Vehicle Recall IndexVIN decoding & NHTSA recall records

Model year 2021 · Subaru

2021 Subaru Outback recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Subaru Outback. The most recent was reported on March 22, 2024. Campaigns are matched by the model names in NHTSA's records: OUTBACK.

NHTSA data through October 6, 2026 · How these pages are built

Campaigns at a glance

Recall campaigns for the 2021 Subaru Outback, newest first
NHTSA numberReportedComponent
24V227000March 22, 2024Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger
23V755000November 9, 2023Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
22V485000July 8, 2022Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/PCM/Tecm)
21V024000January 26, 2021Power Train › Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod

Systems involved: Power Train (3) · Air Bags (1)

Recall records

NHTSA 24V227000Manufacturer no. WRA-24

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger

Report received by NHTSA
March 22, 2024
Owner notification
February 3, 2025
Recall initiated by
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Units potentially affected
118,723 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
OUTBACK

Defect summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.

Safety risk

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 24V227000, filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 23V755000Manufacturer no. WRQ-23

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch

Report received by NHTSA
November 9, 2023
Owner notification
January 8, 2024
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
95,830 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2021 Subaru Outback
March 17, 2021 – May 16, 2022
Model names in the NHTSA record
OUTBACK

Defect summary

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.

Safety risk

An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 23V755000, filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 22V485000Manufacturer no. WRK-22

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/PCM/Tecm)

Report received by NHTSA
July 8, 2022
Owner notification
August 24, 2022
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
182 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2021 Subaru Outback
May 21, 2019 – August 3, 2020
Model names in the NHTSA record
OUTBACK

Components: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/PCM/Tecm); Power Train › Driveline › Chain/Belt

Defect summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Safety risk

An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-22. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 22V485000, filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 21V024000Manufacturer no. WRA-21

Power Train › Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod

Report received by NHTSA
January 26, 2021
Owner notification
February 12, 2021
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
383 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
OUTBACK

Defect summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Outback and Impreza vehicles. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.

Safety risk

A loose nut can lead to a lost of retention in the CVT select lever cable and the gear selector not functioning properly, increasing risk of crash.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, tighten the nut, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-21.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 21V024000, filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

Records reproduce NHTSA's published text for each campaign. Last record date for this page: March 25, 2024.