Complaint volume
289 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 Subaru Outback Complaints
289 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Subaru Outback, grouped by component category.
289 Total complaints
7 Crash reports
1 Fire reports
2 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are visibility/wiper, electrical system, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 7 crash reports, 1 fire report, 2 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 60 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 8,787 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to visibility/wiper, electrical system, unknown or other?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 Subaru Outback?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 Subaru Outback
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Subaru Outback complaints?
7 Crash
1 Fire
2 Injury
0 Fatality
6 Towed
0 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Subaru Outback complaint categories?
VISIBILITY/WIPER 86
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 44
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 37
AIR BAGS 14
VISIBILITY 10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 6
ENGINE 4
POWER TRAIN 3
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 3
289 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Tried to start outback and nothing, no clicking for battery dying, just nothing. Tried again and again, no noise in engine at all. Waited 2 minutes longer and it finally turned over and started. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Both passenger and driver doors leak water onto floor while using the car wash. The dealership has replaced the door moldings but it still leaks. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Issues with both driver and passenger windows. There are times when windows don’t close all the way or just go back down. Wind and rain while driving is very unpleasant. This has been addressed 3 times at dealership and still we have issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Infotainment screen goes blank. It has been addressed at dealership but still happens. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The moonroof glass exploded yesterday in my parking lot. I contacted local dealers and they refused to cover it under factory warranty. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Car experienced unintended acceleration and the pre-collision safety system failed to engage. Car accelerated into a building and the driver stopped car's attempt to continue forward progress by taking the car out of drive mode. The pre-collision system failed completely. The Electronic Control Units seemed to fail entirely. This happened while pulling into a parking space at a very low rate to speed (until the car "took off"). | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | AIR BAGS | Passenger seat air bag system does not recognize my wife at times. She weighs some where around 100 pounds. Sometime the “The passenger is here light” comes on right a way, sometimes with in a mile and sometime never. Talk to the Subaru services rep. He said there was nothing they could about it. I told him I would bring the car in and leave for days so they could check it out, he told if I wanted to waste my time to go a head. Looking online this has been a safety problem for sometime that Subaru won’t do anything about. Like most safety issues someone will have to die before something is done. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Hit a pothole while driving at highway speeds, that resulted in a large crack in the windshield. there are no visible chips in the windshield, just a large (approx. 5") crack that has since expanded. We have gotten a quote to replace it from a few repair shops and each one quoted roughly $1500. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | STEERING | The contact's wife owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced loss of power steering as the power steering warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, that the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,500. The VIN was not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 17,500 |
| Mar 2023 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Windshield cracked for second time, no warning given. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Defective windshield. I purchased my Subaru Outback XT from the Subaru dealership in Shoreline, Washington in October 2020. Since then, the windshield has cracked 4 times beyond repair. Each time, a small hairline fracture develops and quickly spreads across the windshield until the windshield has to be replaced. I have taken the car to the Subaru dealership each time to replace the windshield. The car remains under warranty. I reached out to Subaru of America after the windshield cracked for the 4th time, but I was told that the crack was a result of "outside influence". I have never had a car windshield crack until I purchased the Subaru, and 4 cracked windshields in about 2 years is beyond excessive. After doing additional research online, it appears that this is a frequent and ongoing issue with newer Subaru models possibly because the windshield used now is of a thinner material. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The front windshield of my vehicle cracked excessively after being hit by a pea sized piece of gravel while traveling less than 50 MPH. I felt that the safety of my family was put at risk as the crack quickly spread to over 8 inches in length by the end of that same day. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Subaru has a known issue with windshields being easily cracked. I purchased a new 2021 Subaru Outback Onyx XT and had to replace the windshield 2 times within the first year of owning due to cracked windshield, both happened after having a small chip from likely a small rock hitting windshield. I currently have another cracked windshield after hearing a slight hit on my windshield , after a semi truck passed me going in the opposite direction. I have had other vehicles that have had small chips after taking a slight hit from rocks and never developed cracked that required windshield replacement. Truly think that Subaru could do better and correct this issue as windshields are very expensive to replace and those who can’t afford replacement will continue to drive with potentially impaired visibility. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Traveling toll road /fwy at approx 70mph at rush hour and lost all power with Check engine light , emergency brake, lurching engine, all flashing at the same time!!! Coasted through 4 fwy lanes to offramp and service station- extreme danger!!! How was there no pile up with me going from 70-10 to coasting on a busy 15 Northbound fwy at 7:30 am?????? Was in toll lane and crossed toll 3 foot sticks to exit at first available exit. 2 cars followed me off as they were concerned for my safety Towed to shop where they put in new thermo valve, gasket intake manifold, Pipe ay- fuel and gasket egr pipe 56000miles, 2 year old car 3 replaced windshields in last 6 months They said they've done 10 cars with this problem in the last year???? Insurance covered windshields , service center at Subaru inspected car | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 68 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that it was difficult while attempting to shift the gear lever out of drive(D). The contact stated that once she was able to shift the gear shifter, she shifted into park(P) to turn off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted after multiple attempts. The contact then noticed that the parking brake had engaged independently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000. The contact stated while driving on Mass Pike the Adaptive Cruise control was engaged, in the middle lane and no problems the vehicle lost power. After five minutes and traffic moving, the vehicle was trying to reboot but the emergency brake was on without anyone applying it. And the contact had a difficult time putting the vehicle into to park to restart the engine. | Crash: No Fire: No | 14,000 |
| Jan 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Vehicle was on highway in stop and go traffic when brake was applied. Auto stop-start feature engaged which turned engine off. On release of brake the auto stop-start feature failed to restart vehicle. Engine tried and failed to turn over and all console lights flashed on and off continuously. Ignition was turned off and attempted to restart car unsuccessfully. Four way hazard light button was activated and showed on dashboard as on. However, hazard lights on outside of vehicle were not on causing cars behind to not realize car was immobilized. Hazard lights malfunctioning on an immobilized vehicle on the highway is extremely unsafe. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Battery had been drained multiple times that required a jump start over the past four months. Also a new battery was purchased. No warnings we're presented before the issue occurred. The latest incident was today. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Battery of the vehicle continues to drain itself at seemingly random times. All sources that could possibly drain the battery while vehicle is not running have been turned off (dome light, tailgate light, exterior lights set to minimum time, etc...). Several times, this drainage has resulted in the car having to be jumped, so driver can get home. Car has been taken to dealer. Dealer indicates battery is fine. Took home, a few days later, battery is dead. Car does seem to struggle to turn over at times when trying to start. Lately this has been noticed while driving the car, and it engine was restarting while shutting down at stoplight (shutdown as part of limiting emmissions); had to turn the automatic shut-down feature off. Contacted local dealer again, was told that nothing can be done if battery is tested and it tests fine. We have resorted to carrying a recharging pack with the car to ensure that our kids don't get stranded with a dead battery. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | This is the second time in the two years I have owned this car that the windshield has cracked on the passenger side. The car was parked and had not been driven in three days. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Crack appeared when I entered car in parking lot. Large crack Originated from where the windshield needs the frame on the passenger side of the front window. Crack originates about in the middle of the windshield on the Passenger side and travels 5 inches horizontally and then travels north at a 90° angle for another 4 inches. When I inspected car there was no trauma no impact and no chips on the windshield near on or around the craft area. No trauma to the frame correct accent paint or chips as well near on or around the crack | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Cracked front windshield. Replaced November 2021 & cracked again November 2022 in same spot. First incident parked in garage over night & next morning hairline crack on passenger side that continued across the window. 2nd incident, drove to work, parked & came out at lunch with a hairline crack lower left passenger side. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | WHEELS | Loud cabin roar since purchase. Diagnosed on 11/1/2022 to be front right wheel bearing being bad (not damaged/worn) at 40k miles | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | My 2021 outback has now died on me 5 times now leaving me strand at different places. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My car battery dies prematurely. I am about to have my third battery since buying the car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Spontaneous windshield crack developed beginning on drivers side edge of windshield. dealer confirmed that there was no sign of impact to cause the crack and agreed to replace windshield free of charge. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |