2021 Subaru Outback Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Subaru Outback has a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 9th worst out of 21 model years, with 296 complaints and 4 recalls. Its verdict is Caution, driven mainly by windshield cracking and electrical system reports.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 Outback years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 296
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Visibility & Wipers
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27.5
- 24.5 city / 31.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2021 Subaru Outback problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers107 (36%)
- Electrical System77 (26%)
- Other65 (22%)
- Engine37 (13%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras31 (10%)
- Airbags16 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (4%)
- Fuel System10 (3%)
- Brakes8 (3%)
- Structure & Body8 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Windshields crack spontaneously, often within days of purchase and at very low mileage, with cracks reported as early as 400 to 600 miles.
- Some owners report the same replaced windshield develops lint or dust embedded inside the glass and cracks again.
- Cars have suddenly accelerated on their own while parking or backing up, striking nearby vehicles, buildings, or curbs.
- The pre-collision safety system and Electronic Control Units reportedly failed to engage or respond during unintended acceleration events.
- An engine block reportedly caught fire while the vehicle was parked and turned off, destroying the engine and hood.
- Owners describe the engine lurching or surging forward at idle, sometimes striking other vehicles, with warning lights appearing after impact.
2021 Subaru Outback recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V227000Mar 22, 2024Airbags118,723 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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 23V755000Nov 9, 2023Transmission & Powertrain95,830 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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 22V485000Jul 8, 2022Transmission & Powertrain182 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
2021 Subaru Outback fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 31.5 MPG
- Combined
- 27.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,375
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Subaru Outback reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 296 complaints and a Complaint Index of 60 for the 2021 Outback, ranking it 9th worst among 21 model years tracked. Its verdict is Caution, mainly due to visibility/wiper and electrical system complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Subaru Outback?
- Visibility & Wipers issues account for 36% of complaints (107 total), followed by Electrical System problems at 26% (77 complaints) and Engine issues at 13% (37 complaints).
- Does the 2021 Subaru Outback have a CVT recall?
- Yes. Recall 21V024000 covers a CVT select lever cable nut that could loosen, and recall 22V485000 addresses a Transmission Control Unit programming error that could let the clutch engage before the drive chain fully engages.
- How does the 2021 Outback compare to other Outback years?
- The 2021 model's Complaint Index of 60 is lower than 2016-2020 and 2022 model years, which all carry Avoid verdicts with indexes between 75 and 100. It ranks better than those but worse than 2023-2025 models.
- What is the median mileage for reported failures in the 2021 Outback?
- Across all complaints, the median mileage at failure is 3,600 miles. Visibility & Wipers issues had a median of 3,000 miles, while Electrical System issues had a median of 2,150 miles.