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2021 Subaru Crosstrek

Plug-in hybridGas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
84 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA116
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA35 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid and gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Crosstrek Hybrid AWD, is EPA-rated at 35 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 116 complaints, most often about the visibility/wiper. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Crosstrek Hybrid AWDPlug-in hybridAWD2.0L 4-cyl + 88 kW AC Induction363535 (46 MPGe blended)17 mi electric382 h$1,800
Crosstrek AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl283330———$2,100
Crosstrek AWDGasAWD2.5L 4-cyl273429———$2,150
Crosstrek AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl222925———$2,500

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43687, 42606, 42607, 42605.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Power Train

WRQ-23
95,830 vehicles
ProblemSubaru 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.RiskAn inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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 23V755000reported Nov 9, 2023Subaru of America, Inc.
▲high

Electrical System

WRD-23
8,413 vehicles
ProblemSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Crosstrek Hybrid vehicles. The harness terminal that supplies low-voltage power from the converter to the 12-Volt battery may corrode and break, preventing the 12-Volt battery from charging.RiskA 12-Volt battery that is unable to recharge can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will replace the converter terminal mounting bracket. If corrosion is found on the terminals, the 12-Volt output harness and terminals will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 12, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-23.
NHTSA campaign 23V080000reported Feb 14, 2023Subaru of America, Inc.

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
116complaints filed

8 involved a crash · 2 a fire · 6 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2020: 2 · 2021: 25 · 2022: 25 · 2023: 20 · 2024: 15 · 2025: 10 · 2026: 19

Most-cited components

Visibility/Wiper29
Unspecified25
Forward Collision Avoidance21
Engine17
Electrical System17
Power Train15

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. The contact stated that after moving the vehicle 10 feet from a pile of snow in cold weather, the vehicle restarted but failed to run and then shut off after 2 minutes. The contact changed the 12-Volt battery. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the “S…”Feb 11, 2026 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“I bought this car January 2021. In June 2021, the smallest pebble cracked my windshield while I was driving on the freeway. Yesterday, 3/28/22, I was driving home from work like usual and my sunroof spontaneously exploded and completely shattered. Yep, you read that right. Don’t believe me? Search up: Subaru exploded…”Mar 29, 2022 · Visibility/Wiper · NHTSA owner report
“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 turn…”Feb 8, 2022 · Steering · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SW AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Crosstrek model years

B

2026 Subaru Crosstrek

2 recalls · 8 complaints

A

2025 Subaru Crosstrek

0 recalls · 43 complaints

B

2024 Subaru Crosstrek

2 recalls · 115 complaints

A

2023 Subaru Crosstrek

0 recalls · 34 complaints

A

2022 Subaru Crosstrek

1 recalls · 31 complaints

A

2020 Subaru Crosstrek

1 recalls · 68 complaints

F

2019 Subaru Crosstrek

8 recalls · 284 complaints

D

2018 Subaru Crosstrek

5 recalls · 194 complaints

A

2017 Subaru Crosstrek

1 recalls · 94 complaints

A

2016 Subaru Crosstrek

1 recalls · 134 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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