What is a Carchieve vehicle history report?

A Carchieve report is a complete safety and records check on any U.S. vehicle. Enter the 17-character VIN and you get the decoded vehicle identity and full specifications, every open safety recall, owner-reported complaints by system, official NHTSA crash-test ratings, and a buyer action plan, in one clean report and a downloadable PDF.

How is Carchieve different from a typical VIN lookup?

Carchieve doesn't just dump raw data. It authenticates the VIN, organizes every federal safety record into a buyer-ready dossier, scores the vehicle, and tells you exactly what to inspect, ask and verify before you pay, the way a careful mechanic would read the car.

How fast will I get my report?

Reports are generated in under a minute. As soon as your VIN is checked against the recall, complaint, ratings and identity databases, your report and PDF are ready to view and download.

Can I buy more than one report?

Yes. A single report is $24.99. If you're comparing several cars, the 3- and 5-report bundles save you money per report and the extra credits stay in your account until you use them.

What information do I need to run a report?

Only the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN is on the lower-left corner of the windshield, the driver-side door jamb, and the vehicle title or registration.

Where does the data come from?

Every report is built from authoritative U.S. vehicle databases, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall, complaint and 5-Star safety-rating programs and the federal VIN product information catalog. Carchieve authenticates the VIN check digit so you know the identity is genuine.

Can I share the report with a seller or mechanic?

Yes. Every report includes a professionally formatted PDF you can download, print, or forward to a private seller, dealer, or mechanic to support your buying decision.

2021 Subaru Outback Recalls, Complaints & Safety Ratings

The 2021 Subaru Outback has 4 open safety recalls and 290 owner complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it earned an overall 5-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Below is the public safety record. To see whether a specific Outback had its recalls repaired and how its mileage and title check out, run that car's VIN.

Safety recalls

POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD

Campaign 21V024000 · 26/01/2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Outback and Impreza vehicles. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.

RiskA 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.

RemedySubaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, tighten the nut, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-21.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Campaign 22V485000 · 08/07/2022

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.

RiskAn improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

RemedyDealers 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 of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-22. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

Campaign 23V755000 · 09/11/2023

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.

RiskAn inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.

RemedyDealers 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.

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Campaign 24V227000 · 22/03/2024

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.

RiskAn air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

RemedyDealers 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 recall is WRA-24.

What owners complain about

The systems 2021 Subaru Outback owners report most often to federal regulators:

Visibility107

Wiper97

Electrical System72

Unknown Or Other63

Forward Collision Avoidance28

Engine20

NHTSA crash-test ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★

Side crash★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Overall★★★★★

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

Yes. The 2021 Subaru Outback has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Check your specific VIN to see whether the work was completed.

What problems do 2021 Subaru Outback owners report?

Owners have filed 290 complaints with the NHTSA for the 2021 Subaru Outback, most often about the visibility, wiper, electrical system.

How do I check a specific Outback's history?

Enter the 17-character VIN into Carchieve. You get the recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings shown here for that exact vehicle, plus full decoded specifications and a guided title and odometer check.

2021 Subaru Outback: Recalls, Complaints & Safety Ratings

Safety recalls

POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

What owners complain about

NHTSA crash-test ratings

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

What problems do 2021 Subaru Outback owners report?

How do I check a specific Outback's history?

Check a specific 2021 Subaru Outback

2021 Subaru Outback: Recalls, Complaints & Safety Ratings

Safety recalls

POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

What owners complain about

NHTSA crash-test ratings

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

What problems do 2021 Subaru Outback owners report?

How do I check a specific Outback's history?

Check a specific 2021 Subaru Outback

Other model years