Recalls · problems · safety

2021 Subaru Outback: recalls and problems

4 recalls and 300 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is visibility/wiper.

4recalls
300complaints
9crashes reported
2fires reported
4injuries reported

Recalls

Check recalls for your exact VIN

Most common problems

  • Visibility/Wiper98 · 33%
  • Electrical System76 · 25%
  • Unknown Or Other67 · 22%
  • Forward Collision Avoidance29 · 10%
  • Engine21 · 7%
  • Vehicle Speed Control19 · 6%
  • Air Bags16 · 5%
  • Power Train12 · 4%
  • Fuel/Propulsion System10 · 3%
  • Visibility10 · 3%

What owners report

Visibility/Wiper

Windshield wiper fluid level sensor will not turn off even though reservoir is full

Unknown Or Other Fire

My car caught fire this morning. it had been making a little noise but nothing i thought couldn't wait til the next service. it started to have a smell, and then while i was waiting at a light with my son in the car, i noticed smoke from under the hood. i turned around and parked in a parking lot. the smoke got worse. my son and i got out of the car and moved away from it. as soon as i saw flames i called 911. the fi

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. when the brake was released after the light turned green, the engine did not restart, leaving it stopped in the travel lane in live traffic. the driver had to use a portable jump starter to get it running again. this was not isolated — repeated failure-to-start inc

Power Train,Engine

Good day! i bought my 2021 subaru outback xt onyx in jan 2021. i had waiting 6 yrs for subaru to use the turbo motor in the outback again. i've had this car for 5 years with my warranty running out jan 2026, but i only drive 5000-7000 miles per/yr. current odometer is 29,901 miles. at my most recent oil change service at the dealer, they showed me a video of my cars drivetrain from underneath. there were two bad seal

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. They are owner reports and have not been verified.

Crash-test ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2021 Subaru Outback SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Source: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP APIs, covering Outback. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.