Subaru Outback Recalls (2021-2023)
Every recall for model year 2021 and newer · Safety warnings · California lemon law
The 2021-2023 Subaru Outback has 7 recall campaigns for model year 2021 and newer, 0 with a do-not-drive warning, 0 with a park-outside fire warning, and 0 where NHTSA’s filing shows an interim notice or no final fix. Most involve transmission (4), air bags (1), lighting and visibility (1). Check your VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup, and if your Outback keeps going back to the dealer for the same problem, it may qualify under California’s lemon law.
What recalls does the Subaru Outback have?
- 2021-2022 Subaru Outback Passenger Air Bag Recall (24V227)
March 22, 2024 · 118,723 vehicles · Air BagsA 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.
- 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Park Recall (23V755)
November 9, 2023 · 95,830 vehicles · TransmissionAn 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.
- 2023 Subaru Outback Driveshaft Recall (23V647)
September 21, 2023 · 4,311 vehicles · TransmissionThe center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
Risk: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge.
- 2022 Subaru Impreza Windshield Recall (22V712)
September 22, 2022 · 42 vehicles · Lighting and VisibilityThe incorrect paint clearcoat may have been applied, which can cause the windshield to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Risk: An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Subaru will offer owners a vehicle exchange or repurchase, free of charge.
- 2021 Subaru Outback Chain and Belt Recall (22V485) Repeat recall
July 8, 2022 · 182 vehicles · TransmissionA 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.
- 2022 Subaru Outback Engine Control Module Recall (22V473)
July 1, 2022 · 15 vehicles · EngineThe engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
Risk: A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine wiring harness and ECU, free of charge.
- 2021 Subaru Outback Shift Linkage Recall (21V024)
January 26, 2021 · 383 vehicles · TransmissionThe continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.
Risk: A loose nut can lead to a lost of retention in the CVT select lever cable and the gear selector not functioning properly, increasing risk of crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, tighten the nut, free of charge.
Which Outback parts are recalled most?
| Recall area | Campaigns | Vehicles covered |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | 4 | 100,706 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 118,723 |
| Lighting and Visibility | 1 | 42 |
| Engine | 1 | 15 |
Which Outback model years have the most recalls?
| Model year | Recalls | Campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 | 24V227000 (air bags), 23V755000 (transmission), 22V485000 (transmission), 21V024000 (transmission) |
| 2022 | 4 | 24V227000 (air bags), 23V755000 (transmission), 22V712000 (lighting and visibility), 22V473000 (engine) |
| 2023 | 2 | 23V755000 (transmission), 23V647000 (transmission) |
How do I check my Outback for open recalls?
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. The lookup lists every open safety recall on that specific vehicle, so you will see which of the 7 Subaru Outback campaigns above apply to you. You can also ask any authorized Subaru dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is on your registration card, your insurance card, and a plate at the lower driver-side corner of the windshield. Brand-new recalls can take a few days to show up, so check again if you received a letter.
What are Outback owners reporting?
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA since 2020, by model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports, but the components that come up most often show where owners are having trouble.
| Model year | Complaints | Most reported components |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 296 | Visibility/Wiper (97), Electrical System (72), Unknown Or Other (65) |
| 2022 | 463 | Visibility/Wiper (255), Unknown Or Other (86), Electrical System (47) |
| 2023 | 89 | Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking (17), Electrical System (17), Visibility/Wiper (16) |
Excerpts from owner complaints (unverified):
I had the car only 10 days from the dealership, my husband and i were on the highway heading to an event when we heard a crack, i looked up and there was a horizontal crack heading from left to right in the windshield.
2021 SUBARU Outback owner, Visibility/Wiper, NHTSA complaint 11375885
Thermo Control Valve. Check engine light on. Eyesight Adaptive Cruise Control Automatic Emergency Braking Blind Spot Warning Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning Lane Keeping Assistance X mode Dealership would not honor repair even though there is recall it does not cover vin 63400 miles Vehicle inspected by manufacturer code P2682 Check engine light is…
2021 SUBARU Outback owner, Electrical System, NHTSA complaint 11652303
Front windshield glass developed spontaneous crack. Originating on the drivers side approximately 8 inches up from the bottom drivers side of the glass. Initially the crack was about 5 inches in length horizontal but quickly developed to be 12.5 inches over 24 hours in a garage. Glass is available for inspection.
2022 SUBARU Outback owner, Visibility/Wiper, NHTSA complaint 11635528
Can a recall make your Outback a lemon in California?
A recall alone does not make a Subaru Outback a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act looks at whether a warranty defect substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety and was not fixed within a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
1 of the 7 recalls listed here follow an earlier campaign on the same component, which can mean a first fix did not work. 5 involve the engine, transmission or high-voltage battery, the kinds of repairs that often take several visits or weeks of downtime.
Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the same defect was repaired two or more times when it is likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases, and owners outside that window can still have a claim. An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
What to keep: every repair order, the recall owner letters, your purchase or lease contract, and a log of dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure every visit is written up, even when the dealer says it found nothing.
More Subaru Outback lemon law pages
All Subaru recalls · 2021 Subaru Outback lemon law · 2022 Subaru Outback lemon law · 2023 Subaru Outback lemon law
Other Subaru models with recalls
Frequently asked questions about Subaru Outback recalls
How many recalls does the Subaru Outback have?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for 2021 and newer Subaru Outback vehicles as of October 1, 2026. The newest is 24V227000, filed March 22, 2024.
How do I check my Subaru Outback for open recalls?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask any authorized dealer to run it. Not every vehicle of a model year is included in each recall.
Are recall repairs free?
Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers. Ask the dealer to confirm before work begins.
Can I get a buyback for my Subaru Outback?
Possibly, if a covered defect was not fixed in a reasonable number of attempts or the vehicle spent a long time out of service. A recall alone is not enough, but repeat repairs or a failed recall fix can support a claim.
Sources
- NHTSA recalls
- NHTSA recall and complaint data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). Recall data from NHTSA. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. This page is general information, not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.