2021 Subaru Outback: Problems & Reliability
The 2021 Subaru Outback has 299 NHTSA owner complaints, 455 manufacturer service bulletins, and 4 recall campaigns on federal record, led by visibility/wiper and electrical system issues. Among the 12 Subaru Outback model years with federal records, it ranks 8th by combined complaint and bulletin volume.
Sources: NHTSA complaints (ODI), manufacturer service bulletins, recall campaigns, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Updated 2026-11-05 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
299
NHTSA complaints
455
Service bulletins
4
Recall campaigns
—
Avg. buyer-paid
Most-reported problem areas on the 2021 Subaru Outback
Visibility/Wiper — 98 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
Electrical System — 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
Unknown Or Other — 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
How the 2021 compares to adjacent years
Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume. Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Subaru Outback years to avoid.
Know what to pay for the right 2021 Subaru Outback — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2021 Subaru Outback reliable?
The 2021 Subaru Outback has 299 NHTSA owner complaints, 455 manufacturer service bulletins, and 4 recall campaigns on federal record, led by visibility/wiper and electrical system issues. Among the 12 Subaru Outback model years with federal records, it ranks 8th by combined complaint and bulletin volume. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Subaru Outback?
The most-reported problem areas for the 2021 Subaru Outback in NHTSA owner complaints are visibility/wiper, electrical system, unknown or other. Service bulletins (455 on file) show what the manufacturer issued repair guidance for.
Does the 2021 Subaru Outback have recalls?
Yes — 4 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2021 Subaru Outback. Recall completion is VIN-specific: run the exact VIN to see whether the work was actually done on the car you're considering.
Is the 2021 Subaru Outback a good year to buy?
The 2021 sits mid-pack among Subaru Outback model years on the federal record; the 2024 and 2025 years have the cleanest records. Judge the specific car: run the VIN and get an inspection.
How do I check a specific 2021 Subaru Outback before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.