Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2021 Subaru Outback
NHTSA data on file today
The 2021 Subaru Outback has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 299 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #24V227000 Air Bag May Not Deploy NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V755000 Switch Failure May Cause Loss of Rearview Image NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V485000 Drive Chain May Break Causing Loss of Drive Power NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V024000 CVT Select Lever Cable Nut Not Tightened Properly NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Visibility/Wiper 98 complaints
- Electrical System 76 complaints
- Unknown or Other 66 complaints
- Forward Collision Avoidance 29 complaints
- Engine 21 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 19 complaints
Of the 299 complaints on file, 9 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 299 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2021 Subaru Outback has a moderate recall history and owner complaints, suggesting a vehicle with average reliability. Four recall campaigns primarily focus on powertrain and airbag issues, while visibility, electrical system, and unknown component complaints also appear frequently. This limited data highlights potential areas for concern but makes it difficult to draw conclusions on long-term reliability.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| wipers | Unknown | $100–$300 | common |
| electrical system | Unknown | $200–$1,000 | common |
| forward collision system | Unknown | $300–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake inspections and service
- Tire rotations and balancing
- Coolant system flush
- Transmission fluid check
- Cabin air filter replacement
- Spark plug replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Windshield wiper malfunction
- Electrical issues
- Forward collision system errors
- Transmission resistance
- Airbag warning lights
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2021 Subaru Outback at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.