NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Subaru Outback. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
JUST GOT A NEW CAR IN JAN 2021. WINDSHIELD GOT CHIPPED EASILY. I ALREADY TRIED WITH GLASSES REPAIR KIT SEVERAL TIMES. AND RECENTLY IT GOT CRACKED LINE (AROUND 30CM 90 DEGREE). THE SAME ROUTE TO WORK I DROVE WITH MY OLD 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 AND NEVER GOT ANY CHIP FOR 6 YEARS. UNTIL I GOT THIS NEW 2021 OUTACK, I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FOR LESS THAN 60 DAYS OF DRIVING. ONE OF MY FRIENDS GOT THE SAME TRIM OF CAR THE SAME MONTH ALSO GO REPLACED WINDSHIELD LAST WEEK. THE ROUTE IS ON HWY880 FROM FREMONT TO SAN JOSE, CA AREA.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 2 MONTHS THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON MY 2021 OUTBACK HAS CRACKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BOTH TIMES HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. NOT DRIVING THROUGH A CONSTRUCTION AREA OR ANYTHING. JUST DRIVING AND HEAR A NOICE AND SEE A 12 INCH CRACK. UPLOADING 2 IMAGES ONE IS FROM TODAY AND THE OTHER IS FROM 2/5/2021.
SPONTANEOUS CRACK IN LOWER PART OF WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE. CRACK WAS OBSERVED AFTER CLOSING DOOR WHILE PARKED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A CRACK FORMED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF WINDSHIELD WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK OBSTRUCTED HER VISION WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED HER INSURANCE PROVIDER AND HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. RECENTLY, WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH, ANOTHER CRACK FORMED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD, WITHOUT IMPACT. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,500.
WINDSHIELD FAILED TWICE IN FIRST SIX WEEKS, DEALER REPLACED IT ONCE, IT LASTED 9 DAYS, BOTH TIMES WINDSHIELD BROKE IN SNOW STORM WITH DEFROSTER ON HIGH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKES ENGAGED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HYMAN BROS. SUBARU (11960 MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE, MIDLOTHIAN, VA 23113) WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EYESIGHT BY THE REAR VIEW MIRROR NEEDED TO BE RECALIBRATED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER UNREPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900.
PURCHASED THE CAR 7 DAYS AGO. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES SO FAR. WENT OUT TO START THE CAR THIS MORNING AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. NO LIGHTS HAD BEEN LEFT ON. CAR NEEDED TO BE JUMPED.
ON MARCH 12, 2021, I WAS SITTING IN MY IDLE 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK WHEN I HEARD A QUICK POP SOUND. WHEN I LOOKED UP, THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD. I CURRENTLY HAVE 3600 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE CRACK IS VERY LINEAR. THE CAR WASN'T RUNNING AND THE WEATHER WAS PLEASANT AROUND 65 DEGREES.
I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS. IT HAS SEVEN THOUSAND MILES ON IT. A CRACK APPEARED OVERNIGHT AT THE LEFT SIDE (DRIVERS SIDE) TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO ROCK AND DAMAGED DETECTED. IT JUST HAPPENED ON ITS OWN.
CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED ON WINDSHIELD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SHE NOTICED A BUBBLE IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED APPROXIMATELY TWELVE INCHES WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM ARMSTRONG SUBARU (2321 U.S. HWY 70 SW, HICKORY, NC 28602, (828) 322-9372) WHERE THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD BEEN IMPACTED BY AN UNKNOWN OBJECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800.*DT*JB CONSUMER STATED WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN REPLACED.*JB
CRACKED WINDSHIELD WITHOUT IMPACT FROM BOTTOM THEY REPLACED IT BUT WITHIN A WEEK SECOND ONE CRACKED.
EARLY IN FEBRUARY, MY CAR STARTED TO SEND ME INTERMITTENAT ERROR MASSAGES STATING THAT THE TIRES HAD LOST PRESSURE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE SOFTWARE, AND THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY THOUGHT THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT. THE NEXT FIX INVOLVED REPLACING THE MODULE THAT MONITORS THE TIRE PRESSURE. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM EITHER. IT HAS BEEN OVER A MONTH SINCE THE PROBLEM STARTED. AND THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE ISSUE.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT 1200 MILES. CRACK STARTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. CRACK APPEARED WHEN ENTERING THE CAR. WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THEN THERE WAS A CRACK
I BOUGHT A NEW CAR IN DECEMBER 2020. ONE DAY IN JAN 2021, I NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY HAD DIED. I JUMP STARTED IT AND THEN IN FEBRUARY 2021, I HAD TO JUMPSTART IT 3 TIMES. AT LEAST THE LAST INSTANCE, I WAS CAREFUL TO CHECK NO INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ON, AND IT STILL HAPPENED. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. I HOPE THAT FIXES IT.
