Model year record

2021 Subaru Outback

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 473 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 24V227000

Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger

Component
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
118,723
Reported to NHTSA
2024-03-22
Owners notified
2025-02-03

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V755000

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

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
95,830
Reported to NHTSA
2023-11-09
Owners notified
2024-01-08

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V485000

Power train: driveline: chain/belt

Component
Power train: driveline: chain/belt
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
182
Reported to NHTSA
2022-07-08
Owners notified
2022-08-24

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V024000

Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod

Component
Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
383
Reported to NHTSA
2021-01-26
Owners notified
2021-02-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Visibility/wiper973,000 mi
Electrical system782,500 mi
Unknown or other781,500 mi
Air bags2617,800 mi
Engine2612,500 mi
Vehicle speed control2530,800 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking20400 mi
Power train1930,800 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings13
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control12640 mi
Fuel/propulsion system11
Visibility: windshield93,000 mi
Structure: body8500 mi
Service brakes7
Steering617,500 mi
Wheels63,718 mi
Exterior lighting4
Lane departure: warning4400 mi
Back over prevention: rearview system braking3
Back over prevention: warnings3
Engine and engine cooling318,640 mi
Suspension3
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2932 mi
Lane departure: blind spot detection2
Lane departure: sensing system: radar218,640 mi
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger1
Electrical system: adas: control module11,800 mi
Lane departure: assist1
Parking brake124,000 mi
Seats1
Visibility123,000 mi

The 2020 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 2022 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.