Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2000 Subaru Legacy: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2000 Subaru Legacy, most recently filed April 2003. Owners have filed 94 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the tires.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2000 Subaru Legacy. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2000 Subaru Legacy. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 03V153000 Filed Apr 22, 2003

SUBARU/REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME CORROSION

Suspension · rear
Official NHTSA text
Summary
THIS RECALL APPLIES TO CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. CERTAIN REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME COMPONENTS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE ROAD SALTS FOR A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS, COULD RESULT IN RUST-OUT OF THE COMPONENT AND POSSIBLE BREAKAGE OF THE SUBFRAME.
Consequence
IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL CLEAN AND RUST-PROOF THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Repair progress not yet reported170,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 03V153000
Listed for 2000 Subaru Legacy. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 00V091000 Filed Mar 24, 2000

SUBARU/STEERING KNUCKLE ARM

Steering · linkages · tie rod assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LEFT-SIDE STEERING KNUCKLE ARM WAS INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE LEFT SIDE TIE-ROD END CASTLE NUT AND INSTALL A NEW COTTER PIN.
Repair progress not yet reported129 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V091000
Listed for 2000 Subaru Legacy. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 99V249000 Filed Sep 17, 1999

SUBARU/TRANSVERSE LINK BRACKET BOLT

Power train · driveline · center support bearing
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN L MODEL PASSENGER VEHICLES. ANTI-RUST COATING WAS INCORRECTLY APPLIED TO THE TRANSVERSE LINK MOUNTING SURFACE OF THE VEHICLE BODY. OVER TIME THE COATING SHRINKS, CAUSING A TORQUE DECREASE OF THE BOLT THAT SECURES THE TRANSVERSE LINK BRACKET TO THE VEHICLE BODY.
Consequence
THIS CAN RESULT IN LOOSENING OF THE BRACKET AND SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION OF THE TRANSVERSE LINK FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REMOVE THE ANTI-RUST COATING UNDER THE MOUNTING LOCATION OF THE LEFT TRANSVERVE LINK MOUNTING BRACKET BOLT AND RETORQUE THE MOUNTING BOLT TO THE REQUIRED TORQUE.
Repair progress not yet reported13 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 99V249000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (94)

94 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The tires is mentioned most often.

8involved a crash
2involved a fire
3injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Subaru Legacy, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 94.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2000 compares with other Legacy years

Best and worst Legacy years →
1996199719981999200020012002200320042005
This year (2000)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined

21
mpg combined
19
city
25
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,200
CO₂ tailpipe
423 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$3,110per year
$259per month
714gallons a year

Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2000 Subaru Legacy configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.5 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive19 / 25 / 21$3,200423
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive19 / 25 / 21$3,200423
2.5 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive19 / 25 / 21$3,200423
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive19 / 25 / 21$3,200423

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2000 Legacy for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Legacy years

Where to next

2000 Subaru Legacy FAQ

How many recalls does the 2000 Subaru Legacy have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 03V153000 (suspension), 00V091000 (steering), 99V249000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2000 Subaru Legacy problems?

Owners filed 94 complaints with NHTSA. Tires (17), Engine and engine cooling (16), Power train (14) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2000 Subaru Legacy get?

EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 19 city, 25 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2000 Legacy compare with other years?

Among the 1996–2005 Subaru Legacy model years at least five years old, the 2004 drew the fewest complaints (49) and the 2005 the most (184). The 2000 drew 94. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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