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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.

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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

Visibility complaints

10 reports
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23,000 miles · Dec 22, 2023
Visibility

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, she became aware that the front windshield had suddenly cracked, extending from the center of the windshield to the passenger’s side bezel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the crack was the result of the impact …

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The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, she became aware that the front windshield had suddenly cracked, extending from the center of the windshield to the passenger’s side bezel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the crack was the result of the impact of a small, unknown object. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V712000 (Visibility), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000.

NHTSA ODI #11561566

6,000 miles · Apr 28, 2023
Visibility

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that on three separate occasions the windshield cracked without impact. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer after each failure and was informed each time that a rock chip might have caused the failure. The contact purchased a carbon steel film after which he was inf…

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The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that on three separate occasions the windshield cracked without impact. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer after each failure and was informed each time that a rock chip might have caused the failure. The contact purchased a carbon steel film after which he was informed would prevent the windshield from breaking in the event of another cracked windshield, with the purchase of this protective film, he could have a total of 4 windshield replacements free of charge. The contact stated that each failure obstructed his vision while driving. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

NHTSA ODI #11519421

17,000 miles · Apr 6, 2022
Visibility

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed a crack on the center passenger’s side of the windshield. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the windshield to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired bu…

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The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed a crack on the center passenger’s side of the windshield. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the windshield to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure with the new windshields. The contact stated he had the windshield replaced a total of three times. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

NHTSA ODI #11459834

19,000 miles · Jan 10, 2022
Visibility

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that there was a crack on the windshield. There was no impact to the windshield that could have caused the crack. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that a rock chipped the windshield. The dealer informed the contact that the windshield crack was not cover…

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The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that there was a crack on the windshield. There was no impact to the windshield that could have caused the crack. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that a rock chipped the windshield. The dealer informed the contact that the windshield crack was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but denied the claim for the windshield replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

NHTSA ODI #11446895

6,400 miles · Jan 5, 2022
Visibility

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH approaching a traffic light, the contact heard an abnormal cracking sound coming from the front windshield. The contact noticed a small crack on the driver’s side of the windshield that spread to the middle of the windshield. The contact took the veh…

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The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH approaching a traffic light, the contact heard an abnormal cracking sound coming from the front windshield. The contact noticed a small crack on the driver’s side of the windshield that spread to the middle of the windshield. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who stated that the failure was related to a thinner OEM breakable glass on the vehicle that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,400.

NHTSA ODI #11446410

3,000 miles · Jun 29, 2021
Visibility

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 75 mph, a small rock struck the windshield and made a small mark at the bottom of the passenger’s side windshield. The contact continued driving and the crack started to expand across the windshield. The contact stated that the next morning the crack was ap…

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The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 75 mph, a small rock struck the windshield and made a small mark at the bottom of the passenger’s side windshield. The contact continued driving and the crack started to expand across the windshield. The contact stated that the next morning the crack was approximately 3 feet in length. The vehicle was taken to a window shop and the front windshield was replaced. The contact stated that on June 25, 2021 while driving 20 mph, the windshield cracked. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

NHTSA ODI #11422814

150 miles · Jun 9, 2021
Visibility

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact noticed that there was a crack in the middle of the windshield going upward. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was parked at home when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they informed the contact that a stone had struck the windshield. The vehi…

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The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact noticed that there was a crack in the middle of the windshield going upward. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was parked at home when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they informed the contact that a stone had struck the windshield. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150.

NHTSA ODI #11420329

2,500 miles · Mar 26, 2021
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A CRACK FORMED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF WINDSHIELD WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK OBSTRUCTED HER VISION WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED HER INSURANCE PROVIDER AND HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED BY …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A CRACK FORMED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF WINDSHIELD WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK OBSTRUCTED HER VISION WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED HER INSURANCE PROVIDER AND HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. RECENTLY, WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH, ANOTHER CRACK FORMED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD, WITHOUT IMPACT. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,500.

NHTSA ODI #11404984

1,800 miles · Feb 26, 2021
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SHE NOTICED A BUBBLE IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED APPROXIMATELY TWELVE INCHES WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM ARMSTRONG SUBARU (2321 U.S. HWY 70 SW, HIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SHE NOTICED A BUBBLE IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED APPROXIMATELY TWELVE INCHES WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM ARMSTRONG SUBARU (2321 U.S. HWY 70 SW, HICKORY, NC 28602, (828) 322-9372) WHERE THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD BEEN IMPACTED BY AN UNKNOWN OBJECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800.*DT*JB CONSUMER STATED WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11398015

600 miles · Dec 15, 2020
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STOCKER SUBARU (1454 DREIBELBIS ST, STATE COLLEGE, PA 16801, (814) 954-7320) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAD LINT OR DUST EMBEDDED INSIDE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE WIND…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STOCKER SUBARU (1454 DREIBELBIS ST, STATE COLLEGE, PA 16801, (814) 954-7320) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAD LINT OR DUST EMBEDDED INSIDE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ENGINEER INSPECTED THE WINDSHIELD AND STATED THE WINDSHIELD WAS ACCEPTABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A GIFT CARD WAS PROVIDED TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE WAS 600.*DT THE CONSUMER STATED CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ASKING FOR A REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD AND REQUEST WAS DENIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11383520

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.

Go deeper into Subaru Outback problems