{"id":"2021_subaru_outback","make":"Subaru","make_slug":"subaru","model":"Outback","model_slug":"outback","year":2021,"url":"/subaru/outback/2021/","pts":["gas"],"configs":[{"id":42858,"model":"Outback AWD","pt":"gas","drive":"All-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (AV-S8)","cyl":4,"displ":2.5,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":26,"hwy":33,"comb":29,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","co2":308,"fe_score":6,"ghg_score":6,"fuel_cost":2150,"save_spend":500,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"FJX","modified":"Mon Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2021"},{"id":42859,"model":"Outback AWD","pt":"gas","drive":"All-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (AV-S8)","cyl":4,"displ":2.4,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":true,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":23,"hwy":30,"comb":26,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","co2":343,"fe_score":5,"ghg_score":5,"fuel_cost":2400,"save_spend":-750,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"FJX","modified":"Mon Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2021"}],"vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","segment":"Compact SUV","recalls":[{"campaign":"24V227000","component":"AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER","mfr":"Subaru of America, Inc.","reported":"2024-03-22","owner_notified":"2025-02-03","units":118723,"summary":"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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"WRA-24","initiated_by":"ODI","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"23V755000","component":"POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH","mfr":"Subaru of America, Inc.","reported":"2023-11-09","owner_notified":"2024-01-08","units":95830,"summary":"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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"WRQ-23","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"22V485000","component":"POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)","mfr":"Subaru of America, Inc.","reported":"2022-07-08","owner_notified":"2022-08-24","units":182,"summary":"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.","consequence":"An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.","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 is WRK-22.  This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"WRK-22","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"21V024000","component":"POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD","mfr":"Subaru of America, Inc.","reported":"2021-01-26","owner_notified":"2021-02-12","units":383,"summary":"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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"WRA-21","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"}],"recall_count":4,"critical_count":0,"park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"score":68,"grade":"D","complaints":{"count":296,"crash":9,"fire":1,"injured":4,"deaths":0,"comps":[["Visibility/Wiper",97],["Electrical System",75],["Unspecified",65],["Forward Collision Avoidance",43],["Engine",21],["Vehicle Speed Control",19]],"by_year":{"2020":5,"2021":103,"2022":61,"2023":56,"2024":37,"2025":20,"2026":14},"excerpts":[["2021-07-30","Electrical System","Problem has occurred twice when I put my cellphone in the same pocket as my key fob. The car will not start when I press the start button, although the ignition will be on and the dashboard instruments light up. Even if I separate the fob from the phone, it won't start. Holding the keyfob right up to the start button w\u2026"],["2021-07-29","Visibility/Wiper","While driving on residential street, I heard a pop and saw my windshield crack. My speed at the time of this incident was 30mph. There was no impact with a foreign object. Crack is in front of the Eyesight camera and is affecting the functionality of vehicle's safety features. This is a 2021 Outback with approximately \u2026"],["2021-07-22","Forward Collision Avoidance","Subaru has apparently integrated their Eyesight Collision avoidance system with their infotainment system and the infotainment system crashes constantly. When it crashes about 50% of the time Eyesight goes offline and kicks cruise control off. At highway speeds this is VERY dangerous. The vehicle will slow down 5-10 mp\u2026"]]},"investigations":[],"ncap":[{"desc":"SUV AWD","overall":5,"frontal":5,"side":5,"rollover":4,"rollover_risk":0.185,"seats":5,"fcw":"Standard","ldw":"Standard","aeb":"Standard","esc":"","backup_cam":"","variant":null}],"popularity":27,"headline":{"range":null,"mpg":29,"ncap":5,"complaints":296},"presskit_trims":[],"generated_at":"2026-09-11 05:01 UTC","sources":["EPA fueleconomy.gov","NHTSA recalls","NHTSA complaints","NHTSA NCAP","NHTSA investigations"]}