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
296 reports, newest first.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 19, 2021
While moving forward slowly with foot lightly on the brakes and pulling into a parking space at local shopping center the car accelerated and the steering wheel turned to the right. The result of the cars actions made the car jump the curb, drive across the sidewalk and then across small hedges in the landscaped area. Car finally came to a stop about 20 feet later, with me pushing hard on the brake, just prior to entering parking lot roadway cross traffic. There was no alarm, warning or any other indication from any of the safety systems. As far as the automobile was concerned, nothing wrong had happened. Luckily there were no other vehicles or pedestrians on sidewalk or in the landscaped area between the parking space and roadway. There was no vehicle damage as the shrubs were all fairly short and the car simply drove over them. My husband disabled the lane departure system and I continue to operate the car. Based on all the previous incidents reported on this site, my husband indicates that Subaru will blame operator error. I have a perfect driving record and this incident was not caused by me incorrectly stepping on the gas.
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
Electrical system, Jun 12, 2021
My Subaru battery was completely dead after only having it for 3 months and 700 miles on odometer. I was left stranded due to not being able to start vehicle. Vehicle was towed to dealer. Dealer took 2 day to diagnose that the battery was bad and they replaced battery. Dealer claims the passenger map light was left on. This light was not left on unless the tow truck driver left the light on. It was night time when the vehicle was towed and when the vehicle was jump started the light was not on.
Visibility, Jun 9, 2021
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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2021
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.
Electrical system, Jun 2, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the battery had fully drained and was recharged two times. There was no warning light illuminated. The third time the vehicle was towed to an unknown mechanic and was diagnosed with needing the battery to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Subaru was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 832.
Other or unspecified, May 29, 2021
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.
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.
Electrical system, May 3, 2021
AFTER 5000 MILES MY BATTERY HAS BEEN DRAINED AND IS CURRENTLY DEAD. I WAS TOLD I MUST LOCK IT EVERY TIME I AM NOT DRIVING TO ENSURE BATTERY LIFE IS EXTENDED. EVEN WITH DOING THIS BATTERY IS STILL DEAD AFTER BARELY 5000 MILES.
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.
Wheels, Apr 29, 2021
DRIVING ON GROOVED CONCRETE HIGHWAY THE CAR WANDERED ALL OVER THE ROAD. IT FEELS VERY UN-SAFE AND THAT YOU ARE NOT IN CONTROL OF THE CAR. THIS STARTED THE DAY I PICK UP THE CAR 2 WEEKS AGO, 1700 MILES
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
Electrical system, Apr 18, 2021
I BOUGHT THIS 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK IN JAN 2, 2021. IN MID FEB, I DROVE THE OUTBACK TO LAKE TAHOE. ON MY WAY, I WENT TO COSTCO GAS STATION FOR GAS AFTER 1 HOUR HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE CAR WAS JUST DEAD AFTER REFUELING. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE NOT KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS JUMPSTARTED. I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE MY TRIP AND BACK HOME. AFTER I WAS BACK HOME, I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER THAT SOLD THE CAR. I WAS TOLD IT WAS BATTERY PROBLEM AND A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED. A FEW WEEKS LATER, MY CAR COULDN'T START IN MY GARAGE ON A SATURDAY MORNING. I HAD TO JUMPSTART THE CAR USING A HANDHELD BATTERY MYSELF. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I THINK SUBARU OUTBACK HAS A DEFECT IN ELECTRIC SYSTEM THAT DRAIN THE BATTERY.
Electrical system, Apr 16, 2021
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED LESS THAN 5 MONTHS AGO, HAS LESS THAN 1000 MILES AND THE BATTERY HAS DIED. CAR IS USED REGULARLY, AS A FAMILY CAR, TO RUN ERRANDS IN OUR NEIGHBORGHOOD. BATTERY DOES NOT HOLD A CHARGE. IT WILL CHARGE WITH A BATTERY TENDER, BUT WILL THEN DRAIN QUICKLY.
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.
Electrical system, Apr 3, 2021
WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND 3 MONTHS INTO OWNERSHIP IT WON'T START DUE TO BATTERY ISSUES. NOTHING IMPROPER OR IRREGULAR WAS DONE WITH THE CAR. IT JUST DOESN'T FUNCTION BY DEFAULT.
Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2021
WINDSHIELD FAILED TWICE IN FIRST SIX WEEKS, DEALER REPLACED IT ONCE, IT LASTED 9 DAYS, BOTH TIMES WINDSHIELD BROKE IN SNOW STORM WITH DEFROSTER ON HIGH
Wheels, Mar 28, 2021
EARLY IN FEBRUARY, MY CAR STARTED TO SEND ME INTERMITTENAT ERROR MASSAGES STATING THAT THE TIRES HAD LOST PRESSURE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE SOFTWARE, AND THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY THOUGHT THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT. THE NEXT FIX INVOLVED REPLACING THE MODULE THAT MONITORS THE TIRE PRESSURE. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM EITHER. IT HAS BEEN OVER A MONTH SINCE THE PROBLEM STARTED. AND THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE ISSUE.
Forward collision avoidance, Mar 26, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKES ENGAGED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HYMAN BROS. SUBARU (11960 MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE, MIDLOTHIAN, VA 23113) WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EYESIGHT BY THE REAR VIEW MIRROR NEEDED TO BE RECALIBRATED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER UNREPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900.
Visibility, Mar 26, 2021
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.