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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

115 reports
6,600 miles · Apr 21, 2021
Unknown Or Other

I HAD A CRACKED WINDSHIELD ABOUT A QUARTER INCH BULLSEYE WITH WEBBING ABOUT 8-9 INCHES. DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED DURING DRIVING OR ON THE ROAD. IT WAS PARKED THE NIGHT ON FRIDAY UNTIL IT WAS DISCOVERED LATE AFTERNOON ON A SATURDAY.

NHTSA ODI #11413138

2,460 miles · Mar 22, 2021
Visibility/wiper

THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT WHILE PARKED.

NHTSA ODI #11404369

1,000 miles · Mar 14, 2021
Visibility/wiper

WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THE CAR. NEVER HEARD OR SAW ANY ROCK OR OTHER DEBRIS HIT THE WINDSHIELD

NHTSA ODI #11402925

75 miles · Dec 15, 2020
Engine

THE ENGINE STOP START FUNCTION CAUSES THE ENTIRE CAR TO SHAKE WHEN GOING FROM ENGINE OFF TO ENGINE ON. IT IS WORSE WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED AND THE STOP START RE-ENGAGES WHILE YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE.

NHTSA ODI #11383551

15 miles · Dec 8, 2020
Suspension

ON 11/30/2020 I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW SUBARU CROSSTREK FROM SHEEHY SUBARU IN SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA. IT HAD 15 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. ON 12/01/2020 IT WAS DELIVERED TO ME AT MY RESIDENCE IN WASHINGTON, DC. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR WHENEVER I TOOK A TURN OR WENT OVE…

Read full complaint

ON 11/30/2020 I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW SUBARU CROSSTREK FROM SHEEHY SUBARU IN SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA. IT HAD 15 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. ON 12/01/2020 IT WAS DELIVERED TO ME AT MY RESIDENCE IN WASHINGTON, DC. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR WHENEVER I TOOK A TURN OR WENT OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, INCLUDING SPEED BUMPS. WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF TAKING POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO NOTIFY THEM THAT I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE NOISE. THEY DISMISSED THE NOISE AS A REGULAR PART OF THE "NEW VEHICLE BREAK-IN PROCESS" AND CLAIMED THAT IT WOULD GO AWAY QUICKLY. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MORE MILES TO SEE IF THE NOISE DISAPPEARED, I BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY BECAUSE THE NOISE ONLY APPEARED TO BE INCREASING, SO I STOPPED USING THE VEHICLE. ON 12/05/20, THE FIRST DAY POSSIBLE, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT QUICKLY CONFIRMED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE SUSPENSION OF THE CAR, BUT THEY WERE NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT. THEY INDICATED IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT. IT IS NOW 12/08/20 AND THE CAR IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. SO, IN SHORT, A NEW CAR WITH 15 MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHEN I PURCHASED IT HAS NOW SPENT AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF TIME IN MY POSSESSION AS IT HAS SPENT IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS TO THE SUSPENSION. I WORRY THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT LIMITED TO MY VEHICLE ALONE AS IT IS AN ADMITTED MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT APPARENTLY CANNOT BE REPAIRED QUICKLY.

NHTSA ODI #11378562

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.