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Buying a used 2021 Subaru Outback? Check these 4 recalls first

4 NHTSA recalls · 296 owner complaints on file

The 2021 Subaru Outback has 4 recalls in this group, addressing passenger air bag nondeployment, a shifter cable nut that may loosen, transmission chain slipping, and switch failure affecting reverse lights and the camera. The air bag item carries the high-severity label; the others cover shifting, transmission, and reversing functions. NHTSA lists 296 owner complaints, which are unverified reports, including 97 visibility/wiper, 75 electrical system, and 29 forward collision avoidance complaints. These categories warrant questions beyond recall completion alone.

Before you buy

1. Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
2. Verify VIN-specific passenger air bag recall completion.
3. Obtain shifter cable nut and transmission chain recall records.
4. Test reverse lights, camera, and wipers; ask about collision-avoidance faults.
5. Open recalls are repaired free at any Subaru dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.

Recalls covering the 2021 Subaru Outback

What owners have reported to NHTSA

296 complaints filed for this model year, including 9 mentioning a crash, 1 a fire and 4 injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.

When the complaints were filed

Complaints by the year they reached NHTSA. The current year is incomplete, and counts usually fall as fewer of these cars stay on the road.

Other model years

• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2022
• 2023
• All Outback recalls