2021 Subaru Legacy Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Subaru Legacy.

20202022
Complaints
42
per 10K Sold
18.4
US Sales
22,766
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2021 Subaru Legacy Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#16 complaints

Airbags

#25 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:60,000 mi
#35 complaints

Wipers & Visibility

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Subaru Legacy.

Airbags
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical Faults
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
60,000
Wipers & Visibility
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Subaru Legacy. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2021 Subaru Legacy

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~214,735 vehicles.

24V227000Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger
~118,723 affected

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.

23V755000Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch
~95,830 affected

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.

22V485000Power Train:driveline:chain/belt · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
~182 affected

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.

Other Subaru Legacy Years

2021 Subaru Legacy — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2021 Subaru Legacy has 42 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 6 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 Subaru Legacy?
Top reported problems: Airbags (6 complaints); Electrical Faults (5 complaints, avg 60,000 mi); Wipers & Visibility (5 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Subaru Legacy?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 60,000 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2021 Subaru Legacy?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Subaru Legacy include 0 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2021 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 214,735 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2021 Subaru Legacy?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Subaru Legacy reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2021 Subaru Legacy

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