Sixth generation (BT)
2021 Subaru Outback
The most reported problem on the 2021 Subaru Outback is windshield, with 105 complaints, usually around 4,000 miles.
- 296owner complaints
- 4recalls
- 9involved a crash
- 6,500median miles at failure
Newest report Aug 26, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Outback doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2021 model year.
Is the 2021 Subaru Outback reliable?
The 2021 Subaru Outback has 296 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 1.4 times the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Outback model years since 2014, it has the 8th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- The 2021 is a low point between its neighbors: 49 complaints for each year on the road, where the 2020 has 128 and the 2022 has 93.
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: windshield, named in 105 of the 296 complaints (35%). Windshield tends to show up early. Of the 34 owners who gave a mileage for it, half were under about 4,000 miles and a quarter under about 2,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 11 of the 296 complaints (4%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 9 reports mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 4 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as windshield, dead battery and infotainment. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2021 at 103 and have dropped every year since, to 20 in 2025. So far in 2026, 14 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: windshield cracks or distorts, 105 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
296 complaints is 1.6 times the median 2021 model on this site and 1.4 times the median 2021 SUV. Among the 13 Outback model years here it ranks 8th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 Subaru Outback
Subaru filed 480 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Subaru Outback. 29 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Windshield cracks or distorts 2 bulletins · 105 complaints
This bulletin announces availability of new door window regulator assemblies and door glass run channel seals in response to limited concerns of erratic operation of the anti-entrapment feature and / or the door glass either not closing or closing very slowly.
This announcement is in regard to settlement in a class action lawsuit for vehicles that will receive a limited warranty extension for original equipment Subaru windshields experiencing a qualifying crack.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 9 bulletins · 27 complaints
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
This bulletin announces the design change made to the Center Information Display (CID) assemblies developed to address the following symptoms. 1. Illumination malfunction of the adjustment knobs and/or buttons (no illumination or flash/ flicker). 2.
7 more on this problem
This Service Information Bulletin is to inform you of the diagnosis procedure of the CP1/ CP1.5 Infotainment System when DTC B2256 is detected.
This Service Information Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns.
This Service Information Bulletin addresses isolated customer concerns regarding the pictured CP1 BASE Model Center Information Display (CID) LOWER 7-inch display screen flashing, not responding to touch inputs and / or shutting off intermittently.
This Service Information Bulletin is to inform you of the diagnosis procedure of the Harman Infotainment System when DTC B2256 is detected.
This bulletin addresses isolated customer concerns regarding the pictured CP1 BASEModel Center Information Display (CID) LOWER 7-inchdisplay screen flashing, not responding to touch inputs and / or shutting off intermittently.
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
This bulletin provides helpful tips to use when diagnosing customer concerns which may arise when operating the new-generation Denso CP1 Multimedia Navigation (AVN) & Display Audio (DA) systems.
Car won't start 1 bulletin · 11 complaints
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.This is an revised ...
Check engine light or misfire 9 bulletins · 10 complaints
This bulletin announces the design change made to the high-pressure fuel pump developed to prevent DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure – Too Low Bank 1). (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
This bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in conjunction with the applicable Service Manual.
7 more on this problem
This Bulletin announces a correction to the diagnostic procedures for certain CVT related DTCs, including P0730, P0746, P0747, P0841, P0846, P0867, P1867, P1894, and P2723.
This bulletin announces the availability of new oxygen sensors developed to address the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) detected by the Engine Control Module: • P0137: O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage Bank 1 Sensor 2 • P0138: O2 Sensor Circuit High ...
This bulletin announces availability of new reprograming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) developed to remedy the following DTCs: • P0016: Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 1 Sensor A • P0017: Crankshaft Position - Camshaft ...
This bulletin announces the availability of new oxygen sensors developed to address the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs);
This bulletin announces the availability of new reprogramming files developed to address cases of DTC P0890 (TCM Power Relay Sense Circuit Low) detected by the Engine Control Module (ECM).
This bulletin the announces availability of new reprogramming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) developed to address cases of DTC P04AE (EVAP System Purge Control Valve âBâ Performance / Stuck Open).
This Service Information Bulletin announces diagnostic service procedures to be followed when DTC P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1) is detected by the Engine Control Module (ECM).
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 2 bulletins · 7 complaints
This bulletin announces a design change made to the front brake pads developed to reduce any brake pulsation and/or vibration felt during brake operation.
This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been developed to reduce unnecessary brake caliper replacement.
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 5 bulletins · 5 complaints
This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address SYMPTOM 1: A jerk or judder sensation felt from the powertrain during braking with the air conditioning on.
This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
3 more on this problem
This Service Information bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address the two symptoms described below: SYMPTOM 1: A jerk or judder sensation felt from the powertrain during braking with the air conditioning on.
This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address symptoms which a jerk or judder sensation can be felt from the powertrain during braking with air conditioning on, or a shudder felt from the powertrain along with a ...
Engine overheats or leaks coolant 1 bulletin · 5 complaints
This Bulletin announces the Service Manual Correction for the diagnostic procedures to be followed when performing diagnostic repairs for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P26A6 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve “A” Position Sensor Circuit Low) and P26A7 (Engine ...
Complaints filed by year
103 complaints came in 2021, 20.6 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2021 Subaru Outback
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
All 4 recalls on the 2021 Subaru Outback, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 Subaru Outback?
Windshield, with 105 of the 296 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 4,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 Subaru Outback problems start?
Of the 97 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 2,000 miles and half by about 6,000.
Is the 2021 Subaru Outback better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has fewer complaints than both the 2020 and the 2022: 49 a year against 128 and 93.
How many 2021 Subaru Outback complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
11 of them (4%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for windshield on the 2021 Subaru Outback?
No recall on file for the 2021 Subaru Outback is on the same system as windshield. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.