2021 SUBARU OUTBACK Complaints and Recall Information
The 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK has 20 complaints and 6 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report sudden unintended acceleration during low-speed maneuvers, random transmission gear shifts without driver input, thermal control valve failure causing stalling and warning lights, and issues with the airbag system recall repairs being delayed due to unavailable parts.
Common Issues- Sudden unintended acceleration. Vehicle accelerates unexpectedly during low-speed maneuvers such as backing out of a parking space, sometimes resulting in collisions. No warning lights appear before the event.
- Random transmission shifting. Vehicle shifts from drive to first or second gear without input while driving, accompanied by engine revving and gear change noise.
- Thermal control valve failure. Causes stalling and illumination of check engine and Eyesight system warning lights; repaired by valve replacement at the dealer.
- Airbag system warning. Airbag warning light illuminates with audible chimes; owners notified for recall but reported delays in receiving parts for repair.
- Transmission failure claims. Some owners report transmission replacement needs shortly after fuel pump replacements, with vehicles becoming inoperable and warranty refusal for coverage.
- Rear window shattering. Rear driver-side window shattered spontaneously at moderate speeds without external impact, posing injury risk to passengers.
- Dealership repair refusals. Instances where dealerships refused to honor recall repairs or related fixes despite active recalls and diagnostic trouble codes present.
There are 6 recalls affecting multiple systems including airbags, automatic transmission components, and driveline parts. Recall issues generally impact occupant safety systems and the transmission, with repairs involving sensor replacements, part reprogramming, or part replacement.
Recalls- Airbag Occupant Detection Sensor. (NHTSA 24V227000, 118,723 vehicles) Capacitors in occupant detection sensors may crack and short circuit, preventing front passenger airbags from deploying during a crash. The risk is increased injury from airbag non-deployment. Dealers will replace sensors free of charge.
- Inhibitor Switch Welding Defect. (NHTSA 23V755000, 95,830 vehicles) Inhibitor switch may fail due to water intrusion caused by insufficient welds, disabling reverse lights and rearview camera, increasing crash risk. Dealers will replace the switch at no cost.
- Transmission Control Unit Programming Error. (NHTSA 22V485000, 182 vehicles) Programming error may allow clutch engagement before drive chain is clamped, risking chain slippage or breakage and loss of drive power. Dealers will reprogram and inspect, replacing transmission if necessary at no charge. This recall expands prior campaign 21V-955.
- CVT Select Lever Cable Nut. (NHTSA 21V024000, 383 vehicles) The CVT select lever cable nut may loosen, causing selector malfunction and increasing crash risk. Dealers will inspect and tighten the nut free of charge.
Owners dealing with repeated transmission or stalling issues, safety defects involving airbags or unintended acceleration, or delays in recall repairs may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Those facing unresolved problems should consider consulting with a consumer protection attorney experienced in lemon law cases.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK Summary
2021
Model Year
20
Total Complaints
4
Total Recalls
215118
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
118723 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
95830 vehicles affected
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.
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.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
182 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
383 vehicles affected
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.
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.
