Reliable Auto DB

2021 Subaru Outback reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2021 Subaru Outback has 296 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 75 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Outback years here — over the median of the other years, which is 56. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Front passenger seat weight sensor, Park/neutral start switch, and Transmission control module.

2012 Subaru Outback
Photo by Vauxford, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

296

Per year

75

Recalls

4

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (97 of 296), then Electrical system (75) and Forward collision avoidance (29). Those filings include 9 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 3 that report an injury.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 Outback has 897 complaints, 240 per year, and the 2022 has 463 complaints, 132 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Subaru Outback. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (4)

Recall Front passenger seat weight sensor 2024-03-22 · NHTSA campaign 24V227000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, park/neutral start switch 2023-11-09 · NHTSA campaign 23V755000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, transmission control module 2022-07-08 · NHTSA campaign 22V485000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall powertrain, shift linkage 2021-01-26 · NHTSA campaign 21V024000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (296 total)

Visibility and wipers
97
Electrical system
75
Forward collision avoidance
29
Engine
21
Speed control
19
Air bags
16
Powertrain
12
Fuel and propulsion system
10
Visibility
10
Lane departure
7
Service brakes
7
Structure
7
Wheels
6
Steering
5
Back-over prevention
4
Exterior lighting
4
Engine and engine cooling
2
Suspension
2
Parking brake
1
Seats
1
Show 12 more Show less
Crash-flagged

9

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

3

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

520201032021612022562023372024202025142026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-08-26
  • "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…"
    Powertrain, Engine · filed 2026-08-20
  • "I am reporting a serious and intermittent steering safety issue with my 2021 Subaru Outback. On two separate occasions, the vehicle suddenly lost what appeared to be power-steering assistance while the vehicle was in…"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2026-08-16
  • "The contact owned 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH turning a right hand corner into a shopping center, the vehicle began to accelerate without the contacts consent. and the contact…"
    Speed control · filed 2026-08-07
  • "My 2021 Subaru Outback suffered a failure of the Oil Control Valve (OCV), a sealed Subaru component with no maintenance interval, no inspection procedure, and no preventative service. This failure allowed engine oil to…"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2026-07-31

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 Subaru Outback SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Outback all-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S8) All-wheel drive 23 30 26 MPG $2500
Outback all-wheel drive 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S8) All-wheel drive 26 33 29 MPG $2250

Specs and fitment

6th generation (BT), 2020–present
Body styles Wagon
Oil 0W-20 synthetic (2.4L turbo and 2.5L; 5W-30 if 0W-20 unavailable) , 5.1 qt capacity
Tire size 225/65R17 to 225/60R18 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 3,500 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V-766 covers certain 2020 Legacy and Outback models with mid- or high-grade multimedia navigation when an August 2020 over-the-air update can time out and corrupt data, intermittently shutting off the rearview display and failing FMVSS 111. Subaru's remedy is software reprogramming and, if needed, replacement of the cockpit control module (recall WRH-20). Recall 22V-485 covers certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles: Transmission Control Unit programming may engage the clutch before the drive chain is fully clamped, risking chain slip or break and loss of drive; dealers reprogram the TCU and replace the transmission if damage is found. Recall 24V-227 covers certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles: an Occupant Detection System sensor capacitor may short and prevent passenger air bag deployment; dealers replace the ODS sensors. Legacy and Outback share these campaign unit totals.

Compare

Previous year 2020 Subaru Outback Next year 2022 Subaru Outback See every Subaru Outback model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback reliable?

The 2021 Subaru Outback has 296 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 75 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Outback years here — over the median of the other years, which is 56. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Front passenger seat weight sensor, Park/neutral start switch, and Transmission control module.

What are common problems with a 2021 Subaru Outback?

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (97 of 296), then Electrical system (75) and Forward collision avoidance (29). Those filings include 9 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 3 that report an injury.

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 Outback has 897 complaints, 240 per year, and the 2022 has 463 complaints, 132 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 Subaru Outback been recalled?

The 2021 Subaru Outback has 4 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Subaru Outback?

Owners have filed 296 complaints about the 2021 Subaru Outback with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Subaru Outback get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Subaru Outback is 27.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a Subaru Outback use?

US manuals specify 0W-20 synthetic for recent FB and turbo engines, with temporary 5W-30 only when 0W-20 is unavailable.

What does NHTSA recall 19V-008 cover on the Subaru Outback?

Recall 19V-008 covers certain 2010-2014 Subaru Outback and Legacy vehicles (among other Subaru models) sold or ever registered in listed Zone B states: the front passenger air bag inflator may explode during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin.

What generation is the 2013 Subaru Outback?

4th generation (BR) (2012-2014).