VinCanary

Reliability report · 2021 Subaru Outback · Updated July 2026

The quietest year in our Outback data — the settled sixth-gen car, just confirm the recalls and turbo CVT work.

2021 has the lowest complaint count of the whole range (291), which fits the pattern: the sixth generation's launch-year bugs were largely sorted by now. The recalls are all free — the turbo cars' CVT chain-slip campaign (22V485), an inhibitor-switch recall (23V755) that could stop the reverse lights and rearview camera, and the occupant-detection airbag recall (24V227).

The costlier sixth-gen items still apply but stay covered: the thermal control valve carries its 15-year/150,000-mile extension, and the acoustic windshield has its 2020–2022 extension and settlement. Confirm the four recalls by VIN — especially the CVT one on a turbo car — and you're buying the settled version of the current Outback.

Evidence: 291 NHTSA complaints · 4 recall campaigns · 2 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Chirping

What that means: 291 federal complaints — the smallest file of any Outback year here — as the sixth generation settles after its launch year. Four recalls, all free, including the turbo CVT chain-slip campaign and an inhibitor-switch recall. The expensive items from 2020 (thermal control valve, windshield) still carry their extended coverage.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

This status assumes the riskiest common powertrain — see the Outback engine guide.

291

Federal complaints

4

Recalls

$0

CVT recall (reprogram / replacement if needed)

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

Turbo CVT chain-slip — recalled, free, confirm it was done

major
  • 2.4L turbo (FA24)

On turbo (XT) 2021 cars, the CVT chain-slip recall (22V485, Subaru code WRK-22 — the expansion covering 2020–2021 turbo Outback/Legacy) applies: a Transmission Control Unit programming error could let the chain slip or break with a loss of drive power. The remedy is a control-unit reprogram plus chain inspection, with a free transmission replacement if slippage is found. On any turbo 2021, confirm the recall shows completed by VIN — and that a slipped transmission was actually replaced, not just flagged. Naturally-aspirated 2021 cars aren't part of this campaign.

What to check

Pink and cleanServiced. Proceed.

Dark brownDamage underway.

This is a 2.4L turbo (FA24) problem. The 2.5L boxer (FB25) doesn’t share it.

Which engine is in the one you found? →

CVT recall (reprogram / replacement if needed)

$0

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2021 Subaru Outback (true count 291) · NHTSA recalls + manufacturer communications (CVT WRK-22, thermal control valve, windshield extensions, recall documents)

Recalls: inhibitor switch and occupant-detection airbag — freemoderate

Two more free campaigns. The inhibitor-switch recall (23V755) covers an insufficient weld that can let water into the switch and make it fail, which could stop the reverse lights and the rearview-camera image — a replacement switch, free. The occupant-detection-system recall (24V227) covers a sensor capacitor that can crack and short, potentially preventing the front-passenger airbag from deploying — sensors replaced free. Also note a small CVT select-lever cable-nut recall (21V024) that could loosen and affect gear selection. Confirm all show completed by VIN.

Sources: NHTSA recalls + manufacturer communications (CVT WRK-22, thermal control valve, windshield extensions, recall documents)

$0

All recall work

Thermal control valve and windshield — covered carryoversminor

The sixth-gen items that cost money out of coverage still apply to 2021 but keep their extensions. The thermal control valve (a coolant-flow valve) carries a 15-year/150,000-mile warranty extension. The acoustic windshield — prone to cracking from minor impacts or temperature, $500–$1,100 to replace with EyeSight recalibration — has a 2020–2022 warranty extension and a class-action settlement. If the coolant system codes or the windshield is cracked, confirm coverage eligibility by VIN before paying anything.

Sources: NHTSA recalls + manufacturer communications (CVT WRK-22, thermal control valve, windshield extensions, recall documents) · Independent Subaru mechanic / used-buyer channel transcripts (windshield, CVT, thermal control valve)

$0

Thermal control valve under 15 yr / 150k

$0

Windshield under extension / settlement

$500–$1,100

Windshield out of coverage (+EyeSight recal)

The best Subaru Outback years are 2020 and 2021 because they have fewer issues — these will accompany you for a very long time.
2 mechanic & owner sources

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Open recalls

Free fixes at any Subaru dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 22V485Turbo CVT chain-slip: Transmission Control Unit programming error may let the chain slip/break — loss of drive power (2020–2021 turbo Outback/Legacy). Reprogram + inspect; replace transmission free if slippage found. Subaru code WRK-22.open
  2. 23V755Insufficient weld may let water into the inhibitor switch and cause it to fail, stopping reverse lights and the rearview image (2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021–2023 Legacy/Outback). Switch replaced free. Subaru code WRQ-23.open
  3. 24V227Occupant Detection System sensor capacitor may crack and short, potentially preventing front-passenger airbag deployment (2020–2022 Outback/Legacy). Sensors replaced free. Subaru code WRA-24.open
  4. 21V024CVT select-lever cable nut may not be properly tightened and can loosen, affecting gear selection (2021 Outback/Impreza). Inspect/tighten free. Subaru code WRA-21.open

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