Representative model. Photo: Cutlass, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2021 Subaru Legacy recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2021 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 3
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 31
Latest campaign: Mar 22, 2024

Recall summary by component3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Power train	2	Nov 9, 2023	23V755000 22V485000
Air bags	1	Mar 22, 2024	24V227000

Safety recalls3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Mar 22, 2024Latest campaign


Mar 22, 202424V227000	Air bags: sensor occupant classification An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 24V227000 What's wrong 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. Campaign NHTSA 24V227000 · Mar 22, 2024
Nov 9, 202323V755000	Power train: automatic transmission park/neutral start interlock switch An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 23V755000 What's wrong 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. Campaign NHTSA 23V755000 · Nov 9, 2023
Jul 8, 202222V485000	Power train: automatic transmission control module (tcm/PCM/tecm) An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V485000 What's wrong 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. Campaign NHTSA 22V485000 · Jul 8, 2022

Mar 22, 202424V227000

Air bags: sensor occupant classification

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

DetailsHide details for campaign 24V227000

What's wrong: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 24V227000 · Mar 22, 2024

Nov 9, 202323V755000

Power train: automatic transmission park/neutral start interlock switch

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

DetailsHide details for campaign 23V755000

What's wrong: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 23V755000 · Nov 9, 2023

Jul 8, 202222V485000

Power train: automatic transmission control module (tcm/PCM/tecm)

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

DetailsHide details for campaign 22V485000

What's wrong: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 22V485000 · Jul 8, 2022

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Subaru recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component31

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

31Complaints filed

0Involving a crash

0Involving a fire

1Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Injuries
Unknown or other	7	23	1
Air bags	6	19	0
Electrical system	5	16	0
Visibility/wiper	5	16	0
Engine	2	6	0
Power train	2	6	0
Back over prevention	2	6	0
Service brakes	2	6	0
Forward collision avoidance	2	6	0
Suspension	1	3	0
Engine and engine cooling	1	3	0
Seats	1	3	0
Vehicle speed control	1	3	0
Equipment	1	3	0
Seat belts	1	3	0

2 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Engine
“Vehicle: 2021 Subaru Legacy Base 2.5i Mileage:~65,000 miles My engine suddenly began making loud internal knocking/tapping noises with no warning lights, no overheating, and no prior symptoms.”
Filed 06/04/2026 · ODI 11742064
Suspension
“See attached document for complaint.”
Filed 11/24/2025 · ODI 11701212
Power train
“Car intermittently will studder and not go into first gear or go into second gear dangerously having car bog down and almost stall and then it violently downshifts having car RMP Hague go very high then slip and have no…”
Filed 11/21/2025 · ODI 11700919

Other Subaru Legacy model years

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2021 Subaru Legacy recall questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru Legacy have?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Subaru Legacy. The most recent, 24V227000 (reported March 22, 2024), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2021 Subaru Legacy recalls for?

The largest group is power train, with 2 campaigns. Others: air bags (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Subaru Legacy?

Unknown or other is the most-reported component, named in 7 complaints out of 31 filed with NHTSA (23%). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2021 Subaru Legacy?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Subaru recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Subaru dealer.

Check a specific Subaru by VIN

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