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#BS-2021-SUBOUT-192E2021 Subaru OutbackProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 418 owners and 4 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 418 complaints, 22 crashes, 3 fires, and 4 recalls. Complaint rate is 1.8x the class average.
Top reported problems
battery has needed repeated charges
18 complaints • Severity 7.6/10
battery dies
9 complaints • Severity 7.8/10
radio nav shuts down
7 complaints • Severity 6.9/10
jerky transmission
3 complaints • Severity 9.3/10
infotainment and hvac screens shut off
2 complaints • Severity 9/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
98 owners reported visibility issues — failures commonly reported around 4K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (64 reports) • Median: 4K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Visibility (98 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2021 Subaru Outback: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Visibility Issues
Visibility complaints account for 23% of all reports filed for the 2021 Subaru Outback, with 98 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 3,600 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 4K-mile mark.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 17% of all reports filed for the 2021 Subaru Outback, with 73 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2021 Subaru Outback, with 23 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Speed Control Issues
Speed Control complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 2021 Subaru Outback, with 19 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to speed control-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2021 Subaru Outback. Recent trend: stable.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (4 recalls)
POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD
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.
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.
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.
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.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2021 Subaru Outback NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
The worst model year for the Subaru Outback is the 2013 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is electrical.
2021 Subaru Outback vs. Class Average (Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD)
This vehicle
418
Class avg
226
1.8x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical small sport utility vehicle 4wd vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 418 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 4 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated . NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Subaru Outback Model Years
2021 Subaru Outback: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2021 Subaru Outback Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 418 owner reports. Know before you buy.