2021 Subaru Crosstrek Problems and Recalls (114 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is Glass / wipers / cameras (26% of 114 owner reports). There are 2 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Glass / wipers / cameras — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 114 complaints · 2 recalls

What problems show up on the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?

30 of 114 filings named Glass / wipers / cameras (26% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Engine (13 reports).

There are 2 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Electrical and Transmission / driveline. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2020 has 68 reports on file; this year has 114. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 2 campaigns on file below.
  2. Glass / wipers / cameras. Check windshield, wipers and any camera or sensor the listing claims is there.
  3. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  4. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Glass / wipers / cameras. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Glass / wipers / cameras 30 complaints · 26.3% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 7
  • Fires 2
  • Injuries 6
  • Deaths 0
All Subaru Crosstrek years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) appears in 30 of 114 owner complaints (26.3%) in this vehicle snapshot. Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 30 complaints, 26.3% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 30 · 26.3% Engine (ENGINE): 13 complaints, 11.4% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 crash reports 2 fire reports 13 · 11.4% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 11 complaints, 9.7% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 crash reports 11 · 9.7% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 10 complaints, 8.8% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 10 · 8.8% Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE): 10 complaints, 8.8% of reports Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) 2 crash reports 10 · 8.8% Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION): 3 complaints, 2.6% of reports Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION) 3 · 2.6% Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE): 3 complaints, 2.6% of reports Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE) 3 · 2.6% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 3 complaints, 2.6% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 1 crash reports 3 · 2.6% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 3 complaints, 2.6% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 3 · 2.6% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 44 complaints, 38.6% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 2 crash reports 44 · 38.6% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 30 26.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 13 11.4% 1 crashes · 2 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 11 9.7% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 10 8.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) 10 8.8% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION) 3 2.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE) 3 2.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 3 2.6% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 3 2.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 44 38.6% 2 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2020; the first recall shown was reported in Feb 2023. 2020-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2021-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2021-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2021-Q3: 9 owner reports 9 2021-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2022-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2022-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2022-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2022-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2023-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2023-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2023-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 2024-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2024-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2024-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2025-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2025-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2025-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2026-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2026-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2026-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 Owner reports Oct 2020 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 23V080000 ◆ Recall campaign 23V080000 Recall campaign 23V755000 ◆ Recall campaign 23V755000 Investigation DP22005 ● Investigation DP22005
  • Campaign 23V080000 was reported 386 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 23V755000 was reported 847 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2020-Q4 Owner reports 2
2021-Q1 Owner reports 2
2021-Q2 Owner reports 9
2021-Q3 Owner reports 9
2021-Q4 Owner reports 5
2022-Q1 Owner reports 7
2022-Q2 Owner reports 7
2022-Q3 Owner reports 5
2022-Q4 Owner reports 6
2023-Q1 Owner reports 5
2023-Q2 Owner reports 7
2023-Q3 Owner reports 8
2024-Q1 Owner reports 8
2024-Q2 Owner reports 1
2024-Q3 Owner reports 3
2024-Q4 Owner reports 3
2025-Q1 Owner reports 2
2025-Q2 Owner reports 1
2025-Q3 Owner reports 3
2025-Q4 Owner reports 3
2026-Q1 Owner reports 4
2026-Q2 Owner reports 7
2026-Q3 Owner reports 7
Recall campaign 1 23V080000
Recall campaign 1 23V755000
Defect investigation 1 DP22005
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (2)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Electrical and Transmission / driveline.

  1. Recall campaign 23V080000

    Electrical

    Report date
    Component:
    Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    A 12-Volt battery that is unable to recharge can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the converter terminal mounting bracket. If corrosion is found on the terminals, the 12-Volt output harness and terminals will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 12, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-23.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 23V755000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 8 of 114 complaints · page 1 of 5
2026-08-24Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11758970
CrashFireInjuryDeath
There have been multiple instances where my car has failed to “restart” if the auto-start-stop feature is on. I immediately turn that setting off every time I get into my car because if I pause for too long at a light/stop sign etc.the engine will stall and turn off (without being in park). I have reported this to Subaru on many occasions and they’ve told me to replace the battery, so I did, and nothing changed. I’ve also replaced the starter and that didn’t help either. I’m now unable to turn my car off at gas stations because I’m worried it won’t restart. I just saw that a law suit has opened because of this electrical issue so I wanted to formally report my concerns. This needs to be a safety recall.
2026-08-21Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11758570
CrashFireInjuryDeath
We brought the vehicle in for routine maintenance. They reported that all brake hoses were bulging and at risk of failing at any time. They said that there was a related recall for a similar issue on other CrossTrek's but that ours was not included in the VIN list, so was not a part of the recall. This appears to be a serious component failure which could result in a fatal accident. The fact that this happened with all brake hoses indicates a defective component. We were lucky that we found it and were able to have it addressed before the brakes failed.
2026-07-31Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11754078
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Was driving on highway when all of the lights on my dash illuminated. Eventually I got a warning for oil at temp alarm. Was giving code P2757 and P0700. Looks like this a common issue in Subarus but doesn’t look like it covers anything after 2020.
2026-07-16Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11750897
CrashFireInjuryDeath
- Rod #4 failure of unknown cause, although there is speculation that current failure may be related to a major repair in oil system a year ago. - My safety along with my unborn child’s, husband’s and brother in law’s were all at risk. Another driver had to take evasive action to avoid hitting us in an active fast lane on I-70 going between 65-70 mph. There was no shoulder available to pull off on until a half mile up the road. - Yes the problem has been confirmed from the dealership partially. They did not identify a cause for the sudden failure. However stated it could not be determined if this failure is or is not related to a previous major engine repair made a year ago. - The engine has been inspected by the dealership and warranty company. - There were no warning signals prior to either engine failures. The first one being a year ago for head gasket failure that allowed oil to mix with coolant. With the most recent failure the engine ticked briefly after braking to merge for construction, the oil pressure light followed by engine light turned on 5 seconds before engine completely lost power.
2026-07-14Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11750393
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Viscous Coupling and center differential failing. unable to turn at low speeds. Low mileage vehicle, under 40,000. This is a several 1000$ repair that happens right after warranty
2026-07-14SUSPENSION
NHTSA ODI 11750237
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds and turning to the right or the left, the steering wheel and the vehicle were shaking and vibrating abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the control arms and struts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
2026-07-06Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11748542
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Thermo Control Valve (TCV) causes a check engine light to come on and disables eyesight issue started May 29, 2026. The check engine would go on and off. Now it just stays
2026-06-10Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11743228
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The DCM on our 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is causing a parasitic drain on the battery. It left us stranded several times. We replaced the battery twice in the past 15 months. There is a class action lawsuit against Subaru for this exact problem, but they won't replace it on our vehicle because it has over 45,000 miles. A defective DCM is a widely known problem with many Subaru models. We never received notice of this problem from Subaru, nor were there any warnings, messages, or indications that this was a problem, until we took it to a mechanic for service, who sent us to a Subaru dealer because it had to be repaired by them.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?

Owners named Glass / wipers / cameras most often — 30 of 114 reports (26%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Electrical and Transmission / driveline. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Check windshield, wipers and any camera or sensor the listing claims is there. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources