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Other or unknownPart report

2021 Subaru Outback Other or unknown Problems

Complaints
66about this part
Share
22%of 299 total for the year
Median mileage
2,250miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 66 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2021 Subaru Outback, 22% of the 299 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,250 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Bought the vehicle and basically parked the car in my garage a/o 23 nov 2020. I travel for work most of the time. Between 3 - 7 dec, the car was used by my ex-husband for two trips to the airport to pick me up/drop off from/for a business trip and for me to drop off the title of my old car. …”

NHTSA complaint #11384667, filed 2020-12, 598 miles

“This is an issue we experienced with an exploding sunroof of our new Subaru Outback. We purchased the vehicle on december 22, 2020. Within days of the purchase, on december 27, 2020, the sunroof spontaneously exploded while driving the vehicle. Both the sunroof and interior sunroof covering were closed at the time. The fractured glass was broken outward which leads us to believe this is a vehicle manufacturing defect. We have contacted the dealership where we purchased the vehicle and they referred us to Subaru corporate headquarters.”

NHTSA complaint #11386292, filed 2021-01, 200 miles

“I was just driving on the interstate and the windshield started cracking on it's own. There was no damage at all prior to the event. No debris hit the windshield it just started cracking and the crack rapidly grew over the next several minutes to a size of 10 inches.”

NHTSA complaint #11397663, filed 2021-02, 3,000 miles

“Windshield cracked spontaneously two times. Had to replace windshield twice and had to recalibrate eyesite cameras both times. One time happened while driving and the other time parked.”

NHTSA complaint #11377849, filed 2020-12, 1,500 miles

“Windshield failed twice in first six weeks, dealer replaced it once, it lasted 9 days, both times windshield broke in snow storm with defroster on high”

NHTSA complaint #11405691, filed 2021-03, 8,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Other or unknown: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026733%
20251822%
20242928%
20231618%
20228719%
20216622%
202015317%
201920520%
201816320%
201717819%
201612419%
201510921%
20142211%
2013258%
2012248%
2011396%
2010195%
200966%
2008104%
200765%
2006135%
2005135%
200433%
200311%
200221%
200142%
200063%
199965%
199843%
199711%

Other parts of the 2021 Subaru Outback

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
108 complaints
Electrical system
76 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
29 complaints
Engine
21 complaints
Vehicle speed control
19 complaints
Air bags
16 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
12 complaints
Fuel system
10 complaints
Brakes
8 complaints
Lane departure
7 complaints
Body and structure
7 complaints
Wheels
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Subaru Outback

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology