How many problems does the 2021 SUBARU Outback have?

The 2021 SUBARU Outback currently has 282 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 Outback?

The most common problems reported for the 2021 SUBARU Outback 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 Outback problem data come from?

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

2021 SUBARU Outback Problems

VISIBILITY/WIPER

86 complaints

I was driving when I heard a loud explosion sound. I first thought a rock or gunshot hit my car and pulled over to examine my car. I checked all around the car and didn't notice any damage on the side of my car but then I noticed that my sunroof was shattered. The glass was pushed outward which meant that it was not hit by an object. Luckily, my interior cover to my sunroof was closed at the time so I was not harmed.

Nov 26, 2024

Since owning this vehicle, we have replaced the windshield at least once a year. The first due to a 1/16th inch chip that evolved into a 10 inch crack over the course of a day. The second was a crack from driver side pillar that appeared overnight, no chips prior. Third was a 8" crack from passenger pillar that appeared overnight while garage parked, after a day, it grew to reach the center of the windshield. I think it's unacceptable that windshields can just crack overnight less than a year after install. It's beyond concerning knowing that our windshield could crack at anytime, or that superficial chips must be taken care of IMMEDIATELY or we run the risk of replacing the entire windshield.

Oct 14, 2024

Driving home on a farm road, a truck passed by, picking up a pebble that hit my windshield. On my other vehicles, that same impact would leave a chip on the windshield but due to its light thickness, it immediately formed a long crack that is continually growing in size as it is currently my daily commuter to work. That was a huge bummer given I had purchased it recently and it didn't have any blemishes on the windshield. The pebble hit the upper driver side part which led the crack to form out toward the roof and is going diagonal to the passenger side below the visor.

Aug 05, 2024

Windshield cracked under heat from parking in sun. The windshield spontaneously cracked when wiper fluid was turned on after parking on hot (85F) day. The whole windshield spidered indicating it is under extreme stress.

Jun 11, 2024

The windshield developed a crack. It initially started with what appeared to be a small rock impacting the bottom of the windshield where the wipers rest on the glass. The area of impact was the size of a small rock. A crack started forming and going upwards towards the roof of the car. Due to the heat in Alabama, the crack grew from 3 inches to approximately 9 inches. No safety features have been effected. I do commute 160 miles total for work, daily, so a crack that large necessarily creates a dangerous driving situation.

May 29, 2024

+ 81 more complaints for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

44 complaints

Battery keeps draining if car isn't driven for a few days battery is drained to point of it being dead, cannot get into car, will not start, leaves you stranded. This is the fourth time this year, dealer checks it out tells me nothing is wrong. I have read many problems with parasitic battery drain with subaru's even that the alternator is programed not to fully charge the battery to save gas. getting tired of the issue to the point where I am thinking of selling the car and finding something that will not leave me stranded. This time when I checked the battery voltage it was 5.80 volts and .29 amps.

Sep 16, 2024

Parasitic Draw on battery: Original battery was dead after sitting 5 days; Bought new AMG and it has also died after 4 days sitting.

Aug 31, 2024

Battery drains quickly and renders the car inoperable. Possibly due to Controller Area Network (CAN) not entering sleep mode when vehicle is not being used resulting in a parasitic battery drain.

Aug 29, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to jumpstart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with battery failure. The contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

Jun 10, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the starter motor was making an abnormal clicking sound. The contact stated that after several attempts the vehicle was started. Additionally, the contact stated that at times the instrument cluster was blank. The contact stated that he purchased a battery charger and recharged the battery; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that once he had fully charged the battery the vehicle was started; however, sometimes the vehicle failed to shut off and the battery terminals had to be disconnected. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed that the OE battery was not sufficiently powerful to start the vehicle and provide power all the electrical functions. The dealer installed a new battery with more amperage and new cables. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was informed by the dealer that the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.

May 31, 2024

+ 39 more complaints for this component

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

36 complaints

I was stopped at a stop sign and the car shut off as the auto on/off function. When I went to drive the car did not re-start as the battery needed replaced. I was left stranded in an intersection. The battery did need to be replaced. The auto start/stop feature is a saftey hazzard on any vehicle

Nov 04, 2025

The rear driver side window shattered while I was driving. There was no outside influence, and I was driving around 35-40 miles/hour. I am reporting this because Subaru had the same incident happen multiple times on another model of their vehicles. If there was anyone sitting in the back, they would have most likely been injured.

May 23, 2025

2021 Subaru Outback Limited | ~13000 miles | Component: Battery | Car suddenly stopped and ALL warning lights started flashing at a busy traffic signal, while I was waiting to take a left turn (lucky to have escaped safely from that situation). I had to turn the car off and restart it. 2 days later, the car would not start at all. Tried jumping it multiple time in vain. Had to tow the car to the nearest Subaru service center. Technician ran a diagnostic and concluded that the battery was not holding any charge at all and it was deemed faulty. Reading many posts on reddit and other forums of many Subaru owners facing the same issue from older (2015) to newer models. Many of them also complained of Parasitic drain on the battery due to faulty DCM on Starlink. Note: there was no warning lights/messages or any other symptom before this. This was a Subaru certified pre-owned car that went through a 152 point inspection in 2023.

Aug 12, 2024

Front windshield on my 2021 outback has numerous large cracks for no reason. This is a known issue via Google and class action law suits for windshields. This is a safety issue and needs to be addressed. I emailed Subaru and filed a complaint with them, Case#240708-220236. Asking them to replace windshield with new one that won't crack like this one. i have photos if needed.

Jul 09, 2024

Windshield breaks way too easy. Rock chips happen easily, then they spread across the whole windshield. I am on my 2nd one and this one needs to be replaced too.

May 06, 2024

+ 31 more complaints for this component

AIR BAGS

13 complaints

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. 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.

Sep 09, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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 23, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. 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 04, 2025

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

May 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Mar 26, 2025

+ 8 more complaints for this component

VISIBILITY

10 complaints

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, she became aware that the front windshield had suddenly cracked, extending from the center of the windshield to the passenger’s side bezel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the crack was the result of the impact of a small, unknown object. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V712000 (Visibility), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000.

