2021 Subaru LEGACY: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
5,150 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 31 complaints (22.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 12.9% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 9.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 5 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 7; Air Bags: 6; Electrical System: 5; Visibility/Wiper: 5; Engine: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 2; Power Train: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 27 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2021: 7; 2022: 7; 2023: 2; 2024: 8; 2025: 6; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11386917 · 2021-01-07 (January 7, 2021)
ON JANUARY 7, 2020 AT APPROXIMATELY 8AM, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHICH HAD BEEN WARMED UP AND DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MINUTES WHEN MY WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ABOUT 8 INCHES OFF CENTER. THERE WAS NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME AND NO VISIBLE OR AUDIBLE DEBRIS THAT COULD HAVE STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK WAS ABOUT 8 INCHES LONG AND RAN VERTICALLY UP THE WINDSHIELD. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE CRACK APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED BELOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WHERE THE GLASS MEETS THE PLASTIC, A LOCATION W…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11386917 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11420446 · 2021-06-10 (June 10, 2021)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11420446 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11432643 · 2021-09-12 (September 12, 2021)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11432643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11435081 · 2021-10-01 (October 1, 2021)
Battery died completely, left me stranded at a gas station. I had to call and get a jump. I've had the car 9 weeks, it only has 690 miles on it. No warning lights prior, did notice a slightly longer crank a couple days prior. I was told by the dealer that I don't drive enough, and I should keep my key at least 30 feet away when the keys are in the house, because that can silently drain the battery. I had not left any lights on or had done anything to drain the battery prior to this occurring. I drove to the gas station with no problem, up…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11435081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11435842 · 2021-10-07 (October 7, 2021)
Windshield spontaneously cracked while using defrost function on 9/9/2021. Crack started from bottom center of windshield, at the ceramic defrost line, below rubber seal. Crack approximately 6 inches long. Called Subaru within minutes and directed to take to dealership to have photo taken and submitted to Subaru for warranty work. Visited dealership and photos taken on 9/13/2021. Have been told by dealership multiple times still waiting on Subaru to approve the warranty work. Since then the crack has continued to spread and now goes up approxi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11435842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11440874 · 2021-11-18 (November 18, 2021)
Info screen froze and didn't come back of for 5 minutes while driving
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11443359 · 2021-12-10 (December 10, 2021)
The component that failed is the windshield. The windshield has a 14 inch stress crack. The crack suddenly appeared, there was no impact. The crack interferes with the Subaru Eyesight Driver Assistance. The Subaru Eyesight Driver Assistance could malfunction while driving. The integrity of the windshield has been compromised. I brought the car to the Subaru dealership and they said it was not covered under warranty even though the car only has 6,000 miles on it. The Subaru dealership said they took pictures of the windshield and submitted them …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11443359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11447088 · 2022-01-11 (January 11, 2022)
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; howeve…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11447088 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
22V485000 · Power Train:Driveline:Chain/Belt | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Reported: 2022-07-08 (July 8, 2022)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V755000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Reported: 2023-11-09 (November 9, 2023)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V227000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
Reported: 2024-03-22 (March 22, 2024)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