NHTSA has received 297 owner complaints about the 2021 Subaru Outback, or 51.3 per year on the road — more complaints than typical (complaint index 1.27, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #63 of 85 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Subaru models its rate is 41% higher; against other Midsize SUVs it is about the same.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2020-11-23 and 2026-10-13. Median delay from incident to filing: 4 days.
297Complaints
51.3Complaints per year on the road
1.27Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls
3.7%Share involving a crash or fire
17Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 132.4 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 97.1 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 169 complaints, 176% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Body & structure (35.4% of complaints), followed by Electrical (24.9%) and Unspecified or other (13.1%). Body & structure complaints are 3.9 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 11 reports (3.7%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 4 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 16 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (42% of incidents). In the last 12 months 17 new complaints were filed, versus 25 in the 12 months before — down 32%.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles1.27
vs. other Subaru models1.41
vs. other 2021 models1.32
vs. other Midsize SUVs0.98
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (169)2.76
My car caught fire this morning. It had been making a little noise but nothing I thought couldn't wait til the next service. It started to have a smell, and then while I was waiting at a light with my son in the car, I noticed smoke from under the hood.
Unspecified or other · 2026-10-13 · ODI 11770844 · Fire
The contact owned 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH turning a right hand corner into a shopping center, the vehicle began to accelerate without the contacts consent. and the contact proceeded to frantically apply the brakes.
Other · 2026-08-07 · ODI 11755558 · Crash
Vehicle's Auto Start-Stop system shut the engine off while stopped at a red light in [XXX], in rainy conditions in late XXX at approximately 29,000 miles.
Electrical · 2026-08-26 · ODI 11759871
Good Day! I bought my 2021 Subaru Outback XT Onyx in Jan 2021. I had waiting 6 yrs for Subaru to use the Turbo Motor in the Outback again. I've had this car for 5 years with my warranty running out Jan 2026, but I only drive 5000-7000 miles per/yr.
Engine · 2026-08-20 · ODI 11758285
I am reporting a serious and intermittent steering safety issue with my 2021 Subaru Outback. On two separate occasions, the vehicle suddenly lost what appeared to be power-steering assistance while the vehicle was in motion, causing the steering wheel to…
Electrical · 2026-08-16 · ODI 11757279
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER Campaign 24V227000 · 2024-03-22
Summary: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH Campaign 23V755000 · 2023-11-09
Summary: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) Campaign 22V485000 · 2022-07-08
Summary: 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.
POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD Campaign 21V024000 · 2021-01-26
Summary: 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.
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.
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.
