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Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2021 Subaru Outback 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: 4
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 298
Latest campaign: Mar 22, 2024

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Power train	3	Nov 9, 2023	23V755000 22V485000 21V024000
Air bags	1	Mar 22, 2024	24V227000

Safety recalls4

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
Jan 26, 202121V024000	Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V024000 What's wrong 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. Campaign NHTSA 21V024000 · Jan 26, 2021

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).

Buying a used 2021 Subaru Outback? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component298

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

298Complaints filed

9Involving a crash

2Involving a fire

4Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Visibility/wiper	97	33	1	0	0
Electrical system	76	26	2	1	1
Unknown or other	66	22	3	1	2
Forward collision avoidance	29	10	2	0	1
Engine	21	7	1	1	0
Vehicle speed control	19	6	5	0	2
Air bags	16	5	1	0	2
Power train	12	4	1	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	10	3	2	0	0
Visibility	10	3	0	0	0
Structure	7	2	0	0	0
Lane departure	7	2	0	0	0
Service brakes	7	2	1	0	0
Wheels	6	2	0	0	0
Steering	5	2	0	0	0

6 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

Electrical system
“Battery died multiple times. A DMC module went bad.”
Filed 10/14/2026 · ODI 11771017
Unknown or other
“My car caught fire this morning. It had been making a little noise but nothing I thought couldn't wait til the next service.”
Filed 10/13/2026 · ODI 11770844
Electrical system
“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.”
Filed 08/26/2026 · ODI 11759871

Other Subaru Outback model years

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Other Subaru models

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2021 Subaru Outback recall questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru Outback have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Subaru Outback. 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 Outback recalls for?

The largest group is power train, with 3 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 Outback?

Visibility/wiper is the most-reported component, named in 97 complaints out of 298 filed with NHTSA (33%). Across all complaints, owners reported 9 crashs and 2 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

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

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.

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