Dec 22, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that on three separate occasions the windshield cracked without impact. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer after each failure and was informed each time that a rock chip might have caused the failure. The contact purchased a carbon steel film after which he was informed would prevent the windshield from breaking in the event of another cracked windshield, with the purchase of this protective film, he could have a total of 4 windshield replacements free of charge. The contact stated that each failure obstructed his vision while driving. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

Apr 28, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed a crack on the center passenger’s side of the windshield. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the windshield to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure with the new windshields. The contact stated he had the windshield replaced a total of three times. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

Apr 06, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that there was a crack on the windshield. There was no impact to the windshield that could have caused the crack. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that a rock chipped the windshield. The dealer informed the contact that the windshield crack was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but denied the claim for the windshield replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

Jan 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH approaching a traffic light, the contact heard an abnormal cracking sound coming from the front windshield. The contact noticed a small crack on the driver’s side of the windshield that spread to the middle of the windshield. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who stated that the failure was related to a thinner OEM breakable glass on the vehicle that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,400.

Jan 05, 2022

+ 5 more complaints for this component

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

6 complaints

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 68 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that it was difficult while attempting to shift the gear lever out of drive(D). The contact stated that once she was able to shift the gear shifter, she shifted into park(P) to turn off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted after multiple attempts. The contact then noticed that the parking brake had engaged independently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000. The contact stated while driving on Mass Pike the Adaptive Cruise control was engaged, in the middle lane and no problems the vehicle lost power. After five minutes and traffic moving, the vehicle was trying to reboot but the emergency brake was on without anyone applying it. And the contact had a difficult time putting the vehicle into to park to restart the engine.

Feb 03, 2023

*Eyesight system detects collision hazard and applies brakes when entering certain curves. *Unexpected braking in curve, particularly when roadway is wet poses a danger to driver and other motorists. *Not reproduced by dealer or service center, problem is captured on dashcam video. *Vehicle has been inspected by dealer *Eyesight system seems to "glitch" frequently, causing a variety of warning lamps on dashboard, full shutdown of infotainment system, and disabling all built in eyesight safety features.

Mar 28, 2022

The Subaru Eyesight system malfunctioned while I was driving. All Eyesight components were enabled at the time of the incident, including pre collision braking and forward collision warning. I had been stopped at a red light at a four way intersection. I was the first car waiting at the red light, with other cars behind me and to each side. The intersection had multiple lanes in each direction. There were four lanes going the direction I was driving, and I was in the second from the right. When the traffic light turned green, I took my foot off the brake and onto the gas to begin accelerating. I accelerated through the large intersection reaching approximately 20 miles per hour. The speed limit is 25 or 30 there so I was continuing to accelerate to that speed and was just about through the intersection when the pre collision braking suddenly engaged with no warning at all. My foot was still on the gas trying to accelerate when this happened. All of the lights that show on the windshield seemed to light up red, and it showed that the pre collision braking had engaged on the dashboard screen behind the steering wheel. The car came to an immediate stop in the middle of the road and would not move forward. I took my foot off the gas and my car would still not move. My dashboard said something along the lines of “firmly press brake to hold stop.” I hit the brake, then everything returned to normal and I could move forward. I moved forward, safely switched to the right lane and pulled into the nearest driveway to get off the road and park. I then disabled all Eyesight features and called my Subaru dealership who said they will “diagnose and recalibrate” the system on 1/14/2022. My car and windshield were clean and my windshield is the same from the factory with no defects. No cars were in front of my- the road ahead was wide open, clear, flat, and straight. No one turned in front of me or anything. Fortunately I was not rear ended but it was very scary and dangerous.

Jan 07, 2022

The emergency braking forward collision system has deployed several times when it should not. In some circumstance the braking could result in the person behind me rear ending me. The main problem is that if the car detects another car directly in front of you, the system will sometimes deploy even if the vehicle is not in the same lane as you. I've had the emergency brakes deployed incorrectly in the following situations. I am driving in the left lane of a 2 lane road with a speed limit of 45 mph and the road is banking sharply to the left. Because of the sharp bank, a car was directly in front of me but in the right lane, so this is a normal non dangerous situation but the brakes deployed. I exited a parkway, the exit ramp banks sharply to the right as most exit ramps do. Directly ahead of me but off the road is a disabled vehicle. There is no danger to me as it is safely off the road, but the brakes were deployed. In both instances there was no one following close behind me but if there was, either situation could have resulted in them rear ending me. I have taken to disabling the emergency braking feature because I no longer feel safe using it. Unfortunately this takes 7 key presses to accomplish and it resets every time you turn the car on. I contacted Subaru customer service to complain, but got ridiculous suggestions, like just turn off the emergency braking when you expect to be driving with a lot of cross traffic. If not rectified, sooner or later that's going to cause an accident.

Oct 22, 2021

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 mph between when the system crashes and when someone realizes what has happened in order to put their foot on the gas pedal to keep their speed up. I've almost been rear-ended multiple times now because of this. Subaru has been aware of this issue for TWO FULL model years now and is going into a 3rd year with the SAME problem. The update they issues in Spring 2021 made the problem worse not better. Subaru must be forced to either fix the issue immediately or recall the entire system and replace it before someone dies in a highspeed accident caused by this system. Until two days ago Subaru of America's employees were arrogant, condescending, and beyond unhelpful. Wendy Clough has stated Subaru plans to issue an update in August has no actual confirmed timeframe. Subaru has done NOTHING to communicate with owners or dealers on mitigation options, if any, nor to warn customers of potential risks. Subaru must be forced to notify all owners of the issue immediately.

Jul 22, 2021

+ 1 more complaint for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

5 complaints

My car battery dies prematurely. I am about to have my third battery since buying the car.

Oct 17, 2022

Vehicle infotainment system refused to start up without long delay (20 seconds or so) preventing various safety systems from initializing. This has been a recurring problem with this vehicle for two years.

Sep 20, 2022

Wind shield very very weak cracks very easy I have had for 1.5 years, I am on my 6th windshield, if any thing hits the edge of the windshield it totally cracks. Also having battery issues. on my third battery care has 47 k miles.

Sep 06, 2022

Purchased new Outback SUV in March of 2021. Currently has 4488 miles on odometer. Center console infotainment center randomly reboots at times without warning. System reboots after several seconds, but until system is restored, any function active at the time controlled from that console is unavailable (radio, navigation, etc.). Dealer has not yet inspected the car for this problem at this time. I have not been able to cause the system to reboot at will, it appears to be totally random.

Nov 25, 2021

There are multiple issues at hand. The radio system continues to randomly power off and or not work and often times the entire eyesight system crashes and shuts off when driving at highway speeds disabling the cruise control. The screen has already been replaced once but the issue is still there.

Sep 10, 2021

ENGINE

4 complaints

Thermo control valve failure. Would not cover it

Oct 16, 2024

failure/malfunction of thermo coolant control valve some of the systems safety features have been disabled making it unsafe for me to drive vehicle The car gets hot and high beams don’t work heater doesn’t work. Diagnostic was performed by independent mechanic determining this issue Warning lights on dashboard to check engine and many other lights flashed Repairs cost over $1700 which is not affordable especially since this a manufacturer defective part.

Mar 12, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The instrument panel lights illuminated then went dark. The police came but there was no police report filed. The police had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,500.

Jun 01, 2022

Bought this new Subaru in December and the battery died twice after a week and a half of not driving. The first time I had to get the battery replaced. If I don't start the car every few days (and during COVID I don't) then the electricity completely drains the battery dead.

Sep 17, 2021

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 complaints

Sunroof exploded driving home in 90 degree sunny and clear weather. It sounded like a gun went off right over my head. It scared me so bad I jerked my steering wheel into the other lane. Thank God no one was in that lane. I had to get it replaced at Mid State Glass company. according to what I found on the internet this happens rather frequently. No notification by Subaru that this was even a possibility. I have the receipt the replaced sunroof and photos of the sunroof after it exploded.

Oct 02, 2025

On[XXX] while accelerating to travel speed (45 mph) on a rural Maine highway, the little used glass moon roof of our 2021 Subaru Outback Touring with 24,100 miles on the odometer exploded with a huge, shocking BANG!. Weather was clear and bright, wind ~5 mph, temperature about 68ºF, no traffic. We never saw or heard anything strike the car, either from the road or falling down from the trees at or prior to this incident. We had the interior shade closed so no glass fell into passenger compartment thankfully. Upon inspection at the road side and discovery of the problem, the glass panel had a large hole in the middle and the edges of the remaining glass looked like it had been blown upward. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Jun 01, 2024

Passenger lower side windshield cracked while driving, it started as a tiny crack but the next morning the crack line was 16 inches long. I contacted Subaru because the car is under warranty but they said they will not cover it. The whole windshield had to be replaced.

Dec 28, 2021

POWER TRAIN

3 complaints

Wheel bearings failed at 55k miles , 5.25 years

Sep 16, 2025

I have had this happen several times on my 2021 Outback and my 2013 Outback. The dealership has never been able to recreate this issue. I will be driving (gear in D) and it randomly shifts to 1st or 2nd gear. I have been in a parking lot when it has happened or entering the interstate. I notice it because I hear the engine roar and look down to see it shifted gears. I only use D so this should never happen.

Jan 02, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V755000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Nov 21, 2023

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER

3 complaints

My windshield has cracked 3 times since vehicle was purchased, the last time within 2 months of replacement. The first 2 times the windshield was replaced by the dealership with OEM glass. There was no visible crack from rocks, etc in the last two incidences...went out in the morning to find that the windshield was cracked across half the windshield after it had been parked and no visible damage had occured beforehand in both cases. ( I have taken pictures of this last incident... insurance notified, but no inspections took place. no warning lights, etc appeared pryor to cracks)

Jun 10, 2023

Windshield suddenly cracked, starting from bottom center of the window, crack moved up about 6" and then turned 90 degrees towards passenger side and went another 6". No object hit the window or car; it just spontaneously cracked from bottom then moved upwards.

Sep 12, 2021

Crash: 1

CRACK IN WINDSHIELD APPEARED WITH NO PUNCTURE. NOTICED CRACK WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. NOTHING HAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD, PASSENGER NOTICED THE CRACK.

Apr 29, 2021

WHEELS

3 complaints

Loud cabin roar since purchase. Diagnosed on 11/1/2022 to be front right wheel bearing being bad (not damaged/worn) at 40k miles

Nov 02, 2022

DRIVING ON GROOVED CONCRETE HIGHWAY THE CAR WANDERED ALL OVER THE ROAD. IT FEELS VERY UN-SAFE AND THAT YOU ARE NOT IN CONTROL OF THE CAR. THIS STARTED THE DAY I PICK UP THE CAR 2 WEEKS AGO, 1700 MILES

Apr 29, 2021

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.

Mar 28, 2021

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 complaints

SUDDEN AACCELERATION: Cold started the car in garage, all OK. Then backed out and into turn around where I placed foot on the brake. At that moment suddenly accelerated and engine revved to 2000rpm (sounded like). I had to push down very hard on the brake pedal (where my foot already was) to stop the car before crashing into a tree. Foot was clearly on brake pedal at incident (that was the only way I could stop the car). It was not on or close to accelerator pedal and no floor mat or other objects was on or near the accelerator pedal. Very concerned about safe vehicle with this sudden acceleration. Appointment with Subaru dealer made for full diagnostic check. Dealer is White Bear Subaru, [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Sep 26, 2025

Since we bought our 2021 Subaru Outback in May 2021, the vehicle hesitates when accelerating mainly after filling up with gas but also at other times. We have taken the vehicle in 4 times for service, but Subaru cannot duplicate the problem. Another issue we are having is that every time it rains, there is a puddle of water that forms on the passenger side floor board. We have taken the vehicle in 4 times for service, but Subaru cannot duplicate the problem.

May 27, 2022

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

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.

Dec 27, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle independently accelerated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle struck the curb before coming to a stop, causing damage to the rim and tire. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000.

Apr 25, 2022

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

2 complaints

The speed control (adaptive) doesn't work. The interior heater doesn't work. Several lights including the 'check engine' light come on the dash. The lane departure system doesn't work. (It appears the thermo control value subassembly may be at fault.) The car has approximately 25K miles on it.

Dec 14, 2024

Received error code P2682, a faulty Thermo Control Valve. This happened on 11/17/2023. Car potentially could have quit running in traffic. Subaru has identified the issue with TSB 09-80-21R. They have changed the design of the valve due to the many failures. My car has 74,000 miles. My brother in law has the same vehicle with 57,000, and his car is in the shop today for the same issue. The service tech working on his vehicle stated that he does a couple of these repairs a week, and that Subaru knows this part will fail and should issue a recall

Nov 22, 2023

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 complaints

As I was approaching a T intersection and preparing to stop at the stop sign, I started to apply my brakes when all of a sudden my car accelerated and lunged forward almost into the path of oncoming traffic on the intersecting road. As I had originally started to apply my brake, it felt as if the brake dropped slightly under my foot but, as the car lunged forward, I immediately jammed on the brake so I am not 100% sure about that dropping sensation. It all happened within a matter of seconds. Anyway, jamming on the brakes stopped the forward momentum and the car stopped before actually entering the path of an oncoming car. If I had started to brake any closer to the intersection, I may not have had time to stop the car in time to avoid a broadside collision with the oncoming car. I have owned this car about a year and a half and this is the first time anything like this has happened. There was no warning lamps, messages etc at the time or prior to the incident. After the incident, my husband checked online and saw that others have described a similar experience with their Subarus and, apparently, there is an ongoing lawsuit involving this problem. This just happened last evening so I have not yet taken my car to the dealer to be inspected but plan to do so soon.

Feb 20, 2024

On Sunday, August 20, 2023 I was pulling into a parking spot in front of an Anytime Fitness at a local strip mall. As I applied the brake, the motor raced and accelerated driving me into a pillar outside of the fitness center. I was in shock, not understanding what had happened. Had I chosen to park one stall to the right, the car would have gone through the window of the business instead of the pillar. Considerable damage was done to the pillar and to my 2021 Subaru Outback, but I was not injured, and no one else was injured. I had the brakes checked at my vehicle service center and was told the brakes were functioning as they should be. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. No warning was provided by the vehicle. The crash occurred in two seconds.

Sep 05, 2023

Crash: 1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

2 complaints

My vehicle is equipped with EYESIGHT. I was driving to my home after work at night and suddenly the infotainment system screen went blank; including Braking Assist, Adaptive Cruise control, Lane assist, Emergency Braking etc including Navigation, also the HVAC shut off and EYESIGHT that controls these as well, shut off. It was suffocating in the car due to no A/C and thusf I tried to pull over at a remote text-stop place and tried restarting the car but in vain. All screens were dark, no warm air, I couldn’t see what direction I was driving to, as well as I solely relied on navigation. I brought this car for it’s safety features and warmth in this cold temperature in UPSTATE NY and this happened. I waited for 20 mins, charged my phone for only 4-5% with a fellow citizen who was waiting there as well and checked online just to see a lot of people reported the same issue with 2021 Subarus with EYESIGHT. And there is NO way one can fix it. I tried contacting the dealer but in vain. I am afraid that if this would happen again, I wouldn’t be in a situation to face this scary experience.

Dec 01, 2023

Injuries: 1

I purchased the car new in January 2021. During the first several months there were no issues. After that, the "Infotainment" system which controls the sound, nav, hvac, etc. systems would suddenly go black and those functions would stop working. It would seem to reboot as a computer does when you restart it. That was distracting but mostly just annoying, lasting less than 30 seconds. I will call that a "soft reboot." That happened many times over the next few months. On two occasions, the screen would black out and not only those systems would cease to function, it would shut down cruise control and Eyesight. Call that a "hard reboot." This was very dangerous. In traffic at 70-75 mph when the cruise control suddenly stops working, the car decelerates immediately and quickly. There are no warning signs or messages; it just goes black and shuts down those systems. Cars following would quickly be within a dangerous proximity. Not a safety issue but a hard reboot also wipes clear some settings including the nav destinations. During that period I spoke with service managers at two Subaru dealerships who said that it was a common problem and Subaru had issued a "patch" that was supposed to fix it. I live approximately an hour from the nearest dealership and had some difficulty finding a time to take it in for the upload. Finally I took it in to Scenic Subaru in Mt. Airy, NC on September 9, 2022 to get the update, with around 22,500 miles into a 36,000 mile warranty. I left the dealership at approximately 4 p.m. headed for Winston Salem, NC, approximately an hour drive. Within 5 miles from the dealership it did a soft reboot. That happened two more times. I called the dealership to advise them but it was too late to return. Then, still within an hour from the dealership, it did a hard reboot, shutting down everything as I described above. It functioned properly until it did a soft reboot today, 220 miles after the update.

Sep 16, 2022

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

2 complaints

while i am driving my cruise control will just stop working causing the auto braking feature to stop also

Oct 25, 2023

The Navigation system will randomly go blank and then restart while driving. This not only affects any navigation which is currently in progress, but also disables the Cruise Control, Eye Sight, Lane Departure and other Safety devices. This has occurred numerous times while driving on an interstate highway and is dangerous and life threatening.

Jun 03, 2022

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 complaints

I purchased a new 2021 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT in May of 2021. The headlights have been a continual problem and I cannot get a solution from the dealer. They are way too bright. It’s a safety hazard to oncoming drivers. I also believe it’s a personal security risk to me from angry drivers. And there's nothing I can do about it because I don't have my high beams activated. The headlights need to have two separate intensity settings, one for low beam and one for high beam, but they do not. Currently, the low beam and high beam use the same intensity LED. The switch between high and low beams does not change the intensity or brightness. It merely activates a motor that moves a metal plate. The plate acts as a shutter that changes the angle the lights shine so the driver has a broader field of vision. The intensity of the lights do not change. The high beams are always on even when not activated. No wonder oncoming drivers are flashing their high beams and getting angry. I have voiced my concerns to the Subaru dealer who checked my headlights and said they were properly aimed. I have voiced my concerns on the Subaru forum and found many other drivers are experiencing the same problem. Some people on that forum suggest re-aiming the headlights so they point lower. This does not solve the problem. Doing so limits visibility to a very short distance ahead of the vehicle creating a different safety issue, not being able to see objects, animals, or people in the roadway. FMVSS No. 108 requires 2 intensity settings for motor vehicle headlights. Subaru has not provided that and is in violation of that federal regulation. I am requesting that NHSTA exercise whatever regulatory authority it has to enforce this requirement including issuing a recall on the Subaru Steering Responsive Headlights. Watch 18:45 to 21:30 of this YouTube video to see the inner workings of these headlights: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Sep 20, 2023

I have issues with the headlights on my Outback. They are very bright to the point that i get flashed on a regular basis by other drivers thinking i have my brights on. Just this morning coming to work I passed someone on the Ohio Turnpike and they must of been blinded by my lights because they then got right up behind me and started following me with their brights on. These lights are a danger to other drivers and It makes me worried for my safety because of the actions of other drivers if they think I'm not turning my brights off. I told the dealer service department where I bought my car and they didn't take me seriously. I found a forum on line where other subaru drivers complain about the headlights and it goes back a couple years.

May 23, 2022

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

2 complaints

The windshield has spontaneously cracked on 4 separate occasions. Subaru denies this is a defect and claims all have been caused by rock chips. This is not true. The cracked windshield has caused the vehicle on numerous occasions to slam on its breaks while traveling at 55 mph or greater as it “senses” a collision. This has nearly caused 3 accidents so far.

