Model year
2021 Subaru Outback
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 298 complaints for the 2021 Subaru Outback (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are VISIBILITY/WIPER (97), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (73), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (66). NHTSA rated the SUV AWD 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 26–29 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,300–$2,600, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2018 816 complaints
- 2019 1,036 complaints
- 2020 901 complaints
- 2021 298 complaints
- 2022 465 complaints
- 2023 89 complaints
- 2024 104 complaints
- 2025 83 complaints
- 2026 20 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
24V227000 · Mar 22, 2024
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.
23V755000 · Nov 9, 2023
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.
22V485000 · Jul 8, 2022
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CHAIN/BELT; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
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.
21V024000 · Jan 26, 2021
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.
Complaints
298 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 9, fire flag on 2, injury field 4, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.185 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback AWD · 2.5L · Automatic (AV-S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 33 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Outback AWD · 2.4L · Automatic (AV-S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 Subaru Outback at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.