2021 SUBARU Legacy Problems

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Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

5 complaints

Dear NHTSA Team, I am writing to report a recurring and distressing issue with my Subaru Legacy 2021 which I believe raises significant safety concerns. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have experienced consistent problems with the battery. Despite replacing the battery five times, the vehicle has repeatedly stopped functioning, including a recent incident where it stalled in the middle of the road. This required me to call law enforcement and a towing service, adding considerable mental and financial stress. These unexpected breakdowns are not only inconvenient but also pose serious safety risks to myself and others on the road. I am concerned that this issue may not be isolated and could affect other Subaru owners as well. I kindly request your assistance in investigating this matter to ensure that appropriate actions are taken to address this potential defect. Please let me know if you need additional information, such as detailed records of the incidents, repair history, or communication with Subaru regarding the issue. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I appreciate your efforts in ensuring road safety and protecting vehicle owners. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Dec 28, 2024

Without any reason a random issue came up. Special feature components lit up on dashboard. Everything but “check engine lit up and the car features were disabled. Disabled items were eye sight, lane assist, ABD, electrical parking brake, hill assist, vehicle dynamics control. With all these lights on my power steering was also disabled. Took to dealer a year ago and all they did was “updated computer system. 3 months later the t started happening again but only intermittently but for past 3 days it’s been constant

Jul 29, 2024

spontaneous windshield crack. parked the car at night and there was nothing wrong with the windshield. Next day i go to drive and there is a seven inch crack starting mid way up the screen on the passenger side. There is no sign of an impact and the crack is very wide. I can get a finger nail inside the crack.

Jun 22, 2022

Info screen froze and didn't come back of for 5 minutes while driving

Nov 18, 2021

ON JANUARY 7, 2020 AT APPROXIMATELY 8AM, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHICH HAD BEEN WARMED UP AND DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MINUTES WHEN MY WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ABOUT 8 INCHES OFF CENTER. THERE WAS NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME AND NO VISIBLE OR AUDIBLE DEBRIS THAT COULD HAVE STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK WAS ABOUT 8 INCHES LONG AND RAN VERTICALLY UP THE WINDSHIELD. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE CRACK APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED BELOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WHERE THE GLASS MEETS THE PLASTIC, A LOCATION WHICH WOULD MAKE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANY DEBRIS TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK HAS NOW SPREAD TO ABOUT 14 INCHES LONG AND NOW RUNNING DIAGONALLY TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE. WEATHER WAS ABOUT 30 AND SUNNY.

Jan 07, 2021

VISIBILITY/WIPER

5 complaints

Three times within a 1 year period, the windshield cracked without an object hitting it. First time in July, 2021, second time in September, 2021, and third time in June, 2022. After the first time, I had the windshield replaced at my own expense. The second time, Subaru completed the replacement at no cost. The third time, Subaru completed the replacement but refused to pay for it, claiming that an object likely hit the windshield. However, the crack occurred overnight while the car was in my driveway. I believe the windshield is obviously defective and I should be remunerated for at least the last replacement and any future such replacements.

Jul 15, 2022

I was driving down the road and I heard a sound, and then saw a 5 inch horizontal crack, starting at the left side of the windshield and then it turned 1 inch up.... It was just above the inspection sticker. I did not hear anything hit but heard a sound. Both surfaces, inside and outside of the glass are smooth. I cannot feel any crack but can see it. I had my defroster on and it was sporadically raining and sleeting. I will be getting it repaired. Through Subaru's "goodwill program" vehicle was repaired.

Mar 09, 2022

-Purchased a Subaru Legacy in April 2021. Windshield cracked in May 2021, thought it was a fluke. Worked with insurance company to replace it with a Subaru windshield at an authorized glass replacement business. Windshield cracked again in Jan. 2022. Haven't owned this a year yet. -My safety and that of my family is at risk because this glass breaks easily and I feel unsafe driving it while working to get it fixed AGAIN. -There are known windshield problems with recent Forester, Outback, and Legacy models and pending litigation, but not on 2021 model years yet.

Jan 27, 2022

The component that failed is the windshield. The windshield has a 14 inch stress crack. The crack suddenly appeared, there was no impact. The crack interferes with the Subaru Eyesight Driver Assistance. The Subaru Eyesight Driver Assistance could malfunction while driving. The integrity of the windshield has been compromised. I brought the car to the Subaru dealership and they said it was not covered under warranty even though the car only has 6,000 miles on it. The Subaru dealership said they took pictures of the windshield and submitted them to Subaru of America. Subaru of America will not replace the windshield. According to Subaru when the windshield is replaced the Eyesight Driver Assistance must be recalibrated adding an additional expense.

Dec 10, 2021

Windshield spontaneously cracked while using defrost function on 9/9/2021. Crack started from bottom center of windshield, at the ceramic defrost line, below rubber seal. Crack approximately 6 inches long. Called Subaru within minutes and directed to take to dealership to have photo taken and submitted to Subaru for warranty work. Visited dealership and photos taken on 9/13/2021. Have been told by dealership multiple times still waiting on Subaru to approve the warranty work. Since then the crack has continued to spread and now goes up approximately 2/3rd of the windshield bottom towards top.