Aug 15, 2023

Automatic braking system activated abruptly and forcefully when a vehicle in the adjacent lane slowed down to make a turn. This has occurred numerous time both on the highway and in city driving. I have called Subaru to report the issue. They did not recommend taking it to a service center, although I plan to. The car otherwise has shown no warning of automatic braking malfunction prior to or after the incidents. However the automatic braking system has continued to malfunction. I now deactivate the automatic braking every time I start the car to avoid further incidents. Potentially related to the automatic braking malfunction, the car regularly alerts me to keep my eyes on the road while I have my eyes on the road. Common situations when this happens include when I scan an intersection on approach for potential hazards (e.g., pedestrians, people running red lights, etc.), fixing my glasses or hat while continuing to look straight ahead, and simply scratching my face all trigger the warning. Occasionally, the warning is activated for seemingly no reason. At best, it’s a nuisance; at worst it’s a distraction and a liability. I now deactivate this feature when I start my car.

Jul 21, 2021

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 complaints

My wife turned into a parking spot slowly with her foot on the brake, and the car suddenly accelerated without warning. It went up on the curb while my wife slammed on the brake and stopped the car. She then put the car in reverse and backed into the parking spot. Came home without further incident but was very upset. I intend to question the dealer, Parkway Subaru in Wilmington, NC. I see articles online that relate problems like this to a number of different models and makes. My wife does not want the car anymore, but how can I be sure any car I replace it with does not have the same problem? 6/15/23 The contact called to add additional information to the complaint. The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while his wife was driving into a parking space at 1 MPH with her foot off the accelerator and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated. The contact stated that his wife was able to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard and bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

Jun 14, 2023

Driving at 65 mph, engine stopped taking gas, slowed to below 30 in heavy freeway traffic. Resumed normal operation in about a minute. Then failed in similar fashion 5 minutes later. Took my 2021 Subaru outback xt to the dealer where purchased. They have been unable to duplicate the issue and want me to drive the car without any fix. I refuse to do that as if it happens in a situation where I must accelerate to be safe, it is going to be disastrous. They point to no recall on the 2021 model, but had this issue for the last 3 years on many of their models. What to do?

Sep 04, 2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 complaints

When there is an alert for “low windshield” washer fluid. I receive multiple audible alerts from the car while driving. The alert will go away and then come back. I think the fluid level sloshes while driving, going above and then below the sensor repeatedly. The multiple alerts are distracting and cause alarm fatigue. I think one alert per driving session would suffice.

May 06, 2023

Windshield has needed constant repair due to either small debris or even in one instance, self-cracking. On-board unit is constantly turning off.

Jul 05, 2022

LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

2 complaints

We bought this vehicle new and since we have had issues with the infotainment shutting down multiple times while driving. The infotainment screen along with all safety features associated with the electronic panel turn off. We have taken it to the dealership multiple times and keep getting told that they can't replicate the problem. We have recorded the issue and sent proof but Subaru manufacturing keeps delaying any inquiries in hopes to bypass lemon law.

Apr 27, 2022

On 3 Occasions the Eyesight automatic braking activated with no apparent reason. The first was at highway speeds, second at 45mph and the third at about 30/35mph. In the first case a car entered the lane but there was considerable distance. In the second a car made a right turn into my lane and was slow but there was about 1/4 mile or more space and the last one occurred as, my wife, followed the curve of the road to the right. There were no vehicles near by only a median. In each case there was no gradual slow down only a full force application of the brakes. This led to the car lunging forward. Fortunately in all cases there was no one behind us or we would have been rear ended. The associated red heads-up lights activated at the very same time as the brakes did. I have called the dealer for an appointment to bring it in. No one else has inspected the vehicle.

Aug 26, 2021

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

2 complaints

I walked outside my house yesterday morning to find my 2021 Outback XT idling in the driveway. I may have failed to turn the engine off, or it may have started itself. Nonetheless, I calculate that it burned about five gallons of gasoline and probably ran all night. The car should not be able to run for hours on end! This is a clear problem--an overheated catalytic converter could start a fire, someone could have jumped in and driven away, or--much worse--it could have been running in an enclosed area and filled it with CO.. This car does have remote starting capability, so I wonder if that somehow played a role. It also has the start-stop function to save gas. I have noticed that if I stop the car and hit the start/stop button right away, it sometimes seems to stop but then runs on. I strongly believe that the car should not be able to run on like this. Couldn't Subaru build in a a timer to turn the engine off after, say, one hour? These are not police cars and do not need to be able to idle for hours on end. Thanks very much for your kind consideration!

Mar 21, 2022

The Auto-start feature, which stops the engine at a light, then restarts, is very dangerous. It cannot be permanently turned off - always on by default. 1 if the steering wheel is not perfectly straight, it jerks out of your hand when the engine restarts. 2 the car jerks forward when the engine restarts. This has already put me in danger of a crash several times - and this 'feature' must be actively disengaged each and every time the car is started. It should be able to be permanently turned off - not always on by default.

Sep 13, 2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

2 complaints

2021 outback purchased Feb 2021. Within 2 weeks the touch screen, which controls the cruise control, heating, all eyesight controls went blank. This causes cruise control at highway speed to quit, causing sudden deceleration at highways speeds. Sometime the screen reboots, most times it requires driver to pull car over to reset. This also controls GPS and Heating/Air. There have been times when I have working canines in the car and loss of air conditioner in summer months has been extremely problematic requiring pulling car off road to open windows to ventilate. Multiple trips to dealer, and open case with SOA results in no resolution, as there apparently is no fix. Recently 11/1/21 instructed when this happens to push my front defroster button five times after reboot to record codes. How distracting while driving is this? Feel like this is severely underreported as owners frustrated. Receiving dealer instruction to look at touchscreen while driving causes the cars alert function to activate saying “keep eyes on road”. Why are they advising this unsafe action? Recent software updates as late as last week of October installed and does not fix issue, verified by dealer service manager. Multiple incidents, recorded on my phone video, last incident occurred 7/12/2021.

Nov 07, 2021

My problem is an intermittent one. The infotainment display goes blank and reboots. When this happens I have lost Rear Automatic Braking, the Eyesight System, cruise control, the backup camera display and driver monitoring along with other non-safety related systems (radio, environment control). The dealer has not been able to reproduce, but has gotten error codes to send to Subaru of America (SoA) along with print out of error messages received via the My Subaru website. The vehicle has been to the shop 6 times in the first 9,000 miles. There has been no inspection of the car by SoA, just dealer service. There is no warnings until the issue occurs. SoA has been notified via Certified Letter and has been unresponsive as to a fix since 7/19/2021.

