The redesign sorted out, with far fewer complaints
Complaints fall by about two thirds from 2020. Windshield cracks still show up but less often, and the battery drain reports mostly disappear. Some owners mention adaptive cruise and lane keeping acting up. This is the newer Outback to buy.
Updated November 2026 · based on 299 owner complaints and 4 recalls
193 47% below the Outback average
4 free to fix at a dealer
Every Outback year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2021 Outback
Top problems and what they cost
Windshield cracks
Still the top complaint, though much less common than before.
Fix: Windshield plus calibration $800 to $1,500.
Visibility
Driver assist warnings
Adaptive cruise or lane assist turns off with a warning, often in rain or glare.
Fix: Usually a calibration or software update, often free under warranty.
Collision avoidance
Shift and transmission recalls
Recalls covered the shift linkage and transmission control software.
Fix: Recall repair, free.
Transmission
Recalls
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.
An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2021 Subaru Outback
- Confirm recalls 21V024, 22V485 and 23V755 show as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2021 Outback has 4 recalls on record, listed below.
- Test adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive.The automatic emergency braking system can brake hard for no reason, called phantom braking. Testing it around parked cars and overpasses shows whether this car does it.29 of the 299 owner complaints about the 2021 Outback involve the automatic braking system (10%).
- Check the windshield for cracks.Windshields on some of these cars crack easily. On cars with camera safety systems, a new windshield also needs the cameras recalibrated, which can cost $800 to $1,500.Owners filed 78 complaints about windshield cracking on the 2021 Outback.
- Make sure the car stays in Park on a slope.This checks the shifter and parking lock. On some models a faulty switch shows "Shift to Park" or the car can roll if Park does not fully engage.12 of the 299 owner complaints about the 2021 Outback involve the shifter and transmission (4%).
Questions
Is the 2021 Subaru Outback reliable?
The redesign sorted out, with far fewer complaints. Complaints fall by about two thirds from 2020. Windshield cracks still show up but less often, and the battery drain reports mostly disappear. Some owners mention adaptive cruise and lane keeping acting up. This is the newer Outback to buy.
How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru Outback have?
4 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2021 Subaru Outback problems?
Windshield cracks; Driver assist warnings; Shift and transmission recalls.
Crash rating shown for the 2021 Subaru Outback SUV AWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.