YearToAvoid

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Visibility & Wipers Problems

Visibility & Wipers complaints make up 33 of 115 total complaints (29%) for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, almost all involving spontaneous windshield cracking. Median mileage at failure is 4,080. NHTSA lists no related recall for this issue.

Visibility & Wipers complaints
33
29% of 115
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
4,080 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical visibility and wiper symptoms owners report

  • Windshield develops a crack, often starting near the center or driver's side, with owners reporting no rock strike or visible impact.
  • Cracks appear suddenly while driving on the highway or sitting parked, then grow several inches over hours or days.
  • Some owners tie the cracking to the Eyesight driver-assist system, noting the glass must be Subaru-specific and that recalibration after replacement can be costly.
  • Several reports describe the crack forming at very low mileage, in some cases under 1,000 miles or within the first months of ownership.
  • Owners describe the glass as feeling fragile compared to other vehicles, with spiderweb-style cracking that becomes more visible in direct sunlight.

When 2021 Subaru Crosstrek visibility and wiper complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 14, 2021, latest Feb 26, 2026.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek visibility & wipers complaints: complaints filed per month4Mar 2021Jun 2021Dec 2021May 2022Sep 2022Jan 2023Jun 2023Feb 2024
33 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2021 to Feb 2026; peak Jun 2021 (4).

Visibility & Wipers recalls for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Visibility & Wipers complaints by Crosstrek model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20120 (0%)
  2. 20131 (4%)
  3. 20140 (0%)
  4. 20150 (0%)
  5. 20166 (5%)
  6. 201725 (27%)
  7. 201872 (37%)
  8. 2019123 (43%)
  9. 202034 (49%)
  10. 202133 (29%)
  11. 20226 (19%)
  12. 20237 (21%)
  13. 202422 (19%)
  14. 202512 (28%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are windshield and wiper complaints on the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?
NHTSA lists 33 Visibility & Wipers complaints for the 2021 Crosstrek, which is 29% of all 115 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for windshield cracking on the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?
No. NHTSA shows no related recalls tied to the Visibility & Wipers complaints for this model year.
At what mileage do these windshield problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 4,080 miles, indicating many cracks appear early in ownership.
Did the windshield issue cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA records zero crashes, fires, or injuries linked to these Visibility & Wipers complaints for the 2021 Crosstrek.
Is 2021 worse than other Crosstrek years for this issue?
The 2021 model's 29% share is lower than 2019 (43%) and 2020 (49%), but higher than 2022 (19%) and 2024 (19%), based on NHTSA data across model years.

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.