RecallMyCar

2021 Subaru Legacy Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 2021 Subaru Legacy, and owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
31
owner complaints to NHTSA
27–30
MPG combined (EPA)

3 safety recalls for the 2021 Subaru Legacy

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Air bags: front passenger

    NHTSA 24V227000 Reported 118,723 vehicles potentially affected Subaru of America, Inc.

    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…

  2. Park/neutral start interlock switch (power train)

    NHTSA 23V755000 Reported 95,830 vehicles potentially affected Subaru of America, Inc.

    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.

  3. Chain/belt (power train) and power train: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

    NHTSA 22V485000 Reported 182 vehicles potentially affected Subaru of America, Inc.

    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…

31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2021 Subaru Legacy have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 17,850 miles. Complaints peaked in 2024 with 8 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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 veh”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 4, 2026 · Engine

“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 th”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 21, 2025 · Power train

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2021 Subaru Legacy (Legacy AWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined27–30 mpg
City / Highway24–27 / 32–35
FuelRegular
EPA classLarge Cars
Engine4 cyl, 2.4/2.5 L
TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S8)

Compare Subaru Legacy model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Subaru Legacy model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1987 Subaru Legacy01
1988 Subaru Legacy01
1989 Subaru Legacy01
1990 Subaru Legacy481
1991 Subaru Legacy378
1992 Subaru Legacy255
1993 Subaru Legacy177
1994 Subaru Legacy060
1995 Subaru Legacy2182
1996 Subaru Legacy3123
1997 Subaru Legacy5139
1998 Subaru Legacy4114
1999 Subaru Legacy394
2000 Subaru Legacy394
2001 Subaru Legacy777
2002 Subaru Legacy454
2003 Subaru Legacy1460
2004 Subaru Legacy1049
2005 Subaru Legacy9184
2006 Subaru Legacy787
2007 Subaru Legacy933
2008 Subaru Legacy965
2009 Subaru Legacy1365
2010 Subaru Legacy18150
2011 Subaru Legacy16167
2012 Subaru Legacy1690
2013 Subaru Legacy1266
2014 Subaru Legacy1053
2015 Subaru Legacy3160
2016 Subaru Legacy3147
2017 Subaru Legacy2119
2018 Subaru Legacy3117
2019 Subaru Legacy3123
2020 Subaru Legacy6121
2021 Subaru Legacy331
2022 Subaru Legacy234
2023 Subaru Legacy210
2024 Subaru Legacy017
2025 Subaru Legacy06

Checking a specific 2021 Subaru Legacy

How do I know if my 2021 Subaru Legacy has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 2021 Subaru Legacy; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Subaru dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 22V485000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Subaru models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.