Aug 17, 2021

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

On 10/29/25 the car lost power once it got to 3500rpm. Multiple warning lights came on. On 11/06/2025, the Thermo Control Valve, high pressure fuel line, and gaskets for intake manifold and EGR were replaced. On 11/24/25, when backing up slowly in a small parking lot, the rear camera detection picked up a raised cement walkway with metal railing. The brake was applied by the driver, however the car accelerated quickly and slammed into the railing and cement. The vehicle was placed into drive after the collision and continued normally. The brake was on once the warning light beeped and prior to the collision. The foot was not removed from the brake pedal until it was in drive. It could not have been placed into drive without the brake pedal being pressed. I asked the dealership if they could pull data from the car at the time of the incident, and was told they weren't sure they would get any information. It has not been inspected by a dealership or insurance. There was no damage done to the cement and railing was already bent. Only the car sustained damage.

Dec 03, 2025

Crash: 1

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while idling at a red traffic light, the vehicle lurched forward twice and struck the rear end of another vehicle twice. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated upon impact. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. A Police report was not filed. Both the contact and her husband were able to drive away from the scene. The contact's vehicle sustained damage. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that a field technician would be sent to retrieve information from the EDR. The failure mileage was approximately 30,800.

Sep 26, 2025

Crash: 1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

1 complaint

While slowly backing out of a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on it's own - I do not recall pressing on the accelerator but the engine surged and the vehicle rapidly reversed and struck 4 other parked cars. It felt as if the accelerator became stuck and would not respond to braking. No warning light or dashboard alerts appeared. Subaru eyesight and adaptive cruise control were not engaged at the time. There was no known obstruction under the petals. This felt like a serious malfunction and could have caused serious injury. I am reporting this in case it is part of a wider issue affecting this model and because i see that there are multiple complaints to you about sudden unintended acceleration, especially during low speed maneuvers like backing out a parking space.

Aug 07, 2025

Crash: 1

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,LANE DEPARTURE

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. During the failure the "Eyesight" message was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the thermal control valve had failed and needed to be replaced. The thermal control valve was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure informed of the extended warranty coverage related to the failure. The failure mileage was 18,640.

Jul 24, 2025

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

Purchased used with just over 60k miles & have had less than a year. Vehicle still under 80k miles. Told transmission needs replaced but found service records from previous owner which shows fuel pump replaced twice at about 20k mile intervals & I am just under 20k miles past previous pump replacement. Vehicle does not run at the moment & warranty company refusing to help.

Apr 12, 2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

Thermo Control Valve. Check engine light on. Eyesight Adaptive Cruise Control Automatic Emergency Braking Blind Spot Warning Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning Lane Keeping Assistance X mode Dealership would not honor repair even though there is recall it does not cover vin 63400 miles Vehicle inspected by manufacturer code P2682 Check engine light is on and eyesight warning

Apr 02, 2025

PARKING BRAKE,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine, ABS, and brake warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited for several minutes before restarting the vehicle; however, upon restart the transmission failed to shift into the desired gear. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty due to a third-party damage to the rear brake cable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.

Nov 04, 2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

1 complaint

The auto restart does not work and requires a car restart to fix. The latest software update caused this is to happen.

Sep 12, 2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

ON thursday night at about [XXX] i was driving in the carpool lane going north.in the [XXX] , with full tank of gas ; suddenly i felt and here a noise, and the vehicle (2021outback base) start losing power, at the point that totally stop. call 911, and few minutes after the hway patrol came and push us out of the freeway, there was not any shoulder to be safe out. when the police officer try to turn it on the vehicle star but no power was available even when the vehicle was on.. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Aug 30, 2024

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

The car flashed “eye sight off” before flickering and shutting off while I was braking at a stop light. I tried putting my car into park and then turning it off and restarting it but it would not turn back on. I tried this a few more times but I was in the middle lane of a heavily trafficked street. The steering wheel was locked and I was not able to immediately remove it from the road and maybe an hour later it was able to be shifted into neutral and moved out of the street. However, it would still not turn on and when I did open my power gate, the gate would not secure closed. I took it to the dealership that I purchased it at and where it is also regularly serviced (with the last service date only over one week ago,) and they were not able to determine what happened but instead mentioned that my car had no internal data of any errors occurring and that the car was able to be started when they serviced it. I took a picture of the dash as it was flashing with all of the error codes and submitted that to the tech that was working on my car, but they asked me if I’d had someone “clear my codes” which is not something I’m familiar with or even capable of doing- I don’t even know anyone that would be capable of doing that for me. The whole ordeal cost me a day of work and now my peace of mind as I am unsure of if this may happen again and now I am worried it may happen while my kids are in the car. I’ve had similar issues with my center console messing up but nothing as urgent as my whole car shutting down and my steering wheel locking in the middle of traffic.

Aug 29, 2024

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

Today while waiting at a stop light the auto start stop engaged. When the light went green I put my foot on the gas and the vehicle stalled. The car was on but not running, several alarms were on the dashboard. I had to put the car in park, turn it off and then restart the car. This is a repeated issue and has been going on at least once a month since we purchased the car in 2021. We've brought it to the dealer and they said there was nothing wrong because there was no OBD code. I have checked myself and I have not found any code. This is extremely unsafe

Aug 16, 2024

STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS

1 complaint

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.

Apr 11, 2024

SEATS

1 complaint

This is 3 years old with 27000 miles. The driver's side seat has cracked and tear. This is what subaru is putting out there for the public. Cheap material and poor workmanship.

Feb 28, 2024

ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

While doing a casual drive, engine made a noise after work at night. Woke up in the morning and check engine light as well as the EyeSight light was on. Checked everything and noticed the coolant was low; but upon filling it, did not resolve the issue. Took it to a Subaru service center and was told that it the Temp Valve had been stuck and that they had replace not only one for my year model the same day, but also a ‘20 and ‘19 in the past week. Have looked online and noticed others have been unfortunate around the same mile range 60k.

