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2021 Subaru Legacy recalls and problems

The 2021 Subaru Legacy has 3 safety recalls and 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
32
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2021 Subaru Legacy vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2021 Subaru Legacy recalls

Recall 24V-227: Air Bags

Reported Mar 22, 2024 · 118,723 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Recall 23V-755: Power Train

Reported Nov 9, 2023 · 95,830 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Recall 22V-485: Power Train

Reported Jul 8, 2022 · 182 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

2021 Subaru Legacy problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Unknown or Other8
Air Bags6
Electrical System5
Visibility/Wiper5
Forward Collision Avoidance4
Service Brakes3
Back Over Prevention2
Engine2
Power Train2
Visibility1
Structure1
Seat Belts1

Most reported parts

  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 2
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 2
  • Visibility › Windshield — 1
  • Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking — 1
  • Structure › Body — 1
  • Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) — 1
  • Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 5,300 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2021 Subaru Legacy complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Service Brakes · reported Nov 4, 2026
Vehicle was being slowly accelerated in preparation to park. The car was moving slowly up a rocky driveway. Upon application of brake, vehicle accelerated and lunged into structure. Vehicle did come to a stop but not before collision. No airbags deployed either. Vehicle radio was on at the time. Damage to structure and to vehicle.
Engine · reported Jun 4, 2026
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…
Power Train · reported Nov 21, 2025
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
Electrical System · at 60,000 miles · reported Oct 27, 2025
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…
Power Train · reported Jul 21, 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 driving…

Other Subaru Legacy years

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Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2021 Subaru Legacy: 24V-227 (air bags), 23V-755 (power train), 22V-485 (power train). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Subaru Legacy?

Owners report unknown or other problems most often (8 reports), followed by air bags (6). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 5,300 miles.

Are Subaru recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Subaru dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.