I BOUGHT THIS 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK IN JAN 2, 2021. IN MID FEB, I DROVE THE OUTBACK TO LAKE TAHOE. ON MY WAY, I WENT TO COSTCO GAS STATION FOR GAS AFTER 1 HOUR HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE CAR WAS JUST DEAD AFTER REFUELING. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE NOT KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS JUMPSTARTED. I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE MY TRIP AND BACK HOME. AFTER I WAS BACK HOME, I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER THAT SOLD THE CAR. I WAS TOLD IT WAS BATTERY PROBLEM AND A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED. A FEW WEEKS LATER, MY CAR COULDN'T START IN MY GARAGE ON A SATURDAY MORNING. I HAD TO JUMPSTART THE CAR USING A HANDHELD BATTERY MYSELF. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I THINK SUBARU OUTBACK HAS A DEFECT IN ELECTRIC SYSTEM THAT DRAIN THE BATTERY.
I WAS JUST DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE WINDSHIELD STARTED CRACKING ON IT'S OWN. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE AT ALL PRIOR TO THE EVENT. NO DEBRIS HIT THE WINDSHIELD IT JUST STARTED CRACKING AND THE CRACK RAPIDLY GREW OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MINUTES TO A SIZE OF 10 INCHES.
The infotainment system is so buggy and slow it's dangerously distracting. It crashes all the time and takes a few minutes to reboot which is not good when you're using navigation. The volume randomly will go to 100% and the only way to fix it is to restart the car. I've had it happen maybe 10 times. It's very startling and it's painful to the ears. The most dangerous problem with the infotainment system, however, is how inconsistently slow it is. When you tap to open the HVAC menu, for example, it can take 1-45 seconds to open. That means you have to keep your eyes off the road waiting for a response. If you don't, the menu disappears right away. Then when you're waiting for a response, the driver monitor starts beeping loudly and flashes "Stay Alert". Even Subaru's own safety systems think the response time is unacceptable. I called Subaru about the issue but their primary purpose just seems to be deflecting complaints and and gaslighting. We've been expecting fixes for years and it never comes. Either Subaru doesn't know how to fix it or they don't want to. The system falls under the 3/36 warranty which means that by the time the find a fix, most of the cars won't be covered.
POSSESSION OF NEW VEHICLE WAS TAKEN 1/13/21. DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING ON 1/18/21, WINDSHIELD EXPERIENCED A SURFACE CHIP AND WAS REPAIRED THE SAME DAY BY AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN. DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING ON 1/29/21, WINDSHIELD EXPERIENCED ANOTHER CHIP IN DIFFERENT LOCATION WHICH TURNED INTO AN APPROXIMATELY 10 INCH CRACK MINUTES LATER, BEYOND REPAIR. WINDSHIELD HAS NOT YET BEEN REPLACED.
The battery does not hold a charge. I have had to have AAA charge my battery on 10 occasions in the fourteen months since I purchased this vehicle. I also have had to have the battery jumped by friends to start the car. The battery was replaced by the dealership in early September 2021, claiming it was a deflected battery and I should have no more battery problems. The replaced battery has not held a charge either. There is no warning, just a dead battery. i have been informed by Subaru that the cause of a dead battery is because the car is not driven every day. I am retired and have no need to drive every day. However, when I have been able to start the car and use it frequently the battery still dies. The car is not safe to drive when the battery is unreliable.
