2021 Subaru Crosstrek Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, and owners have filed 115 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Park/neutral start interlock switch (power train)
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.
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.
115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek have filed 115 complaints with NHTSA; 8 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 6 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 22,463 miles. Complaints peaked in 2021 with 25 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Drivers side door, interior automatic door lock switch spins and makes a clicking sound when you just start go forward.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 5, 2026 · Unknown or other
“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 to”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 24, 2026 · Electrical system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek (Crosstrek AWD, Crosstrek Hybrid AWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 25–35 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 22–36 / 29–35 |
| Fuel | Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2/2.5 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S8); Automatic (variable gear ratios); Manual 6-spd |
Compare Subaru Crosstrek model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Subaru Crosstrek model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 2 |
| 2013 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 26 |
| 2014 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 16 |
| 2015 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 17 |
| 2016 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 132 |
| 2017 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 94 |
| 2018 Subaru Crosstrek | 5 | 195 |
| 2019 Subaru Crosstrek | 7 | 284 |
| 2020 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 69 |
| 2021 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 115 |
| 2022 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 31 |
| 2023 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 34 |
| 2024 Subaru Crosstrek | 2 | 119 |
| 2025 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 44 |
| 2026 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 8 |
Checking a specific 2021 Subaru Crosstrek
How do I know if my 2021 Subaru Crosstrek has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Subaru dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 23V755000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Subaru models
- Outback9,756 complaints
- Forester6,498 complaints
- Legacy3,185 complaints
- Impreza2,651 complaints
- Ascent1,033 complaints
- WRX975 complaints
- Svx291 complaints
- Xv Crosstrek264 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.