Subaru · Crosstrek · 2021
2021 Subaru Crosstrek
1
Recall
100
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek has 1 recall and 100 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: visibility/wiper (26 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is visibility/wiper with 26 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 100 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are visibility/wiper (26), unknown or other (12), engine (8).
- Vehicle
- 2021 Subaru Crosstrek
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 100
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
15.6% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 23V755000November 09, 2023
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
100 totalUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 26, 2026
While driving 65mph on the freeway the front passenger window imploded into the car. This threatened the safety of both the driver and passenger as the glass flew at such high velocity it ended up in both occupants clothes, hair, and skin, the glass also was found as far as the t...
Preview excerpt
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Feb 20, 2026
On Friday evening, [XXX], while closing the rear driver-side window, I heard a loud mechanical snap, after which the window failed to operate. The window regulator has binding issues (as documented in Subaru TSB 07-189-21R). This mechanical binding disables the anti-entrapment (...
Preview excerpt
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Feb 2, 2026
The backup camera on my Subaru Crosstrek started to a stop working a few weeks ago. It first started to intermittently transmit a video feed that was fuzzy and the colors were completely incorrect. That started to follow with the camera not working about half the time at all o...
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FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
CRASHNov 5, 2025
Traveling at speed of 30MPH. A tocoma truck in front of me suddenly stopped in road lane. Driver said that his vehicle made an auto assist stop were the brakes lock. My 2021 Crosstrek eyesight/braking system failed. I saw the truck stop but the system failed and I went into the...
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STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Oct 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an unid...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Jul 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power in the middle of the roadway. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 17, 2025
P26A5 code came on after driving a little over 200 miles. It went off at one point but came back on and has not gone off.
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS
CRASH2 injuriesJun 29, 2025
We were rear ended on the interstate. Cars in front of us stopped and we also came to a complete stop and a few moments later we were hit. During the collision, none of the airbags were deployed. Both our front seats fully reclined backwards. None of our seatbelts locked. Only th...
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SERVICE BRAKES
Jun 27, 2025
Rear rotors delaminating at 33000 miles
SUSPENSION
Apr 2, 2025
Both front lower control arms have damaged bushing discovered at 48,840 miles by my mechanic. Took to local dealership on 8/16/25 and they claimed per TSB from Subaru for cracks that although it had cracks, it was not necessary to be replaced due to it not being cracked enough. ...
Preview excerpt
Showing 10 recent complaints from 100 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2021 Subaru models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Subaru Crosstrek Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek have?
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?
NHTSA has received 100 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek are visibility/wiper (26 reports), unknown or other (12 reports), engine (8 reports).
Does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.