Hauls any size load. Heated windshield wiper area on dash helpful in winter.

Suggested Improvements

Don't hide the recalls until the problem occurs (we were stranded with the blown head gasket, when it could have been replaced beforehand). Redesign the clutch and flywheel assembly. Fix the engine idle and lack of engine smoothness problem.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Has Been Great - Time to Move On

Written by: Sitruk on 08/30/2008

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Yes, this car has been wonderful to drive, however I have struggled with the maintenance end of the car/owner relationship. Since my purchase in March, 2003, I have averaged 9 cents/mi in maint costs since this car came 'into the word' - highlighted by a head gasket replacement in 2005 ($2200) (might as well also do the timing belt at the same time!) Also, I am now after increased fuel economy based on my daily commute, thus feel it is time to part ways.

Favorite Features

Sporty-ness, roominess, storage capacity, maintains 'styling' even though now 8 yrs old (Thank- you 'Subbie!).

Suggested Improvements

I had wished the front bumper was a little more resistant to rocks.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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I finally found a car, I can trust !!

Written by: Marge Jesberger on 08/19/2008

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

My daughter wanted to buy my 2001 Subaru. I told her "over my dead body" and I meant it literally. I have had my share of unreliable transportation over the years, one car's transmission even gave up, when we were driving it out of a showroom. When we went looking for a new car (this car was a demo so it was practically new), my husband (who takes care of our finances) almost didn't buy it. The salesman wasn't ready to budge another 100 dollars off. If we would have walked away from this car, I would have been heart broken. It is now 2008 and I think it has been in the garage maybe 4 times. I can depend on it day after day to get me to work, shopping, wherever. I will never take it for granted.

Favorite Features

The fold down seat in the back. I go to flea markets and I sell baskets at craft fairs, I can fit them all in. Keep doing what you are doing Subaru. I stop and ask people if they like their outbacks. So far, everyone raves about how many miles they have on them.

Suggested Improvements

None.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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120k and still a great car

Written by: Larry on 07/28/2008

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

We now have 120k on our Suby. Yes, we had to replace head gaskets at 100k miles. And we had a fuel pump go at 105k, but since then our car has been bullet proof, as it was before these problems. It is regularly used to go up into the mountains and for a brief period I towed a trailer and go kart with it. This is my wife's car and while I would appreciate better gear ratio and spacing, she loves driving it. Seven years old and still going strong. My fourth Suby and not my last.

Favorite Features

Utility, cargo space, interior and back seat comfort.

Suggested Improvements

Better gearing to take more advantage of the 6 cylinder motor.

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Best car I've owned!

Written by: kk on 05/03/2008

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Outback Limited AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

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 I'll purchase another.

Favorite Features

The AWD! I saw people hydroplaning in rain and spinning their tires in the snow as I drove right by them! I also adore the windshield wiper heaters!

Suggested Improvements

The back seat could use a 60/40 split, I always wanted that and didn't use the pass through much.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Excellent all-around car

Written by: surfinbird on 01/03/2008

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Wonderful car. The boxer 4 has a unique sound and feel. It's a bit thirsty - the best mileage I've gotten is 28 mpg. Build quality is first rate. Suspension is soft enough for comfortable distance driving but firm enough for the twisties. Seats are very comfortable. After all these years that car still cleans up and looks like new. The all wheel drive is very comforting on long trips in poor weather. This is a car that car be driven long distances in great comfort, I've covered 800 miles per day on many occasions.

Favorite Features

The build quality is outstanding. It's really fun to drive for a medium size wagon. Lots of room for hauling stuff.

Suggested Improvements

I really wanted the H6 with a manual transmission but settled for the H4. They made the same mistake with the SVX model back in the 90s. I don't know why Subaru can't offer manuals in all their cars, BMW does it.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Mixed review

Written by: paul on 10/17/2007

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Outback Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

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 wouldn't start. Bad fuel injectors. Within two months, bad brake rotors. Driver's door has never closed correctly without slamming it. New clutch within 24K miles... told Subaru clutches don't 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. We're done with Subaru.

Favorite Features

AWD, heated seats, weather band radio.

Suggested Improvements

See above for list of problems.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great Car

Written by: Len on 07/17/2007

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Other than a very poor heated seat button location the car is great. This car when new would be overpriced but used is a great value.

Favorite Features

4 wheel drive.

Suggested Improvements

Heated seat buttons. Dash cup holder poor location. No fade out interior lighting.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Expensive repair, lousy mpg

Written by: Pdx Ower on 06/13/2007

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

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.

Favorite Features

The safety features. The power to easily pass others at highway speeds. The sound system. The AWD control.

Suggested Improvements

Larger cup holders. Sturdier cup holder for back seat.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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