2021 Subaru Outback problems and recalls

Owners have filed 296 complaints on the 2021 Subaru Outback, and NHTSA has issued 4 recalls. The most cited component is the Visibility/Wiper (97 complaints).

296
Complaints
4
Recalls
9
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
4
Injuries
34.1
Severity index

Severity index 34.1 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 34.1p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 91 of 92 by severity index among 2021 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 1% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2021 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 97 complaints (32.8%)97 33%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 75 complaints (25.3%)75 25%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 65 complaints (22.0%)65 22%Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 29 complaints (9.8%)29 10%EngineEngine: 21 complaints (7.1%)21 7%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 19 complaints (6.4%)19 6%Air BagsAir Bags: 16 complaints (5.4%)16 5%Power TrainPower Train: 12 complaints (4.1%)12 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
VISIBILITY/WIPER9732.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7525.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6522.0%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE299.8%
ENGINE217.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL196.4%
AIR BAGS165.4%
POWER TRAIN124.1%

Complaints filed per year

0551102020: 52021: 1032022: 612023: 562024: 372025: 202026: 14 (partial year)20211032223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20205
2021103
202261
202356
202437
202520
2026 (year to date)14
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (113 against 169).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
21V02400026/01/2021POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/RODSubaru 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.
22V48500008/07/2022POWER 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.
23V75500009/11/2023POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCHSubaru 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.
24V22700022/03/2024AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGERSubaru 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.

Other Subaru Outback model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 14 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-05. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.