Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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
What owners actually said
296 reports
3,600 miles · Mar 13, 2021
Visibility/wiper
ON MARCH 12, 2021, I WAS SITTING IN MY IDLE 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK WHEN I HEARD A QUICK POP SOUND. WHEN I LOOKED UP, THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD. I CURRENTLY HAVE 3600 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE CRACK IS VERY LINEAR. THE CAR WASN'T RUNNING AND THE WEATHER WAS PLEASANT AROUND 65…
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ON MARCH 12, 2021, I WAS SITTING IN MY IDLE 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK WHEN I HEARD A QUICK POP SOUND. WHEN I LOOKED UP, THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD. I CURRENTLY HAVE 3600 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE CRACK IS VERY LINEAR. THE CAR WASN'T RUNNING AND THE WEATHER WAS PLEASANT AROUND 65 DEGREES.
NHTSA ODI #11402718
7,000 miles · Mar 6, 2021
Visibility/wiper
I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS. IT HAS SEVEN THOUSAND MILES ON IT. A CRACK APPEARED OVERNIGHT AT THE LEFT SIDE (DRIVERS SIDE) TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO ROCK AND DAMAGED DETECTED. IT JUST HAPPENED ON ITS OWN.
NHTSA ODI #11399539
1,200 miles · Mar 3, 2021
Visibility/wiper
CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED ON WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA ODI #11398970
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
3,000 miles · Feb 24, 2021
Unknown Or Other
I WAS JUST DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE WINDSHIELD STARTED CRACKING ON IT'S OWN. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE AT ALL PRIOR TO THE EVENT. NO DEBRIS HIT THE WINDSHIELD IT JUST STARTED CRACKING AND THE CRACK RAPIDLY GREW OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MINUTES TO A SIZE OF 10 INCHES.
NHTSA ODI #11397663
6,000 miles · Feb 22, 2021
Visibility/wiper
CRACKED WINDSHIELD WITHOUT IMPACT FROM BOTTOM THEY REPLACED IT BUT WITHIN A WEEK SECOND ONE CRACKED.
NHTSA ODI #11397334
2,500 miles · Feb 13, 2021
Electrical System
I BOUGHT A NEW CAR IN DECEMBER 2020. ONE DAY IN JAN 2021, I NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY HAD DIED. I JUMP STARTED IT AND THEN IN FEBRUARY 2021, I HAD TO JUMPSTART IT 3 TIMES. AT LEAST THE LAST INSTANCE, I WAS CAREFUL TO CHECK NO INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ON, AND IT STILL HAPPENED. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. I HOP…
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I BOUGHT A NEW CAR IN DECEMBER 2020. ONE DAY IN JAN 2021, I NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY HAD DIED. I JUMP STARTED IT AND THEN IN FEBRUARY 2021, I HAD TO JUMPSTART IT 3 TIMES. AT LEAST THE LAST INSTANCE, I WAS CAREFUL TO CHECK NO INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ON, AND IT STILL HAPPENED. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. I HOPE THAT FIXES IT.
NHTSA ODI #11396114
1,250 miles · Feb 6, 2021
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT 1200 MILES. CRACK STARTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. CRACK APPEARED WHEN ENTERING THE CAR. WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THEN THERE WAS A CRACK
NHTSA ODI #11394995
800 miles · Feb 3, 2021
Visibility/wiper
POSSESSION OF NEW VEHICLE WAS TAKEN 1/13/21. DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING ON 1/18/21, WINDSHIELD EXPERIENCED A SURFACE CHIP AND WAS REPAIRED THE SAME DAY BY AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN. DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING ON 1/29/21, WINDSHIELD EXPERIENCED ANOTHER CHIP IN DIFFERENT LOCATION WHICH TURNED INTO AN APPROXIMATELY 10 INCH CRACK MINUTES LAT…
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POSSESSION OF NEW VEHICLE WAS TAKEN 1/13/21. DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING ON 1/18/21, WINDSHIELD EXPERIENCED A SURFACE CHIP AND WAS REPAIRED THE SAME DAY BY AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN. DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING ON 1/29/21, WINDSHIELD EXPERIENCED ANOTHER CHIP IN DIFFERENT LOCATION WHICH TURNED INTO AN APPROXIMATELY 10 INCH CRACK MINUTES LATER, BEYOND REPAIR. WINDSHIELD HAS NOT YET BEEN REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #11394545
200 miles · Jan 3, 2021
Unknown Or Other
THIS IS AN ISSUE WE EXPERIENCED WITH AN EXPLODING SUNROOF OF OUR NEW SUBARU OUTBACK. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 22, 2020. WITHIN DAYS OF THE PURCHASE, ON DECEMBER 27, 2020, THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. BOTH THE SUNROOF AND INTERIOR SUNROOF COVERING WERE CLOSED AT THE TIME. THE FRA…
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THIS IS AN ISSUE WE EXPERIENCED WITH AN EXPLODING SUNROOF OF OUR NEW SUBARU OUTBACK. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 22, 2020. WITHIN DAYS OF THE PURCHASE, ON DECEMBER 27, 2020, THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. BOTH THE SUNROOF AND INTERIOR SUNROOF COVERING WERE CLOSED AT THE TIME. THE FRACTURED GLASS WAS BROKEN OUTWARD WHICH LEADS US TO BELIEVE THIS IS A VEHICLE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY REFERRED US TO SUBARU CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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