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2021 Subaru Crosstrek

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Crosstrek years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek are substantially higher than the model-year median of 43.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 17 of 115 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

4 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

On two incidents randomly and without warning the car failed to accelerate while driving in traffic on an open road and I had to coast to safety and put in park, then drive, then travel less than five miles home. Both times I immediately scheduled service with suburu with appointments about a week out. The car drove without inc…

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On two incidents randomly and without warning the car failed to accelerate while driving in traffic on an open road and I had to coast to safety and put in park, then drive, then travel less than five miles home. Both times I immediately scheduled service with suburu with appointments about a week out. The car drove without incident while awaiting service. Service failed to replicate the problem, diagnose or remedy it after having the car a week and I was told“vehicle is operating properly at that time”. The second occurrence at the end of June was far more dangerous as I was traveling at a higher speed in heavy traffic on a multi lane road when it occurred Car is unsafe for me, passengers and other drivers. I risk being stranded. I have no sense of reliability or safety and the car is just now at 30k

NHTSA ODI #11603340

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2023
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I was driving my 2021 Subaru Crosstrek slowly in a parking lot when it unexpectedly accelerated on its own without me pressing the gas pedal. I believe the Crosstrek was now going 40mph. I tried to shut off the engine and brake at the same time but neither one had any effect. I thought maybe I had two options. Either hit anothe…

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I was driving my 2021 Subaru Crosstrek slowly in a parking lot when it unexpectedly accelerated on its own without me pressing the gas pedal. I believe the Crosstrek was now going 40mph. I tried to shut off the engine and brake at the same time but neither one had any effect. I thought maybe I had two options. Either hit another vehicle or pedestrian or turn my car into the curb. I decided to turn into the curb which resulted in the breaking of both axels, flattening all the tires, and sustaining damage to the front fender and headlight. The car was then towed to a garage we’re it was declared totaled. I checked the internet to see if this had occurred to any other Crosstrek. It turns out their is a class action suit pending for the same reason. Police records will show I was not drunk, sleeping, and the car mat was off gas pedal.12

NHTSA ODI #11504276

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2022
EngineForward Collision AvoidanceFuel/propulsion SystemFire

My brand new Subaru ignited in the engine compartment, burst into flames and exploded while I was driving it.

NHTSA ODI #11492551

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System

I was crossing two lanes of a very busy ocean front street when the engine “bogged down” . I let off on the gas pedal and then depressed it again, which then caused the engine to go off. I the quickly restarted the engine and was able to get out of the way of oncoming traffic. This was the only time the engine failed, but on a…

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I was crossing two lanes of a very busy ocean front street when the engine “bogged down” . I let off on the gas pedal and then depressed it again, which then caused the engine to go off. I the quickly restarted the engine and was able to get out of the way of oncoming traffic. This was the only time the engine failed, but on about three or four previous times, the engine “bogged down” when I depressed the gas pedal, but recovered after I quickly depressed the pedal again.

NHTSA ODI #11431202

Official recalls

1

23V755000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Nov 9, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.