YearToAvoid

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek ranks third-worst of 14 model years with a complaint index of 85 and 115 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Top problem areas are visibility/wipers, engine, and unintended acceleration reports, plus one transmission inhibitor switch recall.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
85/100
#3 of 14 Crosstrek years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
115
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
8
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
6
Top issue
Visibility & Wipers
Best nearby year
2015
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29.5
27.5 city / 33.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Top 2021 Subaru Crosstrek problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Visibility & Wipers33 (29%)
  2. Other26 (23%)
  3. Engine19 (17%)
  4. Electrical System17 (15%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras17 (15%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain14 (12%)
  7. Structure & Body6 (5%)
  8. Lane Departure5 (4%)
  9. Brakes4 (3%)
  10. Fuel System4 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Vehicles reportedly rolled or lurched in reverse or accelerated unexpectedly while parking, in some cases even after the driver applied the brake.
  • Drivers described the engine losing power on the highway, sometimes with smoke, after the check engine light came on.
  • One owner reported the engine compartment catching fire and the vehicle bursting into flames while driving.
  • Several owners said the EyeSight collision-avoidance system failed to detect a stopped vehicle ahead or triggered late, leading to a rear-end collision.
  • One owner reported a vehicle rolling away in park on a hill after making a clicking sound before releasing.
  • An owner reported a rear-end collision where seatbelts failed to lock and a headrest broke off.
2021 Subaru Crosstrek complaints: complaints filed per quarter92020 Q42021 Q32022 Q22023 Q12024 Q12024 Q42025 Q32026 Q2
115 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2020 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2021 Q2 (9).

2021 Subaru Crosstrek recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V755000Nov 9, 2023Transmission & Powertrain95,830 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch

    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.

    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.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27.5 MPG
Highway
33.5 MPG
Combined
29.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,200
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other Crosstrek years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Avoid92284729
2020Caution6269030
2021Avoid85115129.5
2022Good3131029
2023Good4634029.5

All Subaru Crosstrek years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Crosstrek ranks third-worst among 14 Crosstrek model years with a complaint index of 85, and it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?
NHTSA complaints show visibility and wiper issues as the top problem area at 29% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 17% and electrical system issues at 15%.
Does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 23V755000, for an insufficient weld that can let water enter the transmission inhibitor switch, causing it to fail. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2021 Crosstrek compare to other model years?
The 2021 model's complaint index of 85 is worse than the 2022 (31) and 2023 (46) model years, which both carry Good verdicts, but better than the 2019 (92) and 2024 (100), which are also rated Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?
EPA rates the 2021 Crosstrek at 29.5 mpg combined (27.5 city / 33.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,200.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.