2001 Subaru Legacy — 2.5L

The 2001 model year represents a transitional point in the Legacy's second generation, and the data presents a mixed picture. Consumer complaints actually declined to 81—down from 103 in 2000 and significantly below the mid-1990s peak of 216—indicating owners were reporting fewer issues than in prior years. However, manufacturer action tells a different story: recalls doubled from 4 in 2000 to 8 in 2001, and TSBs surged from 93 to 155, suggesting Subaru was addressing emerging problems through official channels even as formal complaints dropped. The 2001 complaint profile shows fuel system issues (14), vehicle speed control (9), and engine/cooling problems (8) as top concerns, with 12 crash-related complaints and 2 fire complaints recorded. Notably, 2003 would later see a sharp escalation with 15 recalls and 2 investigations, suggesting the early 2000s Legacy generation faced cumulative engineering challenges that Subaru addressed progressively. The 2001 model sits in a relative sweet spot with low complaint volume but heightened manufacturer scrutiny—it was clearly a year Subaru was actively servicing. A pre-purchase inspection should verify that the fuel system and speed control recalls/TSBs have been addressed, and the vehicle history should be checked for open recalls before buying.