Oct 07, 2021

AIR BAGS

3 complaints

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Legacy. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Feb 18, 2025

Subaru has failed to remedy recall on airbags.

Nov 12, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Legacy. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Jun 11, 2024

POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

Car intermittently will studder and not go into first gear or go into second gear dangerously having car bog down and almost stall and then it violently downshifts having car RMP Hague go very high then slip and have no power to wheels and then a few seconds later go into second gear violently taking off again. Have tried taking issue to dealer but won’t even look unless check engine light comes on. Which it sometimes will for this issue and will shut back off before my short drive to dealership. Very frustrated especially being my first new car paying monthly to have this problem

Nov 21, 2025

CVT Transmission Failure. Failure occurred at approximately 66,706 miles on 5/16/25. The Check Engine and AT Temp lights appeared in the instrument cluster. The driving conditions when this happened were a safety concern. First, the vehicle would crawl, shutter, and almost stall with high RPMs when attempting to climb a hill. Second, on a level surface at any given time the vehicle would not respond then lunge forward unexpectedly. The vehicle was inspected by a Subaru Dealership and the diagnosis was "Internal failure of transmission". The transmission needs to be replaced. The same driving conditions and error codes were experienced by an AAMCO Transmission repair facility. The diagnosis was codes P0843 and P0867 present prompting the transmission to be replaced. This repair was completed on 6/4/25. The failed transmission is no longer available.

Jul 21, 2025

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

See attached document for complaint.

Nov 24, 2025

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds during colder weather, the heater failed to operate as intended. Additionally, the Eyesight system was inoperable. The check engine and other unknown warning lights were displayed. In addition, the contact stated that the engine failed to warm up as intended after being started, and the engine temperature was 107°F, which was below the normal engine temperature of 200°F. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the Thermal Control Valve needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 09-119-24; however, the vehicle was not repaired because the vehicle had a Salvaged Title. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Oct 27, 2025

ENGINE

1 complaint

Subaru has released a service bulletin regarding concerns with the Thermo Control Valve in specific vehicles. Unfortunately, individuals with vehicles bearing a rebuilt title, including myself, are required to cover expenses exceeding $2,000 out of their own pockets. Despite evidence indicating that the issue with the engine area is unrelated to the vehicle's rebuilt title, Subaru has chosen not to initiate a recall. This unequal treatment of titled vehicle owners is unjust, especially considering that these vehicles have passed all necessary local inspections and regulations to be deemed roadworthy. All vehicles falling within the designated mileage and age parameters should qualify for assistance. It is my belief that a recall must be issued, as this is a mechanical flaw present since the vehicle's initial manufacturing. In the accompanying service bulletin, Subaru acknowledges fault by stating that they have developed a more reliable and durable component. A P26A3 check engine light code.

Jul 07, 2025

AIR BAGS,SEATS

1 complaint

A Recall was issued Mar 22, 2024 for a dangerous safety issue. 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. Interim Letters Informing Owners OF THE Safety Risk Were Mailed MAY 17, 2024. Owners Will Receive A Second Letter Once THE Remedy IS Available. Owners MAY Contact Subaru Customer Service AT 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's Number FOR This Recall IS Wra-24. NHTSA issued their Recall for this problem. NHTSA Recall Number24V227000 Recall Status Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Now 8 months later Subaru drivers are still forced to drive around with this dangerous defect. This is totally unacceptable, irresponsible and local Subaru dealers have received no part for this repair and have not idea when they will ever get them. NHTSA needs to step in and get answers from Subaru and issue notices to owners with this problem of the danger involved if there is a crash and their passenger is killed because of this delay

Nov 29, 2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

ODS sensor recall still not fixed/remedy available, used heat for first time since i purchased the car, minor cracks in the windshield, car radio/monitors randomly go black, reverse camera won’t work, restarts on there own after a while

Nov 03, 2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

recall not fixed yet, what happens if a car hits me & the passenger airbags don’t work? unsafe, doesn’t seem like it’s being fixed in a timely manner

Jun 17, 2024

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

After shifting my car into reverse, I slowly started removing my foot from the brake pedal. At this time, the car started rapidly accelerating backwards so I put pressure back on the brake pedal to stop the car. When doing so, the ABS light came on my dashboard, I heard a griding sound like the car was still trying to accelerate, and there was a loud constant beep. I was able to shift the car into neutral and then into park to stop the car and then turned the car off. I contacted the dealership about the issue, but have not yet been able to further investigate or bring it into the dealership.

May 14, 2024

SERVICE BRAKES,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

2021 SUBARU LEGACY TOURING. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ISSUES WITH THE REAR AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM (RAB). See attached document for complaint

Mar 17, 2023

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

The buckle stopped working without cause. Car is only a couple years old and my child attempted to buckle themselves only to find out it didn't lock after trying to buckle in. I took car to subaru dealership and was told that they had no idea why it stopped working and it was not repairable. They attempted to fix it but couldn't figure it out. Thus I could not use this seat in my car due to the danger of not being able to have a passenger buckled. This is scary as there was no reason that the belt no longer buckled and concerns me that the other buckles may be defective, especially if we were to get into a car accident knowing that there's a chance that the buckle may not work.

