Buying a brand new car is exciting. You get to choose the make, model, color, and features that fit your preferences perfectly. You can drive off the lot and enjoy that new car smell, knowing that you’ve made an investment that should last for years.
But what if the car you buy turns out to have unexpected problems? When you’re buying a brand new car, you run the risk of the year model having issues that haven’t been discovered by the manufacturer or other drivers. That’s precisely what happened to people who bought the 2021 Subaru Outback.
Many people trusted Subaru as a reliable brand and didn’t hesitate to buy the newest model. However, the 2021 model already has hundreds of complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here’s what you need to know about the most recent Subaru Outback’s problems, what they mean for owners, and how to get your vehicle fixed if you’ve already bought one.
Problems with the 2021 Subaru Outback
Comparing the 2021 year model of the Outback to other years, there’s a clear pattern. Despite the car having only been out a year, it’s on track to exceed the number of NHTSA complaints from most recent years.
Drivers can report problems to the NHTSA when they experience issues that could be safety hazards. The NHTSA collects these complaints to determine whether an entire vehicle model is defective. Many drivers are directed to the NHTSA when they take their car to a mechanic who either can’t fix the issue or has fixed the same problem for them multiple times.
That’s exactly what’s been happening with the 2021 Subaru Outback. The vehicle has a range of problems. The most common complaints cover “exterior accessory” issues, specifically related to the windshield. Drivers are walking out to their cars in the morning and discovering cracks across their front windshield with no sign of impacts that may have caused them.
Some drivers have replaced their windshields as many as four times, with the cracks reoccurring multiple times in less than a year of ownership. The NHTSA has received 42 complaints about this issue alone. Cracked windshields can be deadly, especially if a simple crack turns into a spiderweb fracture and obscures the driver’s vision while they’re on the road.
Other problems haunt the car’s electrical systems. The touch screen and center console are prone to unexpected shutoffs. This may not be an issue in older cars, but in the 2021 Outback, this console controls critical elements like cruise control and navigation. People experiencing these shutoffs while using cruise control experience sudden deceleration even at highway speeds. This can trigger accidents, especially if someone is driving during regular high-volume commuting hours.
Other problems include reports of jerky transmissions, failures of the heating and cooling systems, and rapidly drained batteries. All told, if you’re considering a Subaru Outback as your next car purchase, it may be a better investment to get a lightly used car from 2020 or before that has been proven to not suffer these issues.
How to Get Your 2021 Subaru Outback Fixed
If you’ve already bought a 2021 Outback, you may be worried that you’re out of luck. Fortunately, if you live in California, that’s not the case. Here’s what you can do to get your car fixed or even bought back.
Get Your Outback Checked Out ASAP
The first and most important step for getting your vehicle repaired is taking it to a mechanic early. Don’t wait around once you notice any of the problems mentioned above. The sooner you take it to a mechanic, the better.
There are two reasons for that. First, if your problem isn’t the result of a warranty issue, then a fast repair can prevent it from becoming something worse. Second, if your Outback does have a warranty problem, you need to create a paper trail. To get your car fixed or replaced through its warranty, you need to prove that the issue began within the first 18 months you owned the vehicle.
Take Your Outback to the Dealership
If your regular mechanic can’t fix the problem or believes it’s a warranty issue, it’s time to take it to the experts. The mechanics at the Subaru dealership from which you bought your car are well-trained in the manufacturer’s makes and models. They will better understand what might be causing the issue and how to fix it.
Dealership mechanics are also directly connected to the manufacturer in many cases. They are typically responsible for making warranty repairs. If they can’t repair the issue, you have a better that your care can’t be fixed.
File a Lemon Claim
If your car still isn’t fixed after multiple trips to the dealership mechanic, then it’s time to take the final step. Filing a lemon claim with the manufacturer is your best bet if you believe your vehicle can’t be repaired.
Just make sure your car is eligible for a lemon claim before you file. A vehicle is considered a lemon if:
- It’s spent more than 30 days in the shop for repairs
- The manufacturer has made four attempts to fix non-deadly flaws, or two attempts to fix deadly issues
- The issues appeared in the first 18 months of ownership
- You didn’t cause the problems through neglect
If your car meets these requirements, then you can file a claim to have the manufacturer replace or refund the car as you prefer.
Don’t Live with a Bad Investment
There’s no reason for you to feel stuck with a Subaru that’s not safe. If you’ve already bought a 2021 Outback, you have plenty of options. You can take steps to get your Outback fixed for good by using California’s clear warranty laws.
If your car isn’t fixable, you can make a lemon claim. Even if you’re not sure if your vehicle is eligible, it’s still worth reaching out to an experienced lemon law lawyer to find out. Get in touch with the Lemon Law Guys today to discuss your situation. They can help you understand your options and get your car fixed or replaced.