Feb 20, 2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

I have experienced premature rear brake wear and excessive tire wear. Issues with infotainment system and pre-collision braking system. (1) Regarding Tires: Performed all dealer recommended tire rotations and aligned vehicle when recommended. Needed new tires at 31,169 miles. Tires showed excessive inside wear. Bought new tires from a 3rd party shop and had alignment done with hunter alignment system. Showed rear right camber at -2.0. Subaru recommends -1.8 to 0.3. Rear camber is not adjustable on this model. Took vehicle back to dealer for brake job and they said camber was fine...there is a spec for a reason. Did not want to attempt to bring it in spec with aftermarket kits (i.e. adjustable cam bolt) or fix under warranty. (2) Regarding Brakes: Needed new brakes at 31,169 miles. Not covered under warranty and not what I would consider typical wear based on my driving style and my past experience with Subaru vehicles. If this is an expected side affect of the EBD system I would highly recommend Subaru consider ways of improving brake life on their vehicles. (3) I have the Onyx XT trim with navigation. Infotainment system is constantly glitchy. Examples include booting with blank black screen, failing to load, excessive lag while operating system or will freeze and beep repeatedly while buffing a menu selection. Also, had my car battery replaced under warranty within the first two years due to a bad battery. (4) Issues with ADAS system, specifically pre-collision breaking. This system is extremely sensitive and will over-react / take control in certain situations where I didn't need it to even when I was in the process of braking. Have had this system activate on the highway at high speeds while switching lanes on the highway or when having a vehicle merge quickly into my lane in front of me. Constantly, have to turn off this system which is a chore as this system is defaulted to always being on. Do not feel safe driving with this system on.

Nov 29, 2023

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

Eyesight driver assist went out rendering safety features inoperable. Touch screen also blanked out so unable to adjust a/c, navigation,radio etc. Car had been on long distance all hiway drive and at 7 hours systems failed. Weather was in the 60s, overcast and it was in the afternoon. Pulled into rest stop and turned engine off then restarted but still failed. Drove 2 more hours and next rest stop systems came back after letting car sit off for 10+ minutes.

Sep 27, 2023

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

1 complaint

I was driving and suddenly 13 flashing lights and codes from check engine to loss of cruise control and RAB -dealer says it needs a new thermo control valve (thermostat). This failed part has been common on Subarus for 3 years-reported on internet and even to the point where a guy sitting next to me today with same car and year and same $1800 bill and diagnosis. Should be a recall. Part was redesigned in 2022 I read.

Sep 06, 2023

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

With 22,000 miles my front rotor brakes need replacing and I don’t have a heavy foot! This is my 5th Outback and so my history vouches that I’m not a driver that wears down brakes or tires. When I did some online searching, there are a number of people posting with the same experience. Subaru knows there is a problem because they are quick to replace under warranty. But this is dangerous. In my case, the brakes were checked just a few thousand miles ago and the were “ very good”, scored 8. Fortunately a friend was sharing the driving on a long trip and they caught that there was a problem. I made a service appointment while we were on the road. Please investigate and have them come up with a better solution than resurfacing the breaks after just 22000 miles

Aug 22, 2023

AIR BAGS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

Yet to be diagnosed but possibly the cockpit control computer. Dealer service department has not been able to diagnose. No components have been replaced yet except for a software update that did not correct the issue. Safety systems all report as not functioning, These include all "eyesight systems";the air bags, automatic emergency braking, lane departure and lane keeping. Additionally all center console functions are not functional, including HVAC and radio. The vehicle has been to the dealer twice where the problem could not be reproduced. No other inspection has been performed. No warnings or other messages appear prior to the failure. The failure persists for approximately 10 minutes, after which normal operation resumes. I write this following the fourth occurrence of the failure.

Jun 23, 2023

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS

1 complaint

This vehicle has 3 major issues that the dealership has not been able to resolve and are as follows: 1) Battery---is not able to hold charge. In early 2022, dealership replaced a new battery, however, the problem still exists. Battery size does not have the charge capacity REQUIRED to start the vehicle even less than 1 week of parking during warm weather months. 2) Heating System---has a defect, specially on driver side of the system. With seat and steering heating on, the vents on driver side emit uncontrollable hot air that forces the driver to shut the driver side heating system. During winter this is unreasonable! Did inform the dealership of this issue and were unable to resolve the problem as I understand was inherent with the design. This problem is likely to cause fire if electrical wires are exposed to the heat. 3)Tires---are supposed to be inflated with nitrogen, and this innovation is to maintain the tire pressures for most weather conditions. However, all of my five tires are unable to maintain the pressures. Did bring it to the attention of dealership at each service. However the problem still persists. Possible problem can be any of the following individually or in combination: a) Seal between the tire and rim is inadequate. b) Slow leakage in tire valves or c) Tires are of poor quality permitting air to escape from the body of the tires.

May 08, 2023

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

Car experienced unintended acceleration and the pre-collision safety system failed to engage. Car accelerated into a building and the driver stopped car's attempt to continue forward progress by taking the car out of drive mode. The pre-collision system failed completely. The Electronic Control Units seemed to fail entirely. This happened while pulling into a parking space at a very low rate to speed (until the car "took off").

Apr 14, 2023

Crash: 1

STEERING

1 complaint

The contact's wife owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced loss of power steering as the power steering warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, that the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,500. The VIN was not available.

Mar 27, 2023

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

Traveling toll road /fwy at approx 70mph at rush hour and lost all power with Check engine light , emergency brake, lurching engine, all flashing at the same time!!! Coasted through 4 fwy lanes to offramp and service station- extreme danger!!! How was there no pile up with me going from 70-10 to coasting on a busy 15 Northbound fwy at 7:30 am?????? Was in toll lane and crossed toll 3 foot sticks to exit at first available exit. 2 cars followed me off as they were concerned for my safety Towed to shop where they put in new thermo valve, gasket intake manifold, Pipe ay- fuel and gasket egr pipe 56000miles, 2 year old car 3 replaced windshields in last 6 months They said they've done 10 cars with this problem in the last year???? Insurance covered windshields , service center at Subaru inspected car

Feb 13, 2023

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

Vehicle was on highway in stop and go traffic when brake was applied. Auto stop-start feature engaged which turned engine off. On release of brake the auto stop-start feature failed to restart vehicle. Engine tried and failed to turn over and all console lights flashed on and off continuously. Ignition was turned off and attempted to restart car unsuccessfully. Four way hazard light button was activated and showed on dashboard as on. However, hazard lights on outside of vehicle were not on causing cars behind to not realize car was immobilized. Hazard lights malfunctioning on an immobilized vehicle on the highway is extremely unsafe.

Jan 17, 2023

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

The headlights on this vehicle are obnoxiously bright! I get flashed by oncoming drivers constantly at night. I even get flashed by pickup trucks. I'm not sure if it's the main headlamps or the fog lights. It does seem like the fog lights have really poor beam control. When driving on a country road at night I can tell the fog lights are lighting up the tops of trees by toggling them on and off. I passed an oncoming car just like mine a while back and I could finally understand why I get flashed all the time. They ARE really blinding. I tried to bring it up with Subaru of America and the guy on the phone literally laughed at me and just told me to not use the fog lights. They don't seem to care at all about all the safety issues the current generation Outback has. Very unprofessional. Subaru doesn't appear to welcome feedback at all.

