repaired · 2025 Q4
Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
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.
2021 Subaru CrosstrekProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 115 owner complaints about the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, most often about the visibility/wiper. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 23V-755 the manufacturer reports only 90% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 5, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek has problems
115 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
29Visibility/wiper
16Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
16Engine3 crash/fire/injury
14Power train2 crash/fire/injury
14Forward collision avoidance3 crash/fire/injury
5Lane departure
4Fuel/propulsion system
4Service brakes
4Visibility
2310 other systems4 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 29 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 16 | 1 |
| Engine | 16 | 3 |
| Power train | 14 | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 14 | 3 |
| Lane departure | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 1 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 |
| 10 other systems | 23 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2021 Subaru Crosstrek recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.
Best & worst years
2021 vs. every other Crosstrek year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Crosstrek median. How we score
'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2021 Subaru Crosstrek safety ratings
2021 Subaru Crosstrek SW AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (15.6% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: Optional
In owners' words
What Crosstrek owners report
Recent visibility/wiper complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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 mechanical binding disables the anti-entrapment (anti-pinch) safety…
Turned on defroster to clear window fog, window cracked along bottom of windshield about 3-4 inches from bottom along 2/3 the length of the windshield. No prior chips or scratches existed.
This is my 3rd Subaru. This one has now has 3 windshield cracks. 2 spontaneous, one by a tiny pebble. The photos are all from this one vehicle.
Own a 2021 Crosstrek?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.