2021 Subaru Legacy problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2021 Subaru Legacy. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 21% of relevant complaints.
Better than 86% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 7 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 16%).
Does the 2021 Subaru Legacy have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 5 of 24 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Subaru Legacy concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (21%). For comparison, the 2020 scores 9% and the 2022 scores 3%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
The rest of the picture on the 2021 Subaru Legacy
- Every owner quote, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 5 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows them, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2021 Subaru Legacy?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2021 Subaru Legacy involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 3 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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…
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…
1 other recall on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 17, 2026.
Checking one particular 2021 Subaru Legacy? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
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Does the 2021 Subaru Legacy have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 5 of 24 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Subaru Legacy concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (21%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2021 Subaru Legacy?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2021 Subaru Legacy involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 3 in total: 23V755000 (power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch), 22V485000 (power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Subaru Legacy years are better?
Among the Subaru Legacy years we track, the 2022 (3%), the 2019 (9%) and the 2020 (9%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2021 (21%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.
Should I buy a 2021 Subaru Legacy?
That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2021 Subaru Legacy shows no elevated engine or transmission pattern in owner complaints, which is a good starting point. It is still one car with its own history, so get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you commit.
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.