2021 Subaru IMPREZA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
1,700 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility/Wiper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 14 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 21.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.1% |
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 | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Visibility/Wiper: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 2; Steering: 2; Tires: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 11 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2021: 5; 2022: 6; 2023: 2; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility/Wiper leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 11405795 · 2021-03-31 (March 31, 2021)
THIS CAR WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT. NICE FIRM STEERING, BUT SIMPLY WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT. THERE IS NO SENSE OF CENTER. IF LEFT ALONE, THE STEERING WILL GO SLIGHTLY LEFT, OR SLIGHTLY RIGHT, BUT NEVER CENTER. THIS IS ANNOYING FAIR WEATHER, BUT OUTRIGHT DANGEROUS IN WEATHER OR WIND. A MAJOR IMPACT ON VEHICLE STABILITY AND SAFETY. THIS CAR IS NEW, WITH 700 MILES AND HAS DONE THIS SINCE DAY ONE. A SUBARU DEALER IS CHECKING THE ALIGNMENT, BUT THEY SAY THE ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, AND HAVE NO ANSWERS. EVEN AN ALIGNMENT MAY NOT FIX THE ISSUE. FOR THE R…
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11405795 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11406308 · 2021-04-04 (April 4, 2021)
THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM DRIVER. DRIVER DID NOT APPLY PRESSURE TO GAS PEDAL HOWEVER THE CAR STILL MOVES BOTH FORWARD AN BACKWARDS. CAR ACCELERATED ENOUGH TO DRIVE OVER A SPEED BUMP WITHOUT STOPPING, ROUGHLY 5 MPH. THREE VIDEOS WERE TAKEN TO DOCUMENT THE ISSUE. THE EVENT HAPPEN IN A PARKING LOT, THE CAR WAS STOPPED AT FIRST HOWEVER AS SOON AS THE DRIVER REMOVED PRESSURE FROM BRAKES PAFEL, THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT INPUT. THE CAR DIDNT SLOW DOWN EVEN WHEN TURNING, IN FACT THE CAR APPEARS TO HAVE SPEED UP. UNABLE TO UP LOAD VID…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11406308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413520 · 2021-04-23 (April 23, 2021)
CRACKED WINDSHIELD WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF PURCHASING NEW 2021 SUBARU IMPREZA HATCHBACK AWD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11413520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11417861 · 2021-05-20 (May 20, 2021)
Tiers are Yokohama P225/40R18 88V This vehicle now has slightly more than 8,000 miles and has only been driven over local roads under normal operating conditions and speeds. A couple of weeks ago, while getting gas, I noticed a knot/bulge developing on front driver's side sidewall. The integrity of the tire was compromised so I contacted the dealership and arranged to have the tire replaced. I can produce the dealership repair bill upon request. Yesterday while taking my wife to an appointment, I noticed a knot/bulge developing on rear driver…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11417861 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11424277 · 2021-07-11 (July 11, 2021)
New lease beginning in March 2021. The steering column is erratically loose, noticeable at highway speed in April 2021, accompanied by slight swerve. Subaru dealer (cityside) begrudgingly assessed and found it needed alignment Aligned. Steering column now again erratically loose, less so than before, but still disconcerting, and accompanied by slight swerve. Does not feel safe to drive at highway speed.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11424277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448665 · 2022-01-24 (January 24, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Impreza equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: ProContact TX, Tire Size: P205/55/R16, DOT Number: A3T2WC892420. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, she heard a loud abnormal noise and the vehicle started pulling to the right. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. While inspecting the vehicle, she noticed that the passenger’s side front tire had blown out and that the rim was damaged. The contact called AAA Roadside Assista…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11448665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11466537 · 2022-05-28 (May 28, 2022)
JULY 09 2021 REPORTED TO SUBARU EL PASO AT TIME OF FIRST MAINTENANCE (6000 MILES) VEHICLE LOSSES POWER AND STALLS WHEN MAKING TURNS, IT IS MORE NOTICEABLE MAKING A LEFT TURN. TECHNICIAN SAID COUDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NO FURTER ACTION WAS NEEDED. HOWEVER A YEAR ;LATER FROM TIME TO TIME VEHICLE DOES STALL WHILE MAKING TURNS MAKING, ODOMETER READS 18081. THE OHER ISSUE IS ITS WINDSHIELD, IT CRACKED WHILE DRIVING IT ON JANUARY 29, 2022, THERE IS NO STRESS MARKS FROM PEBBLES, ROCKS, OR ANY OTHER FLYING FROM THE ROAD OR VEHICLES. WROTE AN …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11466537 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11470131 · 2022-06-20 (June 20, 2022)
I was using the adaptive cruise control on the highway set to 55 mph. The car suddenly decelerated to ~44 mph so quickly I had whiplash. There was no other vehicle in front of me and the highway was clear of debris. The dealership said this could be caused by a glare.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11470131 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V024000 · Power Train:Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod
Reported: 2021-01-26 (January 26, 2021)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Outback and Impreza vehicles. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.
Consequence: A loose nut can lead to a lost of retention in the CVT select lever cable and the gear selector not functioning properly, increasing risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, tighten the nut, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-21.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V675000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
Reported: 2021-08-30 (August 30, 2021)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Impreza vehicles. The left-front lower control arm weld may fail, allowing the control arm to separate from the crossmember.
Consequence: A separated control arm may cause the tire to contact the wheel well, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the control arm as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRI-21.
NHTSA campaign record ↗