Feb 17, 2023

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

The car's AEB system keeps mistaking steam from the street (such as sewer covers or construction sites) for a physical object and will activate. It has stopped my car in the middle of the street two days ago (5/31/22) and I was almost rear-ended by the car behind me. The warning system will also engage for no reason in most city driving conditions when there is no danger. It mistakes merging with cars with an imminent crash. I do not trust the system and now disable it whenever I drive as it is more likely to cause an accident than to prevent one. This has been a problem since I purchased the car. I contacted the dealer on 5/31/22 but have not heard back.

Jun 02, 2022

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

The trunk does not stay open leading to sudden closing on body and head for anyone trying to use the trunk. Leading to a concussion and multiple injuries. Dealership said to place a complaint as there has not yet been a recall for this issue. There is no warning prior to this issue occurring.

Mar 21, 2022

Injuries: 1

BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while his wife was reversing out of the garage, the rearview camera froze. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact’s wife was able to reset the rearview camera with the assistance of his daughter who looked up the information on the internet. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who completed a 504-software update; however, the failure reoccurred twice while the contact was driving from the dealer to his residence. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would either ship a head unit to the dealer for the repair of the vehicle or they would buy back the vehicle. The manufacturer followed up with the contact and informed him that they would not assist as the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V766000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the vehicle year was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

Jan 11, 2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

Battery died completely, left me stranded at a gas station. I had to call and get a jump. I've had the car 9 weeks, it only has 690 miles on it. No warning lights prior, did notice a slightly longer crank a couple days prior. I was told by the dealer that I don't drive enough, and I should keep my key at least 30 feet away when the keys are in the house, because that can silently drain the battery. I had not left any lights on or had done anything to drain the battery prior to this occurring. I drove to the gas station with no problem, upon restarting after getting gas, no power, car was dead. I couldn't even move the shifter knob into neutral.

Oct 01, 2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

There seems to be an issue with the infotainment system. The system will randomly turn off which also turns off the safety features. I would like to associate this while CarPlay is in use, but I have witnessed it happen without CarPlay. Subaru has already replaced the head unit under warranty, but the problem continues. For the cost of the car, this should not be an issue.

Sep 12, 2021

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

The contact owns 2021 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while entering the vehicle, she noticed a crack on the passenger’s side of the front windshield that expanded to the center of the windshield. The contact was unsure what caused the crack in the windshield. The contact reached out to the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle would not be repaired unless the contact paid for the glass warranty. The vehicle was not inspected nor diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,100.

Jun 10, 2021

4.6/5.0

41 reviews

SUBARU Legacy VIN Decoder — Free VIN Check Video Guide

Watch our quick SUBARU Legacy VIN decoder walkthrough. Learn how to decode any SUBARU Legacy VIN number to get full vehicle history, recall alerts, specifications, fuel economy (MPG), safety ratings, and known problems — completely free on ForCar.org.

Where to Find VIN for Problems Check

To check for problems and complaints on your 2021 SUBARU Legacy, you'll need the VIN number. Find your VIN in one of these 4 common locations.

Where to Find VIN Number on 2021 SUBARU Legacy for Problems Lookup - Dashboard, Door Jamb, Engine Bay, Documents

Understanding VIN Structure for Problem Reports

Each character in your 2021 SUBARU Legacy 17-digit VIN helps identify specific complaints and problems affecting your vehicle model.

2021 SUBARU Legacy VIN Structure for Complaint Verification - WMI, VDS, Check Digit, Model Year, Plant Code

How to Check 2021 SUBARU Legacy Problems in 3 Steps

Locate Your VIN

Find the 17-character VIN on your 2021 SUBARU Legacy dashboard (visible through windshield), door jamb, engine bay, or vehicle documents.

Review by Component

Browse owner-reported complaints organized by vehicle component (engine, transmission, brakes, electrical) to identify common issues and problem patterns for this model year.

Check Safety Issues

Review crash and fire incidents for each component to assess safety concerns. Contact your SUBARU dealer or report problems to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2021 SUBARU Legacy have?

The 2021 SUBARU Legacy currently has 30 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2021 SUBARU Legacy?

The most common problems reported for the 2021 SUBARU Legacy are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2021 SUBARU Legacy problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2021 SUBARU Legacy comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

How do I report problems with my 2021 SUBARU Legacy?

You can report safety problems with your 2021 SUBARU Legacy directly to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov or call 1-888-327-4236. Your complaint helps identify patterns and may lead to recalls or investigations.

Where can I find my VIN to check problems?

Your 2021 SUBARU Legacy VIN is located in 4 places: (1) Dashboard near windshield on driver's side, (2) Driver's door jamb sticker, (3) Engine bay, (4) Vehicle registration and insurance documents.

Is the 2021 SUBARU Legacy reliable?

Reliability can be assessed by reviewing the number and severity of owner complaints for the 2021 SUBARU Legacy. Check complaints by component, crash reports, and fire incidents above to evaluate potential issues and problem patterns.