Model year 2021 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2021 Subaru Crosstrek: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek at 25–35 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 116 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

EPA combined mpg

25–35

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT

NHTSA lists this vehicle as CROSSTREK HYBRID.

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Subaru dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recalls for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, newest first.

Power train: Automatic transmission: Park/neutral start interlock switch

NHTSA 23V755000 Reported Nov 9, 2023

Filed by: Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WRQ-23)
Units affected: 95,830 (estimate)
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery

NHTSA 23V080000 Reported Feb 14, 2023

Filed by: Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WRD-23)
Units affected: 8,413 (estimate)
Problem: Subaru 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.
Risk: A 12-Volt battery that is unable to recharge can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination; electric figures are in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek EPA fuel economy
Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Fuel	City/Hwy/Comb	Electric range	Fuel cost/yr	CO2 g/mi
Crosstrek AWD	2.0L 4-cyl	Manual 6-spd	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	22/29/25 mpg	—	$2,700	355
Crosstrek AWD	2.0L 4-cyl	CVT (8 modes)	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	28/33/30 mpg	—	$2,250	297
Crosstrek AWD	2.5L 4-cyl	CVT (8 modes)	