2021 SUBARU OUTBACK — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
391
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
27
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
The 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK has received a total of 391 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH. 27 technical service bulletins have been issued by Subaru of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Visibilitywiper (97 complaints), Electrical System (68 complaints), and Unknown Or Other (58 complaints).
Recalls for the 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK, potentially affecting up to 334,023 vehicles.
Recall 24V227000 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
| 118,723 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 24V227000 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
| 118,723 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 23V755000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
| 95,830 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 22V485000 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CHAIN/BELT
| 182 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 22V485000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
| 182 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 21V024000 — POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD
| 383 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
391 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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 for this exact year and type of car but are stating my vin does not have the recall. I have contacted them and they stated there is nothing they can do for me to fix this recall because my car's vin is not showing to have this recall.
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 camera detection picked up a raised cement walkway with metal railing. The brake was applied by the driver, however the car accelerated quickly and slammed into the railing and cement. The vehicle was placed into drive after the collision and continued normally. The brake was on once the warning light beeped and prior to the collision. The foot was not removed from the brake pedal until it was in drive. It could not have been placed into drive without the brake pedal being pressed. I asked the dealership if they could pull data from the car at the time of the incident, and was told they weren't sure they would get any information. It has not been inspected by a dealership or insurance. There was no damage done to the cement and railing was already bent. Only the car sustained damage.
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 camera detection picked up a raised cement walkway with metal railing. The brake was applied by the driver, however the car accelerated quickly and slammed into the railing and cement. The vehicle was placed into drive after the collision and continued normally. The brake was on once the warning light beeped and prior to the collision. The foot was not removed from the brake pedal until it was in drive. It could not have been placed into drive without the brake pedal being pressed. I asked the dealership if they could pull data from the car at the time of the incident, and was told they weren't sure they would get any information. It has not been inspected by a dealership or insurance. There was no damage done to the cement and railing was already bent. Only the car sustained damage.
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 camera detection picked up a raised cement walkway with metal railing. The brake was applied by the driver, however the car accelerated quickly and slammed into the railing and cement. The vehicle was placed into drive after the collision and continued normally. The brake was on once the warning light beeped and prior to the collision. The foot was not removed from the brake pedal until it was in drive. It could not have been placed into drive without the brake pedal being pressed. I asked the dealership if they could pull data from the car at the time of the incident, and was told they weren't sure they would get any information. It has not been inspected by a dealership or insurance. There was no damage done to the cement and railing was already bent. Only the car sustained damage.
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 hazzard on any vehicle
Safety Rating for the 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
The 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
Subaru of America, Inc. has issued 27 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
12-275-25 — STRUCTURE:BODY
This Bulletin announces a new diagnostic procedure for addressing NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) originating from the roof area.
09-115-24R — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin announces the availability of new oxygen sensors developed to address Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) detected by the Engine Control Module.
SubaruNet Announcement — SEATS
This is an update for owner notification for Safety recall WRA-24 to replace the ODS sensor replacement.
WRQ-23R — EQUIPMENT
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) has initiated a safety recall for certain 2021 model year Crosstrek vehicles, certain 2022 model year Forester, and certain 2021-2023 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles.
WRQ-23 — EQUIPMENT
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) has initiated a safety recall for certain 2021 model year Crosstrek vehicles, certain 2022 model year Forester, and certain 2021-2023 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles.
WRQ-23 — POWER TRAIN
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) has initiated a safety recall for certain 2021 model year Crosstrek vehicles, certain 2022 model year Forester, and certain 2021-2023 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles.
09-110-23R — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This Service Information Bulletin announces diagnostic service procedures to be followed when DTC P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1) is detected by the Engine Control Module (ECM).
09-110-23 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This Service Information Bulletin announces diagnostic service procedures to be followed when DTC P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1) is detected by the Engine Control Module (ECM). If DTC P0420 is found to be stored in the ECM, follow the diagnostic procedures outlined below.
07-203-23 — STRUCTURE
This bulletin announced a design change made to the power rear gate drive unit assemblies.
09-108-23 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin announces diagnostic procedures and availability of new Engine Control Module (ECM) reprogramming files to address DTC P2404 (Evap System Leak Detection Pump Sense Circuit Range/Performance) detection.
Showing 10 of 27 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SUBARU OUTBACK
- 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK — 757 complaints
- 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK — 1,087 complaints
- 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK — 957 complaints
- 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK — 1,273 complaints
- 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK — 1,120 complaints
- 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK (current)
- 2022 SUBARU OUTBACK — 518 complaints
- 2023 SUBARU OUTBACK — 118 complaints
- 2024 SUBARU OUTBACK — 104 complaints
- 2025 SUBARU OUTBACK — 77 complaints
- 2026 SUBARU OUTBACK — 0 complaints
Other SUBARU Models
- SUBARU FORESTER — 8,432 total complaints
- SUBARU LEGACY — 4,117 total complaints
- SUBARU IMPREZA — 3,406 total complaints
- SUBARU CROSSTREK — 1,431 total complaints
- SUBARU ASCENT — 1,230 total complaints
- SUBARU WRX — 1,207 total complaints
- SUBARU SVX — 373 total complaints
- SUBARU XV CROSSTREK — 354 total complaints