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2021 Subaru Outback

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Subaru Outback do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 207.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 61 of 296 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Forward Collision Avoidance. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

65 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

There are multiple issues at hand. The radio system continues to randomly power off and or not work and often times the entire eyesight system crashes and shuts off when driving at highway speeds disabling the cruise control. The screen has already been replaced once but the issue is still there.

NHTSA ODI #11432405

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Don't buy I regret buying it. Water leaks into the vehicle passenger side door. I got a loaner and the same issue water leaks into the vehicle

NHTSA ODI #11429659

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2021
StructureUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

During heavy rains, the vehicles leak water into the driver's side wheel well. Numerous times back to the dealer and the vehicle being piece by piece all seals are being replaced. As per numerous blogs on Subaru forums, an indication of a faulty windshield seal could be the issue, but the dealership refuses to replace or rese…

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During heavy rains, the vehicles leak water into the driver's side wheel well. Numerous times back to the dealer and the vehicle being piece by piece all seals are being replaced. As per numerous blogs on Subaru forums, an indication of a faulty windshield seal could be the issue, but the dealership refuses to replace or reset the windshield seal. Bought the car on June 28, 2021, and have been to the dealership 3 times for the same issue. The dealership is replacing seals on the skylight and door but as of yet no resolution. At the time of this complaint, the vehicle has been at dealership for 3 weeks with no resolution.

NHTSA ODI #11429133

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Windshield cracked at bottom base without any impact from something hitting it. In standstill traffic, all of a sudden we heard and saw a crack just appear! Then is spread rapidly straight up, then to both sides sides. So scary. This was about 4:45pm on 8/4/2021. We noticed next day it spread even more. Then a day later 8/6/2021…

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Windshield cracked at bottom base without any impact from something hitting it. In standstill traffic, all of a sudden we heard and saw a crack just appear! Then is spread rapidly straight up, then to both sides sides. So scary. This was about 4:45pm on 8/4/2021. We noticed next day it spread even more. Then a day later 8/6/2021 at 3:30pm traveling, the right side base of windshield cracked again! And spread quickly. So now there are two cracks! It is the oddest thing! Never experienced anything like this with any vehicle. This is an AVIS rental car. We will bring it to the Suburu dealership in West Palm Beach, FL when we get home early next week. This windshield is obviously defective.

NHTSA ODI #11428181

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Bought my 2021 outback June 16th. Last week my battery went dead in my driveway. Called customer care and they had to jump me. Yesterday morning it was dead in the driveway again. Again they had to come out and jump me. July 29th was the first time and august 4th was the second time. This is a brand new car!!

NHTSA ODI #11427874

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or Other

Automatic braking system activated abruptly and forcefully when a vehicle in the adjacent lane slowed down to make a turn. This has occurred numerous time both on the highway and in city driving. I have called Subaru to report the issue. They did not recommend taking it to a service center, although I plan to. The car otherwise …

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Automatic braking system activated abruptly and forcefully when a vehicle in the adjacent lane slowed down to make a turn. This has occurred numerous time both on the highway and in city driving. I have called Subaru to report the issue. They did not recommend taking it to a service center, although I plan to. The car otherwise has shown no warning of automatic braking malfunction prior to or after the incidents. However the automatic braking system has continued to malfunction. I now deactivate the automatic braking every time I start the car to avoid further incidents. Potentially related to the automatic braking malfunction, the car regularly alerts me to keep my eyes on the road while I have my eyes on the road. Common situations when this happens include when I scan an intersection on approach for potential hazards (e.g., pedestrians, people running red lights, etc.), fixing my glasses or hat while continuing to look straight ahead, and simply scratching my face all trigger the warning. Occasionally, the warning is activated for seemingly no reason. At best, it’s a nuisance; at worst it’s a distraction and a liability. I now deactivate this feature when I start my car.

NHTSA ODI #11425744

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2021
Unknown Or Other

My 2021 Outback windshield just cracked. My 2020 Outback did the same thing. Apparently three class action lawsuits are not enough for them to fix the windshield problem. $1200 to fix, on a brand new car. looks like the St. Louis Arch.

NHTSA ODI #11425275

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2021
Unknown Or Other

I believe the computer system malfunctions. It is available for inspection upon request. The first problem noticed was the automatic door locking system. Since this is keyless entry, putting your hand in the driver's door handle unlocks the driver's door with accompanying 2 beeps (setting I have chosen). But intermittently my pa…

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I believe the computer system malfunctions. It is available for inspection upon request. The first problem noticed was the automatic door locking system. Since this is keyless entry, putting your hand in the driver's door handle unlocks the driver's door with accompanying 2 beeps (setting I have chosen). But intermittently my passenger door also unlocks when my passenger puts their hand in their door handle(adds either 1 or 2 beeps to my 2 beeps). Dealer could not duplicate. They assumed I had it set wrong. Dealer confirmed setting was set to driver's door only. I have it set to driver's door only for anti carjacking. I also had an incident when starting the car that only the driver's front speaker was on and it was a HORRIBLE loud tinny, staticy sound. I turned my radio on and off repeatedly. Cleared to normal after 1 mile of driving. Sometimes several of my Apps are greyed out when starting the car. After 5 minutes of travel they will usually become active. I had one episode of the digital and analog speedometers not matching. The analog was 5 over the digital. When stopped at a light my analog was at 5 mph. Most of the time my analog is 1 sometimes 2 miles more than digital. Also, normal operation is that music continues to play until the driver's door is opened. Twice I have had music turn off when ignition is turned off. It has been to the dealer once, but they didn't find anything. These problems started after a month of ownership. It currently has 2600 miles after 6 months of ownership. I drive 3 miles round trip to work, with occassional trips across the state to see family. It is unknown how many different ways the safety of the driver and occupants could be affected with a malfunctioning computer system. When will it do something unexpected that has serious consequences? The dealer is completely unconcerned which does anger me.

NHTSA ODI #11419812

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2021
Unknown Or Other

The front windshield is easily chipped or cracked. A rock hit it, and by the next morning it had starburst across the windshield. We replaced the windshield and two weeks later a second rock chipped it in the same spot. A couple weeks later a third rock chipped it above an inch above the last chip.

NHTSA ODI #11418973

3,000 miles · Apr 29, 2021
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

CRACK IN WINDSHIELD APPEARED WITH NO PUNCTURE. NOTICED CRACK WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. NOTHING HAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD, PASSENGER NOTICED THE CRACK.

NHTSA ODI #11414504

Official recalls

4

24V227000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

Mar 22, 2024

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.

23V755000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Nov 9, 2023

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.

22V485000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:driveline:chain/belt

Jul 8, 2022

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-22. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:driveline:chain/belt

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-22. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-22. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.

21V024000 · Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod

Jan 26, 2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Outback and Impreza vehicles. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loose nut can lead to a lost of retention in the CVT select lever cable and the gear selector not functioning properly, increasing risk of crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, tighten the nut, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-21.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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