The 2021 Subaru Outback has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 215,118 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 405 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the visibility/wiper. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS24V2270002024-03-22118,723 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.
POWER TRAIN23V7550002023-11-0995,830 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.
POWER TRAIN22V4850002022-07-08182 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 letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may…
POWER TRAIN21V0240002021-01-26383 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.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
12
POWER TRAIN
11
1crashes
Total complaints405
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“We are very concerned about the failure of some very important safety features of our 2021 subaru outback touring edition. We were involved in a bad car accident caused by a person under the influence who was in handcuffs when we were taken away by ambulance. As you can see by the photos, there…”
“We are very concerned about the failure of some very important safety features of our 2021 subaru outback touring edition. We were involved in a bad car accident caused by a person under the influence who was in handcuffs when we were taken away by ambulance. As you can see by the photos, there…”
“First battery drain in car. Bought a new battery and it drained again for the second time. Called suburu to ask about a parasitic drain from the dcm and they said it was likely that and told me to call suburu america. Did that but they wanted me to take it to a suburu dealer to get the problem…”
“Thermo control valve failure- contact subaru of cherry hill, nj for inspection 177,4xx miles p26a5 code check engine light on, disabled safety systems (eyesight system), car may have overheated if not pulled over and turned off. Part of warranty extension but did not qualify due to mileage.”
“Thermo control valve failure- contact subaru of cherry hill, nj for inspection 177,4xx miles p26a5 code check engine light on, disabled safety systems (eyesight system), car may have overheated if not pulled over and turned off. Part of warranty extension but did not qualify due to mileage.”
“The failure involves the engine (powertrain), which was under warranty. The vehicle has experienced four catastrophic engine failures resulting in sudden loss of power, including at highway speeds (65–75 mph). The most recent failure also involved an oil-saturated catalytic converter. These…”
“The failure involves the engine (powertrain), which was under warranty. The vehicle has experienced four catastrophic engine failures resulting in sudden loss of power, including at highway speeds (65–75 mph). The most recent failure also involved an oil-saturated catalytic converter. These…”
“The failure involves the engine (powertrain), which was under warranty. The vehicle has experienced four catastrophic engine failures resulting in sudden loss of power, including at highway speeds (65–75 mph). The most recent failure also involved an oil-saturated catalytic converter. These…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2021 Subaru Outback as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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