2021 Subaru CROSSTREK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
115 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
2,460 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility/Wiper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 115 complaints (25.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 20 | 17.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 6.1% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.5% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 3.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 29 |
| Unknown Or Other | 25 |
| Engine | 16 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 10 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 6 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 5 |
Visibility/Wiper: 29; Unknown Or Other: 25; Engine: 16; Electrical System: 14; Power Train: 12; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 10; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 6; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 98 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 25 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 18 |
2020: 2; 2021: 25; 2022: 25; 2023: 20; 2024: 15; 2025: 10; 2026: 18
Pattern summary
Visibility/Wiper leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11383551 · 2020-12-15 (December 15, 2020)
THE ENGINE STOP START FUNCTION CAUSES THE ENTIRE CAR TO SHAKE WHEN GOING FROM ENGINE OFF TO ENGINE ON. IT IS WORSE WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED AND THE STOP START RE-ENGAGES WHILE YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE.
Owner-reported narrative. 75 miles reported. Look up ODI 11383551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11414690 · 2021-05-01 (May 1, 2021)
THE LANE KEEPING FEATURE WILL RANDOMLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO VEER TOWARDS THE CENTER LINE AT A VARIETY OF SPEEDS AND UNDER A VARIETY OF CONDITIONS, REQUIRING IMMEDIATE DRIVER CORRECTION TO AVOID CROSSING THE CENTER LINE. NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED BUT THE SYSTEM IS NOW DEACTIVATED. IN ADDITION, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM DOES NOT RELIABLY ACQUIRE A VEHICLE AHEAD IF THAT VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND THE SPEED DIFFERENTIAL IS >30-40 MPH. WITHOUT DRIVER MANUAL BRAKING, A CRASH WOULD OCCUR.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 11414690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448675 · 2022-01-24 (January 24, 2022)
The battery dies completely, seemingly under colder conditions. In the first case it was after 6 days of not turning the car on, however the next time it happened after only a day and a half of not turning on the vehicle. The vehicle is only a few months old so the battery or other cause of the dead battery (eg alternator) are only a few months in use.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448675 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11450784 · 2022-02-07 (February 7, 2022)
The main battery drained completely while parked, once when left overnight, and once while on an errand for 30 minutes only. AAA jump-started car first time and Subaru Roadside Assistance the second. First incident was mid January 2022 when the new car had been in my possession for only 5 weeks (Dec 3 2021). Second incident happened one month later on February 5 2022. Subaru had no explanations other than I might have left doors open. In the second occurrence that was most definitely NOT true as I am now extra careful to turn everything electri…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11450784 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11424974 · 2021-07-15 (July 15, 2021)
SHUDDERING - CVT belt or pulley not working properly? JERKING, HESITATION - Crosstrek will not go when the gas pedal is pressed or hesitates or pauses for a moment after the gas pedal is engaged
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11424974 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11435175 · 2021-10-01 (October 1, 2021)
I have been experiencing shuddering/jerking/hesitation in my vehicle since July. The dealership has had it in their service department several times and cannot diagnose the issue. Subaru of America was contacted and gave no resolution to repairing the vehicle. They did not inspect the vehicle, rather gathered the "data" from the dealership. The shuddering/jerking/hesitation happens from a start to stop position and is incredibly dangerous when pulling out into traffic or crossing over lanes in a left hand turn. This malfunction can cause a…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11435175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11442196 · 2021-11-30 (November 30, 2021)
Problem 1)Had my '21 Sport for 7 days. Started stalling few times when shifting from P to R while on a slight incline (dash lights up like in Acc mode) after driving it for about 30 min before and then turning it off to go inside of the store, etc. after about 2-5 minutes of idling, the car engine stopped like I was in auto stop, but didn’t kick back on when I shift gears to reverse or when I applied gas. But then I hit the on/off button and engine turns over just fine. Problem 2) But today it started making a whirring sound with difficulty …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11442196 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11451073 · 2022-02-08 (February 8, 2022)
I just leased a new '21 Crosstrek Limited. With only 90 miles on the car, while driving on the highway using the adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, the vehicle started aggressively jerking over towards semi trucks (while going 70mph)- I had to give significant input to not be pulled into a semi truck. I turned off the feature then turned back on. Again, it was hard jerking only towards semi trucks. Drove back to the dealership. Their mechanic took for a drive and said the exact same thing, that it was "sketchy" and jerking towards se…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11451073 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11578354 · 2024-03-19 (March 19, 2024)
While the vehicle is moving. There is a loud pop noise from under the car. Subaru of America said it is a weld that is cracked. This pop noise is also felt in the steering wheel.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11578354 at NHTSA ↗