I believe the computer system malfunctions. It is available for inspection upon request. The first problem noticed was the automatic door locking system. Since this is keyless entry, putting your hand in the driver's door handle unlocks the driver's door with accompanying 2 beeps (setting I have chosen). But intermittently my passenger door also unlocks when my passenger puts their hand in their door handle(adds either 1 or 2 beeps to my 2 beeps). Dealer could not duplicate. They assumed I had it set wrong. Dealer confirmed setting was set to driver's door only. I have it set to driver's door only for anti carjacking. I also had an incident when starting the car that only the driver's front speaker was on and it was a HORRIBLE loud tinny, staticy sound. I turned my radio on and off repeatedly. Cleared to normal after 1 mile of driving. Sometimes several of my Apps are greyed out when starting the car. After 5 minutes of travel they will usually become active. I had one episode of the digital and analog speedometers not matching. The analog was 5 over the digital. When stopped at a light my analog was at 5 mph. Most of the time my analog is 1 sometimes 2 miles more than digital. Also, normal operation is that music continues to play until the driver's door is opened. Twice I have had music turn off when ignition is turned off. It has been to the dealer once, but they didn't find anything. These problems started after a month of ownership. It currently has 2600 miles after 6 months of ownership. I drive 3 miles round trip to work, with occassional trips across the state to see family. It is unknown how many different ways the safety of the driver and occupants could be affected with a malfunctioning computer system. When will it do something unexpected that has serious consequences? The dealer is completely unconcerned which does anger me.
THIS IS AN ISSUE WE EXPERIENCED WITH AN EXPLODING SUNROOF OF OUR NEW SUBARU OUTBACK. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 22, 2020. WITHIN DAYS OF THE PURCHASE, ON DECEMBER 27, 2020, THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. BOTH THE SUNROOF AND INTERIOR SUNROOF COVERING WERE CLOSED AT THE TIME. THE FRACTURED GLASS WAS BROKEN OUTWARD WHICH LEADS US TO BELIEVE THIS IS A VEHICLE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY REFERRED US TO SUBARU CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS.
MULTIPLE TIMES ISSUE WITH BATTERY NOT PROVIDING SUFFICIENT CHARGE TO START THE CAR RESULTING IN INCONVENIENCE, STRESS AND MENTAL AGONY. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE THE CAR WAS NOT PERFORMING AS PER COMMITTED STANDARDS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS HAVE GOTTEN AFFECTED. ALSO THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING ACID FUMES CAUSING HEALTH RELATED HAZARDS. THIS DESPITE KEEPING THE CAR RUNNING IN IDLE MULTIPLE TIMES. FURTHER WHEN GIVEN TO TINDOL SUBARU THEY DID NOT RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BUT BLAMED ME FOR NOT RUNNING THE CAR ENOUGH WHICH IS A LIE AND FALSE. THEY SIMPLY KEPT THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND RETURNED IT TO ME!! I HAVE HAD CAR COLD CRANKED 5 TO 6 TIMES IN 2 MONTHS TILL BATTERY WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED.
The car was built & sold new, with the rear suspension not aligned properly, and cannot be aligned to factory specifications. The car has been taken to 4 service stations, 3 Subaru dealer service repair shops, without being able to be aligned.after further investigation, I’ve found this to be a common problem for this vehicle type. I consider this Safety related due to the unusual tire wear & risk of tire failure.
BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND BASICALLY PARKED THE CAR IN MY GARAGE A/O 23 NOV 2020. I TRAVEL FOR WORK MOST OF THE TIME. BETWEEN 3 - 7 DEC, THE CAR WAS USED BY MY EX-HUSBAND FOR TWO TRIPS TO THE AIRPORT TO PICK ME UP/DROP OFF FROM/FOR A BUSINESS TRIP AND FOR ME TO DROP OFF THE TITLE OF MY OLD CAR. ON 21 DEC, AFTER BEING PARKED IN THE GARAGE FOR THREE WEEKS (SINCE 7 DEC), MY EX-HUSBAND NOTICED IN THE GARAGE AS HE WAS GETTING IN THE CAR TO HEAD TO THE AIRPORT TO PICK ME UP FROM MY 3-WEEK BUSINESS TRIP, SAW A 1 1/2 FOOT LONG CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD ORIGINATING BY THE WINDSHIELD PERIMETER FRAME (PASSENGER SIDE).
