2021 Subaru Outback: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 394 complaints
394
Total Complaints
3,250mi
Median Mileage
Visibility/Wiper
Top Issue
16
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
932
25th Percentile
3,250
Median Mileage
14,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Visibility/Wiper
97
Electrical System
68
Unknown Or Other
58
Engine
19
Vehicle Speed Control
17
Automatic Emergency Braking
17
Air Bags
15
Warnings
13
Adaptive Cruise Control
12
Fuel/Propulsion System
10
Severity Assessment
16
Crashes
2
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"I HAD THE CAR ONLY 10 DAYS FROM THE DEALERSHIP, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ON THE HIGHWAY HEADING TO AN EVENT WHEN WE HEARD A CRACK, I LOOKED UP AND THERE WAS A HORIZONTAL CRACK HEADING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT IN THE WINDSHIELD."
"I HAD THE CAR ONLY 10 DAYS FROM THE DEALERSHIP, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ON THE HIGHWAY HEADING TO AN EVENT WHEN WE HEARD A CRACK, I LOOKED UP AND THERE WAS A HORIZONTAL CRACK HEADING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT IN THE WINDSHIELD."
"I HAD THE CAR ONLY 10 DAYS FROM THE DEALERSHIP, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ON THE HIGHWAY HEADING TO AN EVENT WHEN WE HEARD A CRACK, I LOOKED UP AND THERE WAS A HORIZONTAL CRACK HEADING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT IN THE WINDSHIELD."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Visibility/Wiper
97 complaints
25th: 1,375 mi
Median: 3,000 mi
75th: 5,750 mi
Electrical System
68 complaints
25th: 750 mi
Median: 2,500 mi
75th: 11,000 mi
Unknown Or Other
58 complaints
25th: 823 mi
Median: 2,250 mi
75th: 3,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
17 complaints
Median: 16,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 42
NC: 27
MD: 23
TX: 22
CO: 20
FL: 18
NY: 18
VA: 15
IL: 14
WI: 13
Who Files Complaints?
1%
Original Owners
99%
Second+ Owners
Subaru Outback — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (4)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod
Campaign 21V024000 | 26/01/2021
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.
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.
Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Campaign 22V485000 | 08/07/2022
An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
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
Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Campaign 23V755000 | 09/11/2023
An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Front Passenger
Campaign 24V227000 | 22/03/2024
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Maintain Visibility
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Replace wiper blades every 6-12 months
- Keep the washer fluid reservoir full — use winter-rated fluid in cold climates
- Clean the inside of the windshield quarterly to reduce glare
- Address windshield chips immediately — they spread with temperature changes
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28