Subaru · Outback · 2021
2021 Subaru Outback
4
Recalls
285
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2021 Subaru Outback has 4 recalls and 285 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: visibility/wiper (86 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2021 Subaru Outback page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is visibility/wiper with 86 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2021 Subaru Outback reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2021 Subaru Outback currently shows 4 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 285 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are visibility/wiper (86), electrical system (44), unknown or other (36).
- Vehicle
- 2021 Subaru Outback
- Recalls
- 4
- Complaints
- 285
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
18.5% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: Standard
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 24V227000March 22, 2024
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.
Remedy Status
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 ID: 23V755000November 09, 2023
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.
Remedy Status
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 ID: 22V485000July 08, 2022
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.
Remedy Status
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 ID: 21V024000January 26, 2021
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
285 totalPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Feb 26, 2026
The failure involves the engine (powertrain), which was under warranty. The vehicle has experienced four catastrophic engine failures resulting in sudden loss of power, including at highway speeds (65–75 mph). The most recent failure also involved an oil-saturated catalytic conve...
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AIR BAGS
Dec 23, 2025
The airbag light came on in my car even though the cars airbags have never deployed. The code that the scanner is bringing up is B1784. The description for this error is Right front occupant detection sensor collision detection, Subaru has a safety recall for this exact issue fo...
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VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION
CRASHNov 25, 2025
On 10/29/25 the car lost power once it got to 3500rpm. Multiple warning lights came on. On 11/06/2025, the Thermo Control Valve, high pressure fuel line, and gaskets for intake manifold and EGR were replaced. On 11/24/25, when backing up slowly in a small parking lot, the rear c...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 4, 2025
I was stopped at a stop sign and the car shut off as the auto on/off function. When I went to drive the car did not re-start as the battery needed replaced. I was left stranded in an intersection. The battery did need to be replaced. The auto start/stop feature is a saftey ha...
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STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 30, 2025
Sunroof exploded driving home in 90 degree sunny and clear weather. It sounded like a gun went off right over my head. It scared me so bad I jerked my steering wheel into the other lane. Thank God no one was in that lane. I had to get it replaced at Mid State Glass company. acco...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 26, 2025
SUDDEN AACCELERATION: Cold started the car in garage, all OK. Then backed out and into turn around where I placed foot on the brake. At that moment suddenly accelerated and engine revved to 2000rpm (sounded like). I had to push down very hard on the brake pedal (where my foo...
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POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRASHSep 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while idling at a red traffic light, the vehicle lurched forward twice and struck the rear end of another vehicle twice. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated upon impact. The air bags did not deploy. There...
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POWER TRAIN
Sep 16, 2025
Wheel bearings failed at 55k miles , 5.25 years
AIR BAGS
Sep 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall rep...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
CRASHAug 4, 2025
While slowly backing out of a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on it's own - I do not recall pressing on the accelerator but the engine surged and the vehicle rapidly reversed and struck 4 other parked cars. It felt as if the accelerator became stuck and would not ...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 285 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2021 Subaru models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Subaru Outback Years
2022 Subaru OutbackCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.4r441c2020 Subaru OutbackCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.6r888c2023 Subaru OutbackCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.2r84c2019 Subaru OutbackCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.3r1,023c2024 Subaru OutbackCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.76c2018 Subaru OutbackCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.3r791c
More 2021 Subaru Models
2021 Subaru ForesterAnother 2021 Subaru option for same-year comparison.200c2021 Subaru CrosstrekAnother 2021 Subaru option for same-year comparison.1r100c2021 Subaru AscentAnother 2021 Subaru option for same-year comparison.1r96c2021 Subaru LegacyAnother 2021 Subaru option for same-year comparison.3r30c2021 Subaru ImprezaAnother 2021 Subaru option for same-year comparison.2r14c2021 Subaru WRXAnother 2021 Subaru option for same-year comparison.1r12c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru Outback have?
The 2021 Subaru Outback has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2021 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has received 285 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Subaru Outback.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Subaru Outback?
The 2021 Subaru Outback received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Subaru Outback?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Subaru Outback are visibility/wiper (86 reports), electrical system (44 reports), unknown or other (36 reports).
Does the 2021 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2021 Subaru Outback. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.