A DESIGN FLAW IN THE REMOTE (REQUIRED FOR BOTH KEYLESS ENTRY AND VEHICLE OPERATION) LEADS TO ACCIDENTAL TRUNK OPENINGS DUE TO "POCKET TRUNK OPENING". THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT COULD LEAD TO HUMANS OR ANIMALS ENTERING THE VEHICLE, AS WELL AS A POTENTIAL ROUTE TO WATER DAMAGE. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND LOCKED, AND THE KEY IS IN ONE'S POCKET AND IN RANGE (EG IN A HOUSE NEAR THE DRIVEWAY)
BRAND NEW 2021 OUTBACK PREMIER @ 647 MILES AND WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT IN OUR PRIVATE DRIVEWAY WE NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED THE NEXT MORNING. LESS THAN 7 DAYS OF OWNERSHIP DEALER CLAIMS IT WAS A ROCK CHIP . THE WINDSHIELD IS SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCREEN. DEALER RESPONSE IS INSULTING. ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE GLASS. DEALER PUSHED THEIR EXPENSIVE INSURANCE TO COVER WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR. WE DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS A RECURRING ISSUE AT THIS TIME WITH THE CARS. IF WE HAD KNOWN WE WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THIS CAR. IT WILL ALWAYS BE AN ISSUE. WILL IT CRACK AGAIN? WHO PAYS, WILL IT LEAVE US STRANDED SOMEWHERE? SUBARU DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WILLING TO STAND BY ITS PRODUCT AND TAKE CARE OF ITS CUSTOMERS
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while coming out of a full stop, the vehicle would stall without warning. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,500.
I HAD THE CAR ONLY 10 DAYS FROM THE DEALERSHIP, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ON THE HIGHWAY HEADING TO AN EVENT WHEN WE HEARD A CRACK, I LOOKED UP AND THERE WAS A HORIZONTAL CRACK HEADING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT IN THE WINDSHIELD.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY TWO TIMES. HAD TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD TWICE AND HAD TO RECALIBRATE EYESITE CAMERAS BOTH TIMES. ONE TIME HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND THE OTHER TIME PARKED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STOCKER SUBARU (1454 DREIBELBIS ST, STATE COLLEGE, PA 16801, (814) 954-7320) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAD LINT OR DUST EMBEDDED INSIDE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ENGINEER INSPECTED THE WINDSHIELD AND STATED THE WINDSHIELD WAS ACCEPTABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A GIFT CARD WAS PROVIDED TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE WAS 600.*DT THE CONSUMER STATED CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ASKING FOR A REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD AND REQUEST WAS DENIED. *TR
Loud cabin roar since purchase. Diagnosed on 11/1/2022 to be front right wheel bearing being bad (not damaged/worn) at 40k miles
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 60-75 MPH, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving downhill with adaptive cruise mode activated. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 25.
I believe there is a software defect associated with the infotainment system. The system also includes car information such as car data, audio/radio, navigation as well as other items related to modern car's functionality. The issue is when a mobile is plugged into one of the two from USB port, the infotainment will randomly reboot itself. When this happens the screen turns black/bland while rebooting occurs. This can happen even while the vehicle is in motion possibly causing severe distraction resulting a safety issue. (Imaging driving down the highway and your car reboots without warning.) Reboot takes about two minutes during this time the vehicle is drill drivable but is very disconcerting to the driver. This issue is also a major topic with online forums such as www.subaruoutback.org under the Gen 6: 2020-Future section. https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/2020-outback-software-gigathread.517684/page-340#post-6235066 Attempts to reach the dealership has not proven to be resolvable.
This 021' outback XXX purchased in 023'/ 24k Mi Freehold subaru. freehold NJ 'if purchased new would've been on the desk of a local lemon law attorney by now. Over the few years the lock unlock function of key fobs stubbornly, randomly & repeadedly dont work. Freehold subaru saw no problem. Front passenger window months ago wouldn't go up. Freehold subaru supposed repaired at a cost to me. Recent cold weather with a brand new battery of 6 Mos old rendered the car unable to start or boost. Vehicle towed to Freehold tire center st freehold NJ, replaced a $400 battery. brought the 6 mo. old battery back to auto zone who load tested and advised nothing Wrong w battery? Not to mention the sub standard BS feature of coming to a stop, foot on brake & engine stopping-starting when proceeding? this is something of concern of being rolled over by an approaching truck in the rear of this 021' outback because 3 times when stopping at a red light the engine shut off and when proceeding, foot off the brake the engine wouldn't re-start & all the indicators on instrument cluster lit up, had to restart the car. Recent event where my wife, [XXX] old legally disabled- primary driver comes out of a store, starts the outback, puts in reverse to back out of a spot and the car dies. This vehicle is being brought into Freehold subaru south st. Freehold NJ Tues morning Apr. 21st 026' south st and is not being picked up due to it being unsafe to operate. Until all the issues are corrected. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026