2021 Subaru Legacy Problems & Owner Complaints

Unknown Or Other 7 1 injury

“The trunk does not stay open leading to sudden closing on body and head for anyone trying to use the trunk. Leading to a concussion and multiple injuries. Dealership said to place a complaint as there has not yet been a recall for this issue. There is no warning prior to this issue occurring.”
NHTSA complaint #11457623, 2022 · 1 injury(ies)

“Dear NHTSA Team, I am writing to report a recurring and distressing issue with my Subaru Legacy 2021 which I believe raises significant safety concerns. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have experienced consistent problems with the battery. Despite replacing the battery five times, the vehicle has repeatedly stopped functioning, including a recent incident where it stalled in the middle of the road. This required me to call law enforcement and a towing service, adding considerable mental and financial stress. These unexpected breakdowns are not only inconvenient but also pose serious safety…”
NHTSA complaint #11632889, 2024

“After shifting my car into reverse, I slowly started removing my foot from the brake pedal. At this time, the car started rapidly accelerating backwards so I put pressure back on the brake pedal to stop the car. When doing so, the ABS light came on my dashboard, I heard a griding sound like the car was still trying to accelerate, and there was a loud constant beep. I was able to shift the car into neutral and then into park to stop the car and then turned the car off. I contacted the dealership about the issue, but have not yet been able to further investigate or bring it into the dealershi…”
NHTSA complaint #11588661, 2024

Air Bags 6

“The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Legacy. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
NHTSA complaint #11643453, 2024

“A Recall was issued Mar 22, 2024 for a dangerous safety issue. 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. Interim Letters Informing Owners OF THE Safety Risk Were Mailed MAY 17, 2024. Owners Will Receive A Second Letter Once THE Remedy IS Available. Owners MAY Contact Subaru Customer Service AT 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's Number FOR This Recall IS Wra-24. NHTSA issued their Recall for this problem. NHTSA Recall Number24V227000 Recall Status Recall Incomplete, remedy not…”
NHTSA complaint #11627940, 2024

“Subaru has failed to remedy recall on airbags.”
NHTSA complaint #11624870, 2024

Electrical System 5

“The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds during colder weather, the heater failed to operate as intended. Additionally, the Eyesight system was inoperable. The check engine and other unknown warning lights were displayed. In addition, the contact stated that the engine failed to warm up as intended after being started, and the engine temperature was 107°F, which was below the normal engine temperature of 200°F. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the Thermal Control Valve needed to be replace…”
NHTSA complaint #11695854, 2025

“ODS sensor recall still not fixed/remedy available, used heat for first time since i purchased the car, minor cracks in the windshield, car radio/monitors randomly go black, reverse camera won’t work, restarts on there own after a while”
NHTSA complaint #11623360, 2024

“recall not fixed yet, what happens if a car hits me & the passenger airbags don’t work? unsafe, doesn’t seem like it’s being fixed in a timely manner”
NHTSA complaint #11594923, 2024

Visibility/Wiper 5

“Three times within a 1 year period, the windshield cracked without an object hitting it. First time in July, 2021, second time in September, 2021, and third time in June, 2022. After the first time, I had the windshield replaced at my own expense. The second time, Subaru completed the replacement at no cost. The third time, Subaru completed the replacement but refused to pay for it, claiming that an object likely hit the windshield. However, the crack occurred overnight while the car was in my driveway. I believe the windshield is obviously defective and I should be remunerated for at least th…”
NHTSA complaint #11474196, 2022

“I was driving down the road and I heard a sound, and then saw a 5 inch horizontal crack, starting at the left side of the windshield and then it turned 1 inch up.... It was just above the inspection sticker. I did not hear anything hit but heard a sound. Both surfaces, inside and outside of the glass are smooth. I cannot feel any crack but can see it. I had my defroster on and it was sporadically raining and sleeting. I will be getting it repaired. Through Subaru's "goodwill program" vehicle was repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #11455908, 2022

