NHTSA has received 14 owner complaints about the 2021 Subaru Impreza, or 2.4 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.06, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #2 of 85 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Subaru models its rate is 93% lower; against other Compact cars it is 89% 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
Limited data: fewer than 30 complaints, so shares and indexes are unstable.
Complaints filed between 2021-03-31 and 2024-09-10. Median delay from incident to filing: 3 days.
14Complaints
2.4Complaints per year on the road
0.06Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls · ⚠ 1
7.1%Share involving a crash or fire
0Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 12.5 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 2.7 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 11 complaints, 82% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Driver-assist systems (21.4% of complaints), followed by Steering (14.3%) and Wheels, tires & suspension (14.3%). Driver-assist systems complaints are 3.7 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 1 report (7.1%) describes a crash or fire; owners mention 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 17 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (50% of incidents). 0 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.06
vs. other Subaru models0.07
vs. other 2021 models0.06
vs. other Compact cars0.11
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (11)0.18
The Eye Sight front collision warning did a hard brake going 55 mph when a car was well ahead of me slowing down to turn right. I was almost rear ended by the car behind me. This isn't the first time it's happened
Driver-assist systems · 2023-04-07 · ODI 11516020
Went to my car this morning and the windshield was cracked on the top center from the edge of the windshield to around where the rear view mirror is. This crack was not there last night when I parked my car.
Unspecified or other · 2023-03-26 · ODI 11513829
Plastic parts of side mirror melt easily by heat and sunlight. (Not only side mirror, but also other components with the same plastic parts) It bothers driver visibility and safety when driving highway.
Body & structure · 2022-11-25 · ODI 11494907
Vehicle is at 23520 miles, front brake pads are worn to 1mm on passenger side and 2mm on front driver side. Vehicle had been taken on October 04, 2022 for repairs and local Subaru dealer refuses to repair it, even though warranty still applicable for defects…
Brakes · 2022-10-30 · ODI 11491546
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM Campaign 21V675000 · 2021-08-30
⚠ Park-outside / do-not-drive warning
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Impreza vehicles. The left-front lower control arm weld may fail, allowing the control arm to separate from the crossmember.
Risk: A separated control arm may cause the tire to contact the wheel well, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the control arm as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRI-21.
POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD Campaign 21V024000 · 2021-01-26
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Outback and Impreza vehicles. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.
Risk: A loose nut can lead to a lost of retention in the CVT select lever cable and the gear selector not functioning properly, increasing risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, tighten the nut, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-21.
