2021 Subaru Legacy problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (5) · Electrical System (3) · Air Bags (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Legacy model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger 2024-03-22 · campaign 24V227000 · 118,723 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch 2023-11-09 · campaign 23V755000 · 95,830 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:driveline:chain/Belt 2022-07-08 · campaign 22V485000 · 182 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (460)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Power Train 2026-09-28 · SubaruNet Announcement (T · Other
this announcement provides information on an enhancement of the techshare cvt diagnostic assitance application.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Electrical System 2026-09-18 · 18-244-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"this bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following dtcs: dtc c1956: rh actuator circuit dtc c1957: lh actuator circuit"
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 460 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-04 · Engine“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 eng…”
2025-11-24 · Suspension“see attached document for complaint.…”
2025-11-21 · Power Train“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…”
2025-10-27 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 60,000 mi“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 inten…”
2025-07-21 · Power Train“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 leve…”
2025-07-07 · Engine“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 th…”
2025-02-18 · Air Bags“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…”
2024-12-28 · Unknown Or Other“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…”
2024-11-29 · Seats“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 onc…”
2024-11-12 · Air Bags“subaru has failed to remedy recall on airbags.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.