Sep 05, 2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

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.

Sep 05, 2022

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

1 complaint

My 2021 Subaru Outback vehicle is subject to a recall for engine harness and ECM replacement, according to Subaru. I took my car in twice to the dealership and it was unable to perform the recall repair. That dealership told me that the issue presents no safety problem - is that true? (The current recall of 2022s sound like there is a safety issue.) Your website says my repair was performed. That is false. Can you help me understand why you show the vehicle has been repaired? Can you help me find a dealership that knows how to safely repair the car?

Aug 17, 2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

1 complaint

The engine block of our car caught fire while it was parked and turned off. It melted the engine and hood of the car, totaling it. Thankfully, we were not in the vehicle when the incident occurred, so no one was injured. At the time of the incident, our car was parked outside our apartment building under a low-hanging tree, which was burned in the fire. Had a neighbor not noticed and called 911, the fire may have spread to the nearby apartment building and caused much more severe damage than what was already done to the car. We had no warning prior to the incident. To our knowledge, the car was in perfect condition. We had bought it brand new 16 months prior and had taken it in for its scheduled maintenance 3 times. We are unaware if the vehicle has been inspected yet or if they've discovered the origin of the problem. All we know is that the insurance company and firefighters confirmed it wasn't arson, as the fire was contained to the engine block and front end of the car, and they also confirmed we were not at fault. Vehicle caught fire while it was parked and turned off.

Jul 18, 2022

Fire: 1

SERVICE BRAKES,BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

I have had this vehicle since @ 6/30/21, under 4,000 miles. Sometimes when I'm driving, the car will suddenly brake or lurch when I am not near another object or person. I drove down the highway once when this happened and it was very concerning. I have also been in the middle of an intersection when this occurred, as I was turning left. It has happened approximately 10 other times since I've had the vehicle. Today it happened and a truck was behind me; thankfully I did not get hit.I brought this into the dealereship twice and they claim there is nothing wrong with the car. There is definitely something wrong with the car; it's dangerous. My car is available for inspection upon request. I and others are at great risk for an accident. I remember flashing lights on a few occasions, not today. When I went online to check for recalls, I noticed many other Subaru owners having the same issues.

Apr 14, 2022

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE

1 complaint

THE MAIN COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM, CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE, ALL HVAC CONTROLS, NAVIGATION, ETC. SHUTS DOWN (GOES BLACK), AND REBOOTS RANDOMLY. WHEN THIS OCCURS, ALL OF THE FUNCTIONS AND CONTROLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ARE LOST. CRUISE CONTROL DROPS OUT AND THE BUILT IN SAFETY FEATURES ARE DISABLED. IT IS DISTRACTING TO THE DRIVER AND REQUIRES THE DRIVER'S ATTENTION TO RESET FEATURES THAT WERE LOST. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY SUBARU AND HAS NOT BEEN FIXED ON MY VEHICLE FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. THIS COMPLETE COMPUTER BLACKOUT EVENT OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE.

Feb 24, 2022

VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

My windshield cracked within a few months and few thousand miles of purchasing my vehicle for no real apparent reason.

Feb 15, 2022

BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

Several times, at random, the infotainment system goes blank. Screen goes black and can NOT adjust any of the ADAS controls! After 10 to 20 seconds the system seems to reboot and slowly returns to normal operations.

Dec 13, 2021

STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

Windshield developed a large crack for no apparent reason. There is no sign of an impact from an object. Vehicle was parked outside when outside temperature dropped overnight. Crack over 6” long appeared the next morning.

Nov 21, 2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

Your form would not allow me to chcek all applicable issues. I believe the computer system and brakes are the major issues. The start/stop system engaged when I was turning in the middle of an intersection. When driving at cruising speeds (foot on the gas pedal), the car suddenly felt as if the brake was being engaged. The forward and rear collision warning signals do not work. The blind spot warning does not work. There is grinding coming from the undercarriage at times (random), while my foot is on the gas. The car bucks for no reason. The battery is draining (less than 2,000 miles on the car). Sometimes I have to turn the ignition twice in the morning. I turn everything off when I get out of the car. My safety and safety of others is definitely at risk. What I didn't realize until recently is that prior to accepting the vehicle, the salesman must have turned the start/system off, because when I went for a test drive, the start/stop did not engage once and I drove in city traffic with multiple stops. Immediately upon diving off lot, the car stopped and I had issues. The salesman told me I had to get used to the start/sytem. This is a dangerous situation. My car is currently being looked at by the dealer.

Oct 14, 2021

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

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.

Sep 01, 2021

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

During heavy rains, the vehicles leak water into the driver's side wheel well. Numerous times back to the dealer and the vehicle being piece by piece all seals are being replaced. As per numerous blogs on Subaru forums, an indication of a faulty windshield seal could be the issue, but the dealership refuses to replace or reset the windshield seal. Bought the car on June 28, 2021, and have been to the dealership 3 times for the same issue. The dealership is replacing seals on the skylight and door but as of yet no resolution. At the time of this complaint, the vehicle has been at dealership for 3 weeks with no resolution.

Aug 14, 2021

STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

While moving forward slowly with foot lightly on the brakes and pulling into a parking space at local shopping center the car accelerated and the steering wheel turned to the right. The result of the cars actions made the car jump the curb, drive across the sidewalk and then across small hedges in the landscaped area. Car finally came to a stop about 20 feet later, with me pushing hard on the brake, just prior to entering parking lot roadway cross traffic. There was no alarm, warning or any other indication from any of the safety systems. As far as the automobile was concerned, nothing wrong had happened. Luckily there were no other vehicles or pedestrians on sidewalk or in the landscaped area between the parking space and roadway. There was no vehicle damage as the shrubs were all fairly short and the car simply drove over them. My husband disabled the lane departure system and I continue to operate the car. Based on all the previous incidents reported on this site, my husband indicates that Subaru will blame operator error. I have a perfect driving record and this incident was not caused by me incorrectly stepping on the gas.

Jun 19, 2021

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

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)

Jan 02, 2021

VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE

1 complaint

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

Dec 16, 2020

VISIBILITY/WIPER,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

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.

Nov 23, 2020

2021 SUBARU Outback Problems & Complaints

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