NHTSA lists 296 complaints for the 2021 Subaru Outback, 9 of them mention a crash and 1 mention a fire. 3 complaints mention an injury, with 4 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as SUBARU OUTBACK.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| electrical electronic | 92 | 31.1% | 0.94 |
|---|
| mechanical failure | 81 | 27.4% | 0.56 |
|---|
| structural or corrosion | 49 | 16.6% | 0.44 |
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| loss of control | 32 | 10.8% | 0.88 |
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| visibility or lighting | 20 | 6.8% | 0.60 |
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| restraint or airbag | 15 | 5.1% | 0.89 |
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| fluid or fuel leak | 3 | 1.0% | 0.70 |
|---|
| unclear | 2 | 0.7% | 0.77 |
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| fire or overheating | 1 | 0.3% | 1.00 |
|---|
| noise or comfort | 1 | 0.3% | 0.69 |
|---|
Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| low | 143 | 48.3% | 0.75 |
|---|
| moderate | 139 | 47.0% | 0.81 |
|---|
| high | 14 | 4.7% | 0.90 |
|---|
Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 296 tagged complaints of 296 complaints (100.0%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
4 recalls.
Date: 2024-03-22. Systems: AIR BAGS.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2023-11-09. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2022-07-08. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Defect: 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. (excerpt)
Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
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 (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2021-01-26. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
488 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 285 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 146 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 63 |
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| ENGINE | 53 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 50 |
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| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 29 |
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| SEATS | 24 |
|---|
| AIR BAGS | 21 |
|---|
11037943
Date: 2026-10-05. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
11037942
Date: 2026-09-28. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN.
This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
11037938
Date: 2026-09-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
"This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
11037940
Date: 2026-09-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
11037930
Date: 2026-09-15. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
11037927
Date: 2026-09-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
11037928
Date: 2026-09-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen 3.1 Head Unit used in the listed models and model years to (8) eight years / 150,000 miles to cover certain qualifying repairs to the infotainment audio system
11037929
Date: 2026-09-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
11036822
Date: 2026-08-31. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of surface rust accumulating in the top center retaining nut area of the front strut mounts. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
11036823
Date: 2026-08-31. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability and provides a software update installation procedure to optimize the new Gen 4 Denso CP1 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models listed.This is an revised version of the original bulletin.