2021 Subaru Crosstrek: Problems & Reliability
AVOID2021 Subaru Crosstrek: AVOID — 115 owner complaints, 1.2× the Crosstrek median year by raw count; top issue: visibility / wipers (29 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2021 is 2.01, where 1.00 is a typical Crosstrek year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 0.41. Most complaints are about non-critical systems; only 33% are severe (crash, fire, injury or a safety-critical system).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2015–2026 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
115
NHTSA complaints
1.2×
vs. median Crosstrek year
309
Service bulletins
1
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2021 Subaru Crosstrek problems
Visibility / wipers leads a spread-out record, named in 25% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2021 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility / wipers | 29 | 25% |
| Unknown or other | 25 | 22% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 14% |
| Engine | 16 | 14% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 14 | 12% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2021 Subaru Crosstrek recalls
1 recall campaign on federal record for the 2021 (reported Nov 9, 2023).
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 23V755000 | Nov 9, 2023 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch |
2021 Subaru Crosstrek service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 309 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2021 — close to the 297 of the median Crosstrek year from 2015 to 2026. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (188), engine (38), engine & cooling (34). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2021 vs. the year before and after
From the 2020 to the 2021, owner complaints rose 62% (71 → 115) — a step backward. The 2022 that followed fell by more than half (115 → 31), so the 2022 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Crosstrek | SOLID | 71 | 381 | 0 | — |
| 2021 (this page) | AVOID | 115 | 309 | 1 | — |
| 2022 Crosstrek | BEST | 31 | 232 | 0 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Subaru Crosstrek years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2021 Subaru Crosstrek
Visibility / wipers (29 complaints on the 2021): test the wipers at every speed, the washers, defrosters and the climate system.
Electrical system (16 complaints on the 2021): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Engine (16 complaints on the 2021): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Powertrain / transmission (14 complaints on the 2021): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Forward collision avoidance (14 complaints on the 2021): ask about false automatic-braking events and look for driver-assist warning messages.
Recalls: confirm the campaign above was completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2021 Subaru Crosstrek — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
- Verified buyer-paid target price for your exact make, model & trim
- DealDrive AI negotiator reads any dealer quote and writes your counteroffer
- Comparable real deals near you, from verified transactions
Found a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek for sale? See what the seller isn't telling you.
The CarWhere Used Car Report checks salvage records, salvage-auction listings, stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail, and full market history for one VIN — $16.99, one time.
FAQ
Is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
2021 Subaru Crosstrek: AVOID — 115 owner complaints, 1.2× the Crosstrek median year by raw count; top issue: visibility / wipers (29 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2021 is 2.01, where 1.00 is a typical Crosstrek year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 0.41.
What are the most common 2021 Subaru Crosstrek problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek are visibility / wipers (29, 25%), unknown or other (25, 22%), electrical system (16, 14%). The manufacturer has 309 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek have?
1 recall campaign on federal record for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, most recently 23V755000 (Nov 9, 2023, powertrain / transmission). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2021 Subaru Crosstrek before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.