The 2001 Legacy GT with its EJ25 turbo is a fun platform but notorious for head gasket failures and oil consumption issues that often escalate to full rebuilds. Transmission cooler lines and mounts also require attention on high-mileage examples.
Head Gasket Failure (External Oil Leaks)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil seepage at cylinder head mating surface, Oil smell from engine bay, Low oil level between changes, Occasionally coolant mixing with oil (milky dipstick)
Fix: Replace both head gaskets with updated multi-layer steel (MLS) gaskets, resurface heads if warped, replace timing belt/water pump while in there. 12-16 labor hours typical.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,500
Piston Ringland Failure / Spun Bearings
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden loss of compression in one cylinder, Severe knock or rattle, Metal shavings in oil, White/blue smoke under boost, Check engine light with misfire codes
Fix: Usually requires short block replacement or full rebuild with new pistons, rings, bearings, and machining. Often follows detonation events or oil starvation. 18-25 labor hours for short block swap.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: ATF puddles under vehicle, Burnt transmission fluid smell, Low transmission fluid level, Slipping or delayed shifts if fluid level drops significantly
Fix: Replace corroded steel cooler lines running to front-mounted cooler. Lines rust through where they route near subframe. 2-3 labor hours plus fluid refill.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking on acceleration/deceleration, Excessive driveline vibration, Visible torn rubber or separated mount, Shifter feels loose or vague
Symptoms: Turbo whine or squealing, Loss of boost pressure, Blue smoke from exhaust, Turbo failure if left unaddressed
Fix: The banjo bolt filters at turbo oil feed clog with sludge, starving turbo of oil. Clean or replace banjo bolts and screens, replace oil feed line, inspect turbo for damage. If turbo damaged, add 4-6 hours and $800-1,500 for turbo replacement. Preventive cleaning is 1-2 hours.
Estimated cost: $200-2,000
Fuel Filter Clogging (In-Tank Pump Strainer)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 150,000+ mi
Symptoms: Hard starting when hot, Loss of power under boost, Stumbling or surging at highway speed, Fuel pump whine
Symptoms: No-start condition, Stalling while driving, Intermittent crank/no-start, Check engine light with crank sensor code P0335
Fix: Sensor located behind timing cover fails due to heat. Replace sensor; if accessible without timing cover removal, 1 hour. If timing cover must come off, 3-4 hours.
Estimated cost: $150-500
Owner tips
Change oil every 3,500-4,000 miles with quality synthetic to minimize sludge buildup and extend turbo life
Inspect turbo oil feed banjo bolt screens every 30,000 miles — this is cheap insurance against catastrophic turbo failure
Use OEM or Subaru-approved coolant conditioner to help prevent head gasket deterioration
If buying used, compression and leak-down test are non-negotiable — ringland failures often lurk with no external symptoms
Budget $3,000-5,000 for eventual engine work; factor this into purchase price
Buy only if you're handy or have a trusted Subaru specialist nearby, and the price reflects inevitable engine work — otherwise walk away.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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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 aftermarket applications on or after July 26, 2013, and may may leak fuel from the base of a fuel line connection when the gas tank is full.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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 recall is expected to begin during January 2014. This recall is being conducted by Airtex, not by Subaru.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES · 04V128000
2004-03-16
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 RELEASED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AND WILL REMAIN IN AN OPEN POSITION.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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 ITS TRACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
SUSPENSION:REAR · 03V153000
2003-04-22
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 02V282000
2002-10-30
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "P" (PARK) POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM, THAT IS INTENDED TO HOLD YOUR VEHICLE, MAY NOT ENGAGE.
Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION JANUARY 8, 2003. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT DURING NOVEMBER 2002. 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.
SEATS · 01V034000
2001-02-07
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUALLY-ADJUSTABLE (NON-POWERED) SEATS. CERTAIN INNER FRONT SLIDE RAIL LATCH MECHANISMS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED.
Consequence: IF AN INNER SLIDE RAIL LATCH MECHANISM BREAKS DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING, FORWARD AND REARWARD SEAT ADJUSTMENT WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SLIDE RAILS COULD BREAK, EXPOSING THE OCCUPANT TO A RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH FRONT SEAT INNER SLIDE RAILS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 30, 2001. 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.
STEERING:LINKAGES · 00V391000
2000-11-21
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A CASTING FLAW IN THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING HOUSING COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING IF THE CASTING FLAW SHOULD EXIST IN THE TIE-ROD ARM.
Consequence: THIS CASTING FLAW COULD CAUSE GREASE LEAKAGE, FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE DUE TO LOSS OF GREASE, OR LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO TIE-ROD END SEPARATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FRONT BEARING HOUSINGS WITH A LOT NUMBER OF OF15.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER · 00V392000
2000-11-21
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INCORRECT BEIGE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS INSTALLED. THE BELT LENGTH IS TOO SHORT.
Consequence: THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL BEIGE COLORED REAR CENTER LAP/SHOULDER BELTS WITH LOT NUMBER 0171.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 00V393000
2000-11-21
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE OF UNDER-HOOD FUEL HOSES AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (-40 DEGREES C) ONCE THE FUEL HOSES AGE AND BECOME LESS FLEXIBLE.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR UNDER-HOOD FUEL HOSES WITH LOT NUMBERS 0804 AND 0806 AND ALL FUEL HOSES WITH THOSE NUMBERS WILL BE REPLACED.
Performance
Horsepower
165hp
Torque
162lb-ft
0–60 mph
7.8sec
Quarter mile
15.9sec
Top speed
130mph
Capability & size
Towing capacity
2,000lb
Payload
850lb
Curb weight
3,305lb
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2001 Subaru Legacy GT 2.5L H4 Turbo and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.