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2021 Subaru Legacy: problems, recalls and reliability

3 recalls and 31 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility/wiper (20% of complaints); the 2023 model year looks more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2024

3
recalls
31
owner complaints
0
fire reports
5,150
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★★
5-star NHTSA overall safety ratingNo fire reportsWeak spot: visibility/wiper (20%)Problems reported early (median 5,150 mi)

Common problems

Computed from 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Visibility/Wiper (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)20% · 5 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)20% · 5 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)12% · 3 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)8% · 2 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)8% · 2 complaints
Service Brakes (brakes)4% · 1 complaint
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 problemOwner report · Power Train · Nov 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 whileOwner report · Electrical System · Nov 2024
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 not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
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 dealership.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 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 mannerOwner report · Air Bags · Apr 2024
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.Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2024
Without any reason a random issue came up. Special feature components lit up on dashboard. Everything but "check engine lit up and the car features were disabled. Disabled items were eye sight, lane assist, ABD, electrical parking brake, hill assist, vehicle dynamics control. With all these lights on my power steering was also disabled. Took to dealer a year ago and all they did was "updated computer system. 3 months later the t started happening again but only intermittently but for past 3 days it's been constantOwner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2023
2021 SUBARU LEGACY TOURING. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ISSUES WITH THE REAR AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM (RAB). See attached document for complaintOwner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2023
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 to get into a car accident knowing that there's a chance that the buckle may not work.Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2023
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 the last replacement and any future such replacements.Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jun 2022

When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 3 campaigns

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH23V755000 · Nov 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.

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.

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER24V227000 · Mar 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.

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.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CHAIN/BELT22V485000 · Jul 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.

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.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2021 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Body stylesSedan/Saloon

How other years compare

Check your exact Legacy by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy reliable?

NHTSA has 31 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2021 Subaru Legacy. The most complained-about area is visibility/wiper (20% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2021 Subaru Legacy problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 5,150 miles or less.

Does the 2021 Subaru Legacy have open recalls?

3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.