NHTSA has received 115 owner complaints about the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, or 20.3 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.48, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #42 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Subaru models its rate is 49% lower; against other Subcompact SUVs it is 17% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2020-12-08 and 2026-08-24. Median delay from incident to filing: 4 days.
115Complaints
20.3Complaints per year on the road
0.48Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls
8.7%Share involving a crash or fire
21Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 10.2 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 6.4 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 52 complaints, 15% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Body & structure (30.4% of complaints), followed by Engine (14.8%) and Electrical (12.2%). Body & structure complaints are 3.3 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Body & structure reports, owners most often mention “windshield”, “crack”, “chips”, “rock” and “pebble”. 10 reports (8.7%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 6 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 26 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (26% of incidents). In the last 12 months 21 new complaints were filed, versus 10 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year. 23% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Pedestrian alert sounds” (opened 2023-01-27, closed 2023-08-07).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.48
vs. other Subaru models0.51
vs. other 2021 models0.53
vs. other Subcompact SUVs0.83
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (52)0.85
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.
Driver-assist systems · 2025-11-06 · ODI 11697827 · Crash
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.
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…
Electrical · 2026-08-24 · ODI 11758970
We brought the vehicle in for routine maintenance. They reported that all brake hoses were bulging and at risk of failing at any time.
Brakes · 2026-08-21 · ODI 11758570
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.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-07-31 · ODI 11754078
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH Campaign 23V755000 · 2023-11-09
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Crosstrek Hybrid vehicles. The harness terminal that supplies low-voltage power from the converter to the 12-Volt battery may corrode and break, preventing the 12-Volt battery from charging.
Risk: 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.
DP22005 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM · Opened 2023-01-27 · Closed 2023-08-07 · Campaign 22V063000 · Model years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?
115 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, or about 20.3 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?
The most common category is Body & structure, accounting for 30.4% of complaints.
Does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall(s) for this model year. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Pedestrian alert sounds” (opened 2023-01-27, closed 2023-08-07).
Is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 21 new complaints were filed, versus 10 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
How does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 115 owner complaints about the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, or 20.3 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.48, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #42 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Subaru models its rate is 49% lower; against other Subcompact SUVs it is 17% lower.