2001 Subaru Legacy L 2.5L from North America

Summary:

Good car except for a major defect

Faults:

Clutch replaced before 20,000 miles.

Both head gaskets failed at 92,000 miles. Subaru agreed to replace at no cost, even though their extra "good-will" extended repair offer had just expired.

General Comments:

All-wheel drive is big advantage - rarely need chains for snow.

Mediocre mileage for a mid-size car. Gets about 23 mpg on the freeway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th July, 2009

2001 Subaru Legacy LX from North America

Summary:

Very bad

Faults:

Head gasket issues.

General Comments:

This is my second, and I am sad to say last Subaru. The first car's head gasket blew at 150k and I thought oh well, I did not have a lot of maintenance expenses prior to that so I went and got another. Big mistake. This one is at 97000 and I am having failure of the left head gasket.

So I bring it in and the dealer says there is not an external leak, so I am not covered under the warranty. Huh? They say oil is leaking out of it and not antifreeze, but where is my antifreeze going?

I really do not trust Subaru any longer. I feel like the dealer is giving me the run around. The cost is crazy and they are only offering to replace one side for $1245 at a minimum. If there is a class action lawsuit please contact lslcummings@yahoo.com.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th February, 2009

29th Mar 2009, 08:55

I have a 2001 Legacy with 78K miles and the left head gasket just failed. I replaced both for $1000 and am really disappointed with my Subaru. I thought that kind of failure would not occur so early in mileage.

I would like to try another one when this one dies, but am not confident in Subaru anymore.

10th Jul 2009, 15:45

My Legacy wagon blew both head gaskets at 92,000 miles. Dealer told me the "good will repair program" that they instituted to address this issue expired a few weeks earlier, but they made my case to their management and will pay for the repair. I had to prove that I had maintained the car per schedule - luckily I had records for all of my maintenance visits.

It has been a good, reliable car until now (except clutch chatter) but I'm not sure I would buy another one due to these serious defects.

2001 Subaru Legacy GT LTD 2.5 Ltr from North America

Summary:

Flower pot's work better

Faults:

Since I've had the car, I've lost my brakes, well, let's say the pedal froze. I couldn't push it in at all, drove right through a busy intersection because I couldn't stop. Then, 2 weeks after it was "fixed" I figured out where the emergency brake was quicker than the first time.

Then, this past January, the head gasket had to be replaced, yeah, at 70,000 miles. Not bad though. They only did the left side (for those of you with the know, there's a left AND a right side head gasket). So, now, the left head gasket blew almost 200 miles from home, with my family in the car, and the engine completely broke down. According to the dealer, it wasn't the head gasket that failed. Funny though, it had ALL of the symptoms of a failed head gasket according to 4 mechanics, including one of their own.

So, now I own a 2001 flower pot (it has a sunroof, it's OK... he he he) and the dealer is saying it's not their fault. Funny, I thought that if the head gasket went, there was a warranty of 12 months or 12,000 miles. I barely made around 6000 miles and can't even move the car.

Well, if anyone else knows of this problem, let me know. I can't afford a new car, PLUS the remaining $9000 for this or even a $4000 engine (used mind you, from the same dealer even).

General Comments:

Has power issues (from the head gasket)

Interior feels a little cramped, but the seats are comfortable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th July, 2008

19th Aug 2010, 14:35

Get a different mechanic. Monkey's can figure out how to work on Subes. If your dealership can't get this thing fixed, your dealership may be staffed by lower life forms, and I wouldn't want them under MY car, let alone yours.

A new engine for your car can be had for under 1k on ebay, all day long, with a warranty.

The 2.5s can be head gasket monsters, so keep an eye on the temp. Also on the timing belts and cooling system in general. These cars will go a long long time if you watch the gremlins.

I've had 6 or 7 Subys, and I would buy another in a heart beat.