YearToAvoid

2021 Subaru Impreza Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

20/100

#13 most-complained of 16 Impreza years

The 2021 Subaru Impreza has a Complaint Index of 20, ranking 13th out of 16 model years and earning a "Best" verdict. It logged 14 complaints and 2 recalls, including one do-not-drive recall for a control arm weld failure.

Complaints
14
Recalls
2
incl. Do Not Drive
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
30
27 city / 35 hwy

Top 2021 Subaru Impreza problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (21%)
  2. Visibility & Wipers3 (21%)
  3. Engine2 (14%)
  4. Other2 (14%)
  5. Steering2 (14%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (14%)
  7. Airbags1 (7%)
  8. Brakes1 (7%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain1 (7%)

What owners report

  • Steering feels loose or fails to track straight, sometimes noticed as early as 700 miles and worsening at highway speed with a swerve sensation.
  • Vehicle unexpectedly moves forward or backward without driver input on the accelerator, even rolling over a speed bump on its own.
  • Adaptive cruise control has suddenly cut speed from 55 mph down to around 44 mph on a clear highway with no obstruction.
  • A tire noise and pull to the right occurred at about 30 mph, with the vehicle developing a loud abnormal sound before the driver pulled over.
  • Windshields have cracked spontaneously in a "J" shape from the defroster area, with one owner reporting this happened twice.
  • Side mirror plastic components have melted from heat and sunlight, reducing visibility while driving on the highway.
2021 Subaru Impreza complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2021May 2021Jan 2022Jun 2022Nov 2022Apr 2023
17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2021 to Sep 2024; peak Oct 2022 (3).

2021 Subaru Impreza recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V675000Aug 30, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires802 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Impreza vehicles. The left-front lower control arm weld may fail, allowing the control arm to separate from the crossmember.

    Risk: A separated control arm may cause the tire to contact the wheel well, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the control arm as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRI-21.

  2. NHTSA 21V024000Jan 26, 2021Transmission & Powertrain383 vehicles

    Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod

    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.

    Risk: 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.

    Remedy: Subaru 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.

2021 Subaru Impreza fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
35 MPG
Combined
30 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,150
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 Impreza years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Avoid87194528.5
2020Caution5385128
2021Best20142 !30
2022Best713130
2023No verdict04230

All Subaru Impreza years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Impreza has a Complaint Index of 20 and ranks 13th out of 16 model years, giving it a "Best" verdict relative to other Impreza years.
Does the 2021 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2021 Impreza. One is a do-not-drive recall for a left-front lower control arm weld that could fail, and the other involves a CVT select lever cable nut that could loosen.
What is the top complaint area for the 2021 Impreza?
Collision Avoidance & Cameras and Visibility & Wipers are tied as the top problem areas, each accounting for 3 complaints, or 21% of the total, out of 14 complaints filed.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Subaru Impreza?
The EPA rates the 2021 Impreza at 30 mpg combined (27 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150.
How many crashes or injuries were reported for the 2021 Impreza?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 1 injury among the 14 complaints filed for the 2021 Impreza, with no reported fires or deaths.

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.