Is the 2021 Subaru Outback a bad year?
300 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Outback years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2021 Subaru Outback are in line with other Outback years. Visibility and wipers and electrical system stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 Outback owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 3,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 108 (36%) | 2k–6k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 76 (25%) | 2k–9k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 23 (8%) | 6k–19k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Collision avoidance | 29 (10%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 19 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 16 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 12 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 3,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 300 complaints: 9 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 3 report an injury · 9 say the car was towed.
19 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2021 Subaru Outback: 4
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. An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail. An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped. An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Subaru: 210
Repair instructions Subaru sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Subaru Outback. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Diagnostic procedures and availability of new Engine Control Module (ECM) reprogramming files to address DTC P2404…
Step-by-step diagnostic procedure for resolving Remote Engine Start (RES) failures for both Telematics and remote engine start equipped vehicles
Diagnostic procedures to follow and a brief questionnaire to complete when diagnosing an alleged Chain Slip condition on the TR580 and TR690 model CVT…
Jerk or judder sensation felt from the powertrain during braking with the air conditioning…
Neighbouring years
2020 Outback: 906 complaints, keep it · 2022 Outback: 466 complaints, keep it.
Every Subaru Outback year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Outback years side by side
Other Subaru models: Subaru Ascent · Subaru Crosstrek · Subaru Forester · Subaru Impreza · Subaru Legacy · Subaru WRX · Subaru XV Crosstrek. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2021 Subaru Outback a bad year?
300 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Outback years. At 3,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Subaru Outback?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: visibility and wipers (108), electrical system (76), engine (23), collision avoidance (29), speed control (19).
How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru Outback have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 24V-227), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 23V-755), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 22V-485), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 21V-024). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.