Are there open safety recalls?
1 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek has 1 NHTSA safety recall on file, 114 owner complaints, and gets about 35 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2021 Subaru Crosstrek
- Engine 4-cyl 2L
- Drive All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular Gas and Electricity
- Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
6 injuries reported
6 of 114 reports (~5%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
5 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2021.
- 20197recalls
- 20200recalls
- 2021 · this car1recall
- 20220recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 27, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 5 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 4 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane-departure warning
- Optional
Tested as: 2021 Subaru Crosstrek SW AWD
Open safety recalls
1 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
-
Power Train
09/11/2023
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.
How they fix it: 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.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 27, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2021.
- 2019284reports
- 202068reports
- 2021 · this car114reports
- 202230reports
114 owner reports on file
8 crash mentions 2 fire mentions 6 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 114 total reports.
- VISIBILITY/WIPER 27 of 114
On Friday evening, [XXX], while closing the rear driver-side window, I heard a loud mechanical snap, after which the window failed to operate. The window regulator has binding issues (as documented in Subaru TSB 07-189-21R). This mechanica
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 20 of 114
Thermo Control Valve (TCV) causes a check engine light to come on and disables eyesight issue started May 29, 2026. The check engine would go on and off. Now it just stays
- POWER TRAIN 14 of 114
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 afte
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12 of 114
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 engi
- ENGINE 12 of 114
- Rod #4 failure of unknown cause, although there is speculation that current failure may be related to a major repair in oil system a year ago. - My safety along with my unborn child’s, husband’s and brother in law’s were all at risk. Anot
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 6 of 114
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. I saw the truck stop b
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 27, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
480 miles
estimated range on a full charge
About $1,750 per year for electricity
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to save about $4,250 on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 27, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 2L
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Fuel
Regular Gas and Electricity
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2 L
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (variable gear ratios)
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Fuel
- Regular Gas and Electricity
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 27, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recall was fixed
This model has 1 open NHTSA recall (including the power train). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
-
Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
-
Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2021 Subaru Crosstrek listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek? +
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, including the power train. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek get? +
The EPA rates the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek at 35 mpg combined (36 city / 35 highway), about $1,750 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek? +
Owners have filed 114 complaints with NHTSA for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, including 8 involving a crash. The most-reported area is visibility/wiper.
MORE SUBARU RESEARCH
FREE IN THE APP
Comparing a few cars? Save the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek and line it up against the others in the app.
No account. Saving and comparing cars is free.
FREE ON iOS
Shopping for a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?
Scan any VIN with your camera, save cars you’re comparing, and browse listings near you. All free. Same NHTSA and EPA data you see here, plus a camera-first VIN scanner.