2021 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility/wiper is the leading concern among 296 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 9 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerMar 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.
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 24V227000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, park/neutral start interlock switchNov 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.
An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 23V755000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)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.
An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 22V485000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, shift linkage/cable/rodJan 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 21V024000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: visibility/wiper
97 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Jun 22, 2021
While driving down the highway, a small object (based on sound) struck the windshield and caused a small chip. Approximately one minute later, the chip splintered into a four way crack, with two legs showing over 12 inches of crack. Over the next few hours, the cracks grew by over 6 inches. After 3 days the cracks have grown vertically to the edges, and horizontally to 3/4 of the windshield, with additional cracks spidering from original chip. The cracks continue to grow daily. Due to the specialized windshield, immediate replacement is not possible. Chip repair was never available due to immediate spidering of windshield. I am replacing the windshield next week (earliest appointment available).
Visibility/wiper, Jun 17, 2021
Driving down the highway on 6/10/21 my windshield popped and cracked on its own at the center bottom and then proceeded to crack up and over in the driver's line of sight within 24 hours. My crack is consistent with service bulletin #12-192-15R/ a lawsuit for previous year models.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 17, 2021
* The windshield cracked while driving. To the best of my knowledge, nothing hit the windshield, it just cracked. I have not yet repaired it but am getting estimates. * Cracked windshields are a safety issue * UNKNOWN * No * No
Visibility/wiper, May 16, 2021
LARGE CRACK FORMED IN WINDSHIELD AFTER PARKING ON AN OUTDOOR LOT ON A SUNNY DAY AND USING A SUNSHADE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE CAR. PARKED FOR ABOUT 5 HOURS AND RETURNED TO THE CRACK. THERE WERE NO CRACKS OR DINGS PRIOR TO PARKING, AND NO TRAUMA TO ANY OTHER PART OF THE CAR BODY OR GLASS.
Visibility/wiper, May 7, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACK WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR OBVIOUS IMPACT.
Visibility/wiper, May 1, 2021
WINDSHIELD BROKE WITHOUT WARNING, HAPPENED DURING CITY DRIVING APPROX 25-30 MPH WHEN FIRST NOTICED. CRACK HAS CONTINUED TO SPREAD TO COVER ENTIRE WINDSHIELD FIRST CRACK NOTICED 4/15/2021, 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK, SUBARU CONTACTED AND THEY DENIED WARRANTY AND OR KNOWLEDGE WITH THEIR WINDSHIELDS BREAKING WITHOUT CAUSE
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 29, 2021
CRACK IN WINDSHIELD APPEARED WITH NO PUNCTURE. NOTICED CRACK WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. NOTHING HAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD, PASSENGER NOTICED THE CRACK.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 26, 2021
PARKED MY CAR IN THE MORNING AND AFTERNOON WHEN I WENT BACK I HAD A STRESS CRACK ACCROSS THE PASSANGER SIDE
Visibility/wiper, Apr 15, 2021
WENT OUT TO MY CAR TO GO HOME AND FOUND A 9 IN CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO CRACK WHEN I GOT OUT OF MY CAR. THERE IS NO ROCK IMPACT AND NO MARKS.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 12, 2021
WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED NEAR AIR CONDITIONING ELEMENT WITH NO EVIDENCE OF A CHIP
Visibility/wiper, Apr 7, 2021
AN EMPTY PLASTIC BOX FELL ON THE WINDSHIELD FROM MAYBE 2 FEET. THE WINDSHIELD BASICALLY SHATTERED, WITH PIECES OF GLASS IN THE CAR. WE INFORMED OUR DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS A NEW CAR, AND WE ARE VERY SCARED THAT THEIR IS A DEFECT BASED ON THE IMPACT THAT WE SAW. SUBARU DISCREDITED OUR CLAIM. WE HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING WE CAN DO INFORM THEM TO LOOK INTO THIS POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IN A GARAGE WHEN THE EMPTY BOX FELL ON THE WIND SHIELD. NOW WE ARE PAYING TO REPLACE THE CRACK WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 25, 2021
JUST GOT A NEW CAR IN JAN 2021. WINDSHIELD GOT CHIPPED EASILY. I ALREADY TRIED WITH GLASSES REPAIR KIT SEVERAL TIMES. AND RECENTLY IT GOT CRACKED LINE (AROUND 30CM 90 DEGREE). THE SAME ROUTE TO WORK I DROVE WITH MY OLD 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 AND NEVER GOT ANY CHIP FOR 6 YEARS. UNTIL I GOT THIS NEW 2021 OUTACK, I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FOR LESS THAN 60 DAYS OF DRIVING. ONE OF MY FRIENDS GOT THE SAME TRIM OF CAR THE SAME MONTH ALSO GO REPLACED WINDSHIELD LAST WEEK. THE ROUTE IS ON HWY880 FROM FREMONT TO SAN JOSE, CA AREA.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 22, 2021
SPONTANEOUS CRACK IN LOWER PART OF WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE. CRACK WAS OBSERVED AFTER CLOSING DOOR WHILE PARKED.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 21, 2021
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 2 MONTHS THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON MY 2021 OUTBACK HAS CRACKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BOTH TIMES HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. NOT DRIVING THROUGH A CONSTRUCTION AREA OR ANYTHING. JUST DRIVING AND HEAR A NOICE AND SEE A 12 INCH CRACK. UPLOADING 2 IMAGES ONE IS FROM TODAY AND THE OTHER IS FROM 2/5/2021.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 13, 2021
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.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 6, 2021
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.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 3, 2021
CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED ON WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 22, 2021
CRACKED WINDSHIELD WITHOUT IMPACT FROM BOTTOM THEY REPLACED IT BUT WITHIN A WEEK SECOND ONE CRACKED.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 6, 2021
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
Visibility/wiper, Feb 3, 2021
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.
Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Dec 16, 2020
BRAND NEW 2021 OUTBACK PREMIER @ 647 MILES AND WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT IN OUR PRIVATE DRIVEWAY WE NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED THE NEXT MORNING. LESS THAN 7 DAYS OF OWNERSHIP DEALER CLAIMS IT WAS A ROCK CHIP . THE WINDSHIELD IS SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCREEN. DEALER RESPONSE IS INSULTING. ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE GLASS. DEALER PUSHED THEIR EXPENSIVE INSURANCE TO COVER WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR. WE DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS A RECURRING ISSUE AT THIS TIME WITH THE CARS. IF WE HAD KNOWN WE WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THIS CAR. IT WILL ALWAYS BE AN ISSUE. WILL IT CRACK AGAIN? WHO PAYS, WILL IT LEAVE US STRANDED SOMEWHERE? SUBARU DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WILLING TO STAND BY ITS PRODUCT AND TAKE CARE OF ITS CUSTOMERS
Visibility/wiper, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 23, 2020
I HAD THE CAR ONLY 10 DAYS FROM THE DEALERSHIP, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ON THE HIGHWAY HEADING TO AN EVENT WHEN WE HEARD A CRACK, I LOOKED UP AND THERE WAS A HORIZONTAL CRACK HEADING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT IN THE WINDSHIELD.