Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Subaru Legacy, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | 17 | 17% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 13% |
| Power train | 11 | 11% |
| Suspension | 10 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 4% |
| Structure | 4 | 4% |
| Air bags | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A STATE INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SHOWED SEVERE RUST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURE, THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNO
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EX
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A CONTINENTAL EXTREME CONTACT TIRE, SIZE: 205/55R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE SUSTAINED A BLOW OUT. TH
NHTSA complaint: Tires
CAR SLID ON BLACK ICE OFF THE ROAD, DOWN A VERY STEEP EMBANKMENT, INTO THE SIDE OF A BUILDING, AND TOTALED THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
DRIVING TO WORK CAR RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MIN. THE WINDOW CONTROL SWITCH INSIDE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SMOKED AND QUICKLY CAUGHT FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND TURNED OFF
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A VERY POWERFUL FUEL SMELL EMITTING FROM THE AREAS OF THE ENGINE. WHEN I POP THE HOOD THE SMELL IS THE STRONGEST. THE SMELL IS OF RAW GASOLINE (NOT EXHAUST OR ANYTHING OF THAT SORT) AND PERMEATES
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION), BU
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2000 Subaru Legacy. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 and Legacy's. The affected fuel pumps were sold or installed into the aftermark
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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 recall is expected to
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
Risk: IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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
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.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOOSENING OF THE BRACKET AND SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION OF THE TRANSVERSE LINK FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME.
Fix: 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 RE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LEFT-SIDE STEERING KNUCKLE ARM WAS INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE LEFT SIDE TIE-ROD END CASTLE NUT AND INSTALL A NEW COTTER PIN.
| Reliability raw | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 72 | good |
| Performance | 60 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and tires is the most reported area with 17 of them (17%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.