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2001 Subaru Outback Sport

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Outback Sport.

The 2001 Subaru Outback Sport is a rugged crossover built on Subaru’s well‑regarded platform, featuring a dependable four‑cylinder engine that requires 4.2 quarts of 5W‑30 API‑approved oil for optimal lubrication. In the realm of owner feedback, this model year recorded 170 complaints, with the most frequent issues centered on the fuel system and gasoline delivery, while the manufacturer issued four recalls addressing related safety concerns. These figures place the 2001 Outback Sport toward the lower end of its generation’s reliability spectrum, signaling that owners should remain vigilant about fuel‑system maintenance but can still rely on the vehicle’s solid build quality for everyday use.

Model year2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque58-72 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 360 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 360 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	172.4 in
Overall width	67.3 in
Overall height	59.1 in
Wheelbase	99.2 in
Curb weight	2859 lb
Track (front / rear)	57.5 / 57.5 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 58-72 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.7 Pints
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	33 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	33 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	87-101 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	123-137 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	53 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	53 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	58-72 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	137 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	137 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 650, AT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	0.6-0.8 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	10,880-14,720 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.66-.80 ohms

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	0.99-1.50 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	4.90 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	360 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	520 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance	5-20 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	5-20 ohms
Engine Compression	156-185 psi
Engine Compression	148-185 psi
Engine Oil Pressure	14 psi @ 600-700 rpm, 43 psi @ 5000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash	0.008 in
Exhaust Valve Lash	0.010 in

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	58 ft-lbs / 24-31 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	58 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.295; Rear: 0.256 specification
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0029 in / 0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.394 in / 0.945 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.394 in / 0.945 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	51 ft. lbs.	51 ft. lbs
3	Loosen 180 degrees.	180 degrees
4	Loosen 180 degrees.	180 degrees
5	Bolts 1-2	25 ft. lbs
6	Bolts 3-6	11 ft. lbs
7	90 degrees.	90 degrees
8	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

At 3,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 30,000 mi	Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 105,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2001 Subaru Outback Sport top in one area — the fuel system, gasoline, 23 of 170 reports (14%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the fuel system, gasoline are also the target of recall 13E-065 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 16 of the reports describe a crash and 4 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the fuel system, gasoline pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

120

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

170

Owner complaints

16 involved a crash · 4 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 170 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline23

Service Brakes, Hydraulic22

Power Train22

Engine & Engine Cooling14

Vehicle Speed Control13

Suspension11

Tires9

Suspension,Structure7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

13E065000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 29/11/2013

Airtex Products LP (Airtex) is recalling certain model E8598M, E8518M, E8600M, E8596M, and E8597M fuel pumps manufactured July 26, 2013, and July 29, 2013 and used as aftermarket replacements on Subaru Baja's, Outback's… Remedy: Airtex will notify owners, and will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Recall is expected to begin on January 2, 2014. Customers may contact Airtex at 1-800-880-3056. The…

04V128000Vehicle Speed Control:CablesReported 16/03/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AND LODGE ON THE CONTROL LEVER TAB WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER TAB ON THE THROTTLE SHAFT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM COMING OUT OF…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 120 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
Subaru Tech Tips (Article	2025-11-20	Unknown Or Other	Subaru service article locator.
Subaru Tech Tips (Article	2025-11-20	Unknown Or Other	Subaru service article locator.
15-130-08R	2025-10-29	Unknown Or Other	This bulletin provides information on the load carrying capacity reduced label when a…
15-308-23R	2025-10-28	Electrical System	This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing…
Subaru Tech Tips (Article	2025-10-28	Unknown Or Other	Subaru tech tips newsletter article locator.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Outback Sport. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 35 battery Vehicles taking 4.2 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2001 Outback Sport take?

4.2 qt of 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2001 Outback Sport have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.