Complaints
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2127981AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2117603ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While slowly backing out of a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on it's own - I do not recall pressing on the accelerator but the engine surged and the vehicle rapidly reversed and struck 4 other parked cars. It felt as if the accelerator became stuck and would not respond to braking. No warning light or dashboard alerts appeared. Subaru eyesight and adaptive cruise control were not engaged at the time. There was no known obstruction under the petals. This felt like a serious malfunction and could have caused serious injury. I am reporting this in case it is part of a wider issue affecting this model and because i see that there are multiple complaints to you about sudden unintended acceleration, especially during low speed maneuvers like backing out a parking space.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2117602ENGINE
While slowly backing out of a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on it's own - I do not recall pressing on the accelerator but the engine surged and the vehicle rapidly reversed and struck 4 other parked cars. It felt as if the accelerator became stuck and would not respond to braking. No warning light or dashboard alerts appeared. Subaru eyesight and adaptive cruise control were not engaged at the time. There was no known obstruction under the petals. This felt like a serious malfunction and could have caused serious injury. I am reporting this in case it is part of a wider issue affecting this model and because i see that there are multiple complaints to you about sudden unintended acceleration, especially during low speed maneuvers like backing out a parking space.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2117601VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
While slowly backing out of a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on it's own - I do not recall pressing on the accelerator but the engine surged and the vehicle rapidly reversed and struck 4 other parked cars. It felt as if the accelerator became stuck and would not respond to braking. No warning light or dashboard alerts appeared. Subaru eyesight and adaptive cruise control were not engaged at the time. There was no known obstruction under the petals. This felt like a serious malfunction and could have caused serious injury. I am reporting this in case it is part of a wider issue affecting this model and because i see that there are multiple complaints to you about sudden unintended acceleration, especially during low speed maneuvers like backing out a parking space.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2112933LANE DEPARTURE: SENSING SYSTEM: RADAR
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. During the failure the "Eyesight" message was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the thermal control valve had failed and needed to be replaced. The thermal control valve was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure informed of the extended warranty coverage related to the failure. The failure mileage was 18,640.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2112932ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. During the failure the "Eyesight" message was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the thermal control valve had failed and needed to be replaced. The thermal control valve was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure informed of the extended warranty coverage related to the failure. The failure mileage was 18,640.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2102444AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2096940AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2094945AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2094052UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rear driver side window shattered while I was driving. There was no outside influence, and I was driving around 35-40 miles/hour. I am reporting this because Subaru had the same incident happen multiple times on another model of their vehicles. If there was anyone sitting in the back, they would have most likely been injured.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2081994POWER TRAIN
Purchased used with just over 60k miles & have had less than a year. Vehicle still under 80k miles. Told transmission needs replaced but found service records from previous owner which shows fuel pump replaced twice at about 20k mile intervals & I am just under 20k miles past previous pump replacement. Vehicle does not run at the moment & warranty company refusing to help.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2081993UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Purchased used with just over 60k miles & have had less than a year. Vehicle still under 80k miles. Told transmission needs replaced but found service records from previous owner which shows fuel pump replaced twice at about 20k mile intervals & I am just under 20k miles past previous pump replacement. Vehicle does not run at the moment & warranty company refusing to help.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2079137FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Thermo Control Valve. Check engine light on. Eyesight Adaptive Cruise Control Automatic Emergency Braking Blind Spot Warning Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning Lane Keeping Assistance X mode Dealership would not honor repair even though there is recall it does not cover vin 63400 miles Vehicle inspected by manufacturer code P2682 Check engine light is on and eyesight warning
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2079136ENGINE
Thermo Control Valve. Check engine light on. Eyesight Adaptive Cruise Control Automatic Emergency Braking Blind Spot Warning Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning Lane Keeping Assistance X mode Dealership would not honor repair even though there is recall it does not cover vin 63400 miles Vehicle inspected by manufacturer code P2682 Check engine light is on and eyesight warning
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2079135ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Thermo Control Valve. Check engine light on. Eyesight Adaptive Cruise Control Automatic Emergency Braking Blind Spot Warning Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning Lane Keeping Assistance X mode Dealership would not honor repair even though there is recall it does not cover vin 63400 miles Vehicle inspected by manufacturer code P2682 Check engine light is on and eyesight warning
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2077019AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2069488AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2059590AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was an audible chime while a passenger was seated in the front passenger’s seat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the part was not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,800. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2057953AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2021 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2052304POWER TRAIN
I have had this happen several times on my 2021 Outback and my 2013 Outback. The dealership has never been able to recreate this issue. I will be driving (gear in D) and it randomly shifts to 1st or 2nd gear. I have been in a parking lot when it has happened or entering the interstate. I notice it because I hear the engine roar and look down to see it shifted gears. I only use D so this should never happen.