RecallRadar

Home → Subaru → Outback → 2021

2021 Subaru Outback Recalls & Complaints

4

open safety recalls on record

Serious

410 owner complaints filed · Severity Index 0.18 · updated 2026-08-07

The recalls

Serious21V024000

Power Train:Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod

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 & full details

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.

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.

Serious22V485000

Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

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

Remedy & full details

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.

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.

Serious23V755000

Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch

inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, raises the risk of a crash.

Remedy & full details

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.

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.

Serious24V227000

Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger

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

Remedy & full details

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.

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.

Complaint volume

410 this model-year 7 median, same year

Volume alone is not a fault rate — popular vehicles attract more reports. Read it next to the severity mix below.

What owners reported happened

21Crashes
2Fires
7Injuries
0Deaths

Across 410 complaints. Severity Index 0.18.

Severity Index weights each complaint's reported outcome (death ×10, injury ×4, fire ×3, crash ×2) and divides by total complaints. It measures how severe reports are, not how often faults occur.

What owners report most

Visibility/Wiper97 · 24%Electrical System70 · 17%Unknown Or Other64 · 16%Engine20 · 5%Forward Collision Avoidan…18 · 4%Vehicle Speed Control18 · 4%Air Bags16 · 4%Forward Collision Avoidan…13 · 3%
  1. Visibility/Wiper — 97 reports
  2. Electrical System — 70 reports
  3. Unknown Or Other — 64 reports
  4. Engine — 20 reports
  5. Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking — 18 reports
  6. Vehicle Speed Control — 18 reports
  7. Air Bags — 16 reports
  8. Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings — 13 reports
  9. Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control — 12 reports
  10. Power Train — 11 reports

What to do

  1. Find your 17-character VIN on the driver's door jamb or the base of the windscreen.
  2. Check it against NHTSA's official lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls — the authoritative record for your exact car.
  3. Book the repair with any franchised dealer. Safety recall work is free, with no time limit and regardless of who owns the car now.

Other model years

1995 (1) · 1996 (2) · 1997 (4) · 1998 (2) · 1999 (1) · 2000 (2) · 2001 (4) · 2002 (5) · 2003 (15) · 2004 (11) · 2005 (9) · 2006 (7) · 2007 (8) · 2008 (8) · 2009 (13) · 2010 (18) · 2011 (16) · 2012 (16) · 2013 (12) · 2014 (10) · 2015 (5) · 2016 (4) · 2017 (4) · 2018 (3) · 2019 (3) · 2020 (6) · 2021 · 2022 (4) · 2023 (2) · 2024 · 2025 · 2026

Numbers in brackets are open recall campaigns for that year.

Questions

Does an open recall mean the car is unsafe to drive?

Not usually. NHTSA issues a "do not drive" or "park outside" advisory when a defect is dangerous enough to keep you out of the car — those are flagged Critical above. Everything else should be repaired promptly but is not an immediate stop-driving order.

Do I pay for recall repairs?

No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to fix a safety recall free of charge, including parts and labour, whether or not you are the original owner.

Why are there complaints but no recalls?

Complaints are unverified reports filed by owners. They can prompt an investigation, but many never become recalls — either the fault isn't safety-related or it isn't widespread.

From the same data desk

Independent sites, same maintainer, same open-data standards.

TireFit
Is that tyre actually right for your car?
2,808 fitment guides
FuelFacts
What that trip really costs in fuel
Live consumption data
CostCompare
What things cost, city by city
2,123 comparisons