2021 Subaru CROSSTREK: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11378562 · 2020-12-08 (December 8, 2020)
ON 11/30/2020 I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW SUBARU CROSSTREK FROM SHEEHY SUBARU IN SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA. IT HAD 15 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. ON 12/01/2020 IT WAS DELIVERED TO ME AT MY RESIDENCE IN WASHINGTON, DC. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR WHENEVER I TOOK A TURN OR WENT OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, INCLUDING SPEED BUMPS. WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF TAKING POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO NOTIFY THEM THAT I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE NOISE. THEY DISMISSED THE NOISE AS A REGU…
Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 11378562 at NHTSA ↗
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 11402925 · 2021-03-14 (March 14, 2021)
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THE CAR. NEVER HEARD OR SAW ANY ROCK OR OTHER DEBRIS HIT THE WINDSHIELD
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11402925 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11404369 · 2021-03-22 (March 22, 2021)
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT WHILE PARKED.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,460 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413138 · 2021-04-21 (April 21, 2021)
I HAD A CRACKED WINDSHIELD ABOUT A QUARTER INCH BULLSEYE WITH WEBBING ABOUT 8-9 INCHES. DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED DURING DRIVING OR ON THE ROAD. IT WAS PARKED THE NIGHT ON FRIDAY UNTIL IT WAS DISCOVERED LATE AFTERNOON ON A SATURDAY.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413138 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11414309 · 2021-04-28 (April 28, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS APPROXIMATELY EIGHT INCHES LONG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,050.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 11414309 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 11415184 · 2021-05-04 (May 4, 2021)
MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH EYESIGHT, WHICH IS A SUBARU TECHNOLOGY THAT INCLUDES ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISON WARNING/BREAKING, LANE DEPARTURE WARNING, REAR AUTOMATIC BRAKING, ETC. SUBARU CLAIMS THAT WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS MUST USE SUBARU GLASS DUE THE OPTICAL CLARITY OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THAT THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM MUST BE RECALIBRATED. THIS IS A $1339 COST (VIA SAFELIGHT) TO REPLACE THE WINDSHEILD. I HAVE 8400 MILES ON MY VEHICLE, AND I AM GETTING READY TO HAVE THE SECOND WINDSHIELD PUT ON THE CAR. THE GLASS SIMPLY BREAKS …
Owner-reported narrative. 8,308 miles reported. Look up ODI 11415184 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V755000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Reported: 2023-11-09 (November 9, 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.
Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