2021 Subaru Outback Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 6%of 299 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 23,400miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2021 Subaru Outback, 6% of the 299 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,400 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11543033, filed 2023-09“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11484762, filed 2022-09“I was already parked in a spot in a public parking lot. I tapped the accelerator pedal to move the car a few inches. The vehicle responded by violently accelerating, hitting a vehicle directly in front of me in another parking space. I applied my brake but the car would not stop. The force of the acceleration pushed the car out of the it's spot and it hit a curb and tree appox 30 ft away. In defensive move I turned my wheels to the right and continue to try and brake. This caused my car to hit the car on the right side of me. Property Damage occured. No injuries. Vehicle defect.”
NHTSA complaint #11748480, filed 2026-07“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”
NHTSA complaint #11556403, filed 2023-11“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11436737, filed 2021-10Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 10% |
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 4 | 1% |
| 2021 | 19 | 6% |
| 2020 | 18 | 2% |
| 2019 | 26 | 3% |
| 2018 | 21 | 3% |
| 2017 | 28 | 3% |
| 2016 | 22 | 3% |
| 2015 | 26 | 5% |
| 2014 | 14 | 7% |
| 2013 | 26 | 9% |
| 2012 | 8 | 3% |
| 2011 | 26 | 4% |
| 2010 | 13 | 4% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 6 | 3% |
| 2007 | 17 | 13% |
| 2006 | 98 | 35% |
| 2005 | 40 | 15% |
| 2004 | 20 | 22% |
| 2003 | 9 | 10% |
| 2002 | 12 | 8% |
| 2001 | 17 | 10% |
| 2000 | 14 | 7% |
| 1999 | 9 | 8% |
| 1998 | 13 | 10% |
| 1997 | 8 | 10% |
| 1996 | 4 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2021 Subaru Outback
108 complaintsElectrical system
76 complaintsOther or unknown
66 complaintsForward collision avoidance
29 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsLane departure
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsWheels
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