2021 Subaru Outback

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #24V227000March 22, 2024118,723 vehicles affected

  air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #23V755000November 9, 202395,830 vehicles affected

  power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #22V485000July 8, 2022182 vehicles affected

  power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); 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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #21V024000January 26, 2021383 vehicles affected

  power train: shift linkage/cable/rod

  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.

  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.

Other model years

• 1996 46
• 1997 79
• 1998 127
• 1999 111
• 2000 207
• 2001 171
• 2002 143
• 2003 93
• 2004 90
• 2005 273
• 2006 277
• 2007 130
• 2008 226
• 2009 106
• 2010 360
• 2011 653
• 2012 294
• 2013 297
• 2014 208
• 2015 510
• 2016 643
• 2017 921
• 2018 816
• 2019 1,036
• 2020 902
• 2021
• 2022 465
• 2023 89
• 2024 105
• 2025 83