Subaru›Outback›2000›Overview/subaru/outback/2000/base/

2000 Subaru Outback

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2000 Outback.

The 2000 Subaru Outback is a model-year entry in the Outback lineup, with an engine-oil capacity of 4.2 quarts and a specified 5W-30 API viscosity. Across owner-reported data covering 1995 through 2026, this year accumulated 215 total complaints, led by power-train issues and accompanied by two recalls. That complaint volume is comparatively low within the broader Outback history—well below later peaks such as the 2019 model’s 1,029 complaints—so the 2000 Outback generally sits on the lower-risk end of the model’s reliability spectrum.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182000

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

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 490 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 · 490 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length172.4 in
Overall width67.3 in
Overall height59.1 in
Wheelbase99.2 in
Curb weight2859 lb
Track (front / rear)57.5 / 57.5 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Outback of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.3–8.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.30 sec — 2001 H6-3.0 VDC
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001H6-3.0 VDC 3.0L F-68.30 sec16.30 sec212 hpAWD
2001H6-3.0 VDC 3.0L F-68.80 sec16.60 sec212 hpAWD
2001H6-3.0 VDC 3.0L F-68.80 sec16.80 sec212 hpAWD

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 · 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. 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 FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.6 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid80W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings33 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts123-137 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.1 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22.4 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0-20.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 650, AT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.66-.80 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,880-14,720 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13-17 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.88-1.65 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity4.50-5.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance5-20 ohms
Engine Compression137-176 psi
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ 600-700 rpm, 43 psi @ 5000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.008 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.010 in

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.295; Rear: 0.256 specification
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .866
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0028; Rear: .0029
Maximum Drum DiameterFront: 9.079; Parking Brake: 6.732

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
5Bolts 1-225 ft. lbs
6Bolts 3-611 ft. lbs
780-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
880-90 degrees.80–90 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 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 9,300 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBody 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 miBrake 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 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 105,000 miAccessory 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.

From 1995 to 1999 complaints rose steadily from 2 to 112, while recalls fluctuated between 1 and 4. In the target year 2000 complaints jumped to 215, the highest in the 1995‑2004 window, and recalls were 2. After 2000 complaints declined to 170 in 2001 and 153 in 2002 before rising again later in the decade. Recall activity remained relatively low in 2000‑2002 (2‑4 recalls) compared with the later surge after 2003. Because the 2000 model sits at a complaint peak for its early generation and does not show a recall advantage, it may be less attractive than surrounding years unless other factors compensate.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
76
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
215
Owner complaints
18 involved a crash · 7 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 215 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train33
Tires32
Engine & Engine Cooling30
Suspension19
Vehicle Speed Control13
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10
Structure9
Seat Belts6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 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…

03V153000Suspension:RearReported 22/04/2003

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 76 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Announcement2024-11-13Electrical SystemThis annocement is to inform dealers to the Gen 3.1 Head Unit OTA will be available via…
15-130-08R2024-10-31Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin details an important regulation issued by the National Highway Traffic…
01-167-08R2024-10-01Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
15-298-22R2024-09-27Electrical SystemThis Service Information Bulletin announces the preferred practices to be used when…
01-167-08R2024-09-27EngineThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…

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. 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 batteryVehicles taking 4.2 qt

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2000 Outback take?

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

Does the 2000 Outback have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.