2021 Subaru Outback problems and complaints
Owners have filed 296 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Subaru Outback. The most-reported areas: Visibility/Wiper (97), Electrical System (75), Unknown Or Other (65).
Key takeaways
- 296 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 9 involve a crash, 1 a fire, 4 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 97 | 33% |
| Electrical System | 75 | 25% |
| Unknown Or Other | 65 | 22% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 29 | 10% |
| Engine | 21 | 7% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 19 | 6% |
| Air Bags | 16 | 5% |
| Power Train | 12 | 4% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 | 3% |
| Visibility | 10 | 3% |
| Structure | 7 | 2% |
| Lane Departure | 7 | 2% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Subaru Outback SUV AWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Electrical System - filed 2026-08-26
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 ...
Power Train,engine - filed 2026-08-20
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 ...
Electrical System,unknown Or Other - filed 2026-08-16
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 motion, causing the steering wheel to become extremely difficult to turn. The first incident occurred ...
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More for the 2021 Subaru Outback
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.