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severe Owners of the 2021 Subaru Outback have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 Outback | 42 |
| 2018 Outback | 14 |
| 2019 Outback | 14 |
| 2020 Outback | 45 |
| 2021 Outback (this page) | 10 |
| 2022 Outback | 14 |
| 2023 Outback | 4 |
A loose nut can lead to a lost of retention in the CVT select lever cable and the gear selector not functioning properly, increasing risk of crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR690 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin announces a correction to the diagnostic procedures for certain CVT related DTCs, including P0730, P0746, P0747, P0841, P0846, P0867, P1867, P1894, and P2723.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change to the TR690 CVT control valve body which features an enhanced line pressure sensor O-ring, designed to prevent abnormal sensor readings caused by O-ring leakage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR690 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
Based on the 10 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 30,800 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.