Cracks or chips appearing on the windshield, often spontaneously or with minor temperature changes. Estimated repair cost: $400 - $800.

Vehicle fails to start, often requiring a jump-start or battery replacement, even on relatively new vehicles. Estimated repair cost: $150 - $300.

Infotainment/EyeSight System Glitches

System reboots, freezes, or fails to activate, potentially disabling safety features like Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB). Estimated repair cost: $500 - $1500.

Potential failure of front passenger airbag deployment due to faulty occupant classification sensors. Estimated repair cost: Covered by Recall.

Problems related to shift linkage, driveline chain/belt, and transmission interlock switch/control module. Estimated repair cost: $500 - $2000+.

CARFOCALvehicle research

2021 Subaru Outback Maintenance guide

Name: Maintenance dataset for 2021 Subaru Outback
Creator: Carfocal

v1.0Updated May 30, 2026Ryan Davis4 Sources Analyzed2 Critical Recalls

MAINTENANCE SUMMARY

The 2021 Subaru Outback requires diligent attention to its windshield integrity and electrical system health, with frequent reports of spontaneous cracking and battery drain. Proactive inspections and maintenance are crucial for mitigating these prevalent issues and ensuring reliable operation.

View Critical Issue: Transmission Issues

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Reliability Score

Est. Annual Maintenance Cost

$500 - $1000

TSBs & Recalls

78 TSBs | 6 Recalls

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Key Takeaways

Windshield Cracking: The most frequent complaint, often occurring without obvious cause. Regular inspection and prompt repair are crucial.
Battery Drain: Early-life battery drain issues are common, leading to no-start conditions. Monitoring battery health is advised.

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Critical service intervals

Common failure analysis

Symptoms and prevention guidance