“-Purchased a Subaru Legacy in April 2021. Windshield cracked in May 2021, thought it was a fluke. Worked with insurance company to replace it with a Subaru windshield at an authorized glass replacement business. Windshield cracked again in Jan. 2022. Haven't owned this a year yet. -My safety and that of my family is at risk because this glass breaks easily and I feel unsafe driving it while working to get it fixed AGAIN. -There are known windshield problems with recent Forester, Outback, and Legacy models and pending litigation, but not on 2021 model years yet.”
NHTSA complaint #11449075, 2022

Back Over Prevention 2

“ODS sensor recall still not fixed/remedy available, used heat for first time since i purchased the car, minor cracks in the windshield, car radio/monitors randomly go black, reverse camera won’t work, restarts on there own after a while”
NHTSA complaint #11623360, 2024

“The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while his wife was reversing out of the garage, the rearview camera froze. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact’s wife was able to reset the rearview camera with the assistance of his daughter who looked up the information on the internet. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who completed a 504-software update; however, the failure reoccurred twice while the contact…”
NHTSA complaint #11447088, 2021

Engine 2

“Vehicle: 2021 Subaru Legacy Base 2.5i Mileage:~65,000 miles My engine suddenly began making loud internal knocking/tapping noises with no warning lights, no overheating, and no prior symptoms. The vehicle immediately became unsafe to operate. I had it towed to a Subaru dealership, where technicians confirmed the noise was coming from inside the engine and recommended a full engine replacement. The failure happened without any warning indicators, misfires, overheating, or oil pressure warnings. All diagnostics (including compression and leakdown) were clean, and the vehicle has been properly m…”
NHTSA complaint #11742064, 2026

“Subaru has released a service bulletin regarding concerns with the Thermo Control Valve in specific vehicles. Unfortunately, individuals with vehicles bearing a rebuilt title, including myself, are required to cover expenses exceeding $2,000 out of their own pockets. Despite evidence indicating that the issue with the engine area is unrelated to the vehicle's rebuilt title, Subaru has chosen not to initiate a recall. This unequal treatment of titled vehicle owners is unjust, especially considering that these vehicles have passed all necessary local inspections and regulations to be deemed road…”
NHTSA complaint #11671806, 2025

Forward Collision Avoidance 2

“The car's AEB system keeps mistaking steam from the street (such as sewer covers or construction sites) for a physical object and will activate. It has stopped my car in the middle of the street two days ago (5/31/22) and I was almost rear-ended by the car behind me. The warning system will also engage for no reason in most city driving conditions when there is no danger. It mistakes merging with cars with an imminent crash. I do not trust the system and now disable it whenever I drive as it is more likely to cause an accident than to prevent one. This has been a problem since I purchased…”
NHTSA complaint #11467093, 2022

“There seems to be an issue with the infotainment system. The system will randomly turn off which also turns off the safety features. I would like to associate this while CarPlay is in use, but I have witnessed it happen without CarPlay. Subaru has already replaced the head unit under warranty, but the problem continues. For the cost of the car, this should not be an issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11432643, 2021

Power Train 2

“Car intermittently will studder and not go into first gear or go into second gear dangerously having car bog down and almost stall and then it violently downshifts having car RMP Hague go very high then slip and have no power to wheels and then a few seconds later go into second gear violently taking off again. Have tried taking issue to dealer but won’t even look unless check engine light comes on. Which it sometimes will for this issue and will shut back off before my short drive to dealership. Very frustrated especially being my first new car paying monthly to have this problem”
NHTSA complaint #11700919, 2025

“CVT Transmission Failure. Failure occurred at approximately 66,706 miles on 5/16/25. The Check Engine and AT Temp lights appeared in the instrument cluster. The driving conditions when this happened were a safety concern. First, the vehicle would crawl, shutter, and almost stall with high RPMs when attempting to climb a hill. Second, on a level surface at any given time the vehicle would not respond then lunge forward unexpectedly. The vehicle was inspected by a Subaru Dealership and the diagnosis was "Internal failure of transmission". The transmission needs to be replaced. The same d…”
NHTSA complaint #11674975, 2025

Service Brakes 2

“After shifting my car into reverse, I slowly started removing my foot from the brake pedal. At this time, the car started rapidly accelerating backwards so I put pressure back on the brake pedal to stop the car. When doing so, the ABS light came on my dashboard, I heard a griding sound like the car was still trying to accelerate, and there was a loud constant beep. I was able to shift the car into neutral and then into park to stop the car and then turned the car off. I contacted the dealership about the issue, but have not yet been able to further investigate or bring it into the dealershi…”
NHTSA complaint #11588661, 2024

“2021 SUBARU LEGACY TOURING. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ISSUES WITH THE REAR AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM (RAB). See attached document for complaint”
NHTSA complaint #11512323, 2023

Engine And Engine Cooling 1

“The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds during colder weather, the heater failed to operate as intended. Additionally, the Eyesight system was inoperable. The check engine and other unknown warning lights were displayed. In addition, the contact stated that the engine failed to warm up as intended after being started, and the engine temperature was 107°F, which was below the normal engine temperature of 200°F. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the Thermal Control Valve needed to be replace…”
NHTSA complaint #11695854, 2025

Equipment 1

“2021 SUBARU LEGACY TOURING. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ISSUES WITH THE REAR AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM (RAB). See attached document for complaint”
NHTSA complaint #11512323, 2023

Seat Belts 1

“The buckle stopped working without cause. Car is only a couple years old and my child attempted to buckle themselves only to find out it didn't lock after trying to buckle in. I took car to subaru dealership and was told that they had no idea why it stopped working and it was not repairable. They attempted to fix it but couldn't figure it out. Thus I could not use this seat in my car due to the danger of not being able to have a passenger buckled. This is scary as there was no reason that the belt no longer buckled and concerns me that the other buckles may be defective, especially if we were…”
NHTSA complaint #11507827, 2023

Seats 1

“A Recall was issued Mar 22, 2024 for a dangerous safety issue. 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. Interim Letters Informing Owners OF THE Safety Risk Were Mailed MAY 17, 2024. Owners Will Receive A Second Letter Once THE Remedy IS Available. Owners MAY Contact Subaru Customer Service AT 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's Number FOR This Recall IS Wra-24. NHTSA issued their Recall for this problem. NHTSA Recall Number24V227000 Recall Status Recall Incomplete, remedy not…”
NHTSA complaint #11627940, 2024

Structure 1 1 injury

“The trunk does not stay open leading to sudden closing on body and head for anyone trying to use the trunk. Leading to a concussion and multiple injuries. Dealership said to place a complaint as there has not yet been a recall for this issue. There is no warning prior to this issue occurring.”
NHTSA complaint #11457623, 2022 · 1 injury(ies)

Suspension 1

Vehicle Speed Control 1

“After shifting my car into reverse, I slowly started removing my foot from the brake pedal. At this time, the car started rapidly accelerating backwards so I put pressure back on the brake pedal to stop the car. When doing so, the ABS light came on my dashboard, I heard a griding sound like the car was still trying to accelerate, and there was a loud constant beep. I was able to shift the car into neutral and then into park to stop the car and then turned the car off. I contacted the dealership about the issue, but have not yet been able to further investigate or bring it into the dealershi…”
NHTSA complaint #11588661, 2024

Visibility 1

“The contact owns 2021 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while entering the vehicle, she noticed a crack on the passenger’s side of the front windshield that expanded to the center of the windshield. The contact was unsure what caused the crack in the windshield. The contact reached out to the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle would not be repaired unless the contact paid for the glass warranty. The vehicle was not inspected nor diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,100.”
NHTSA complaint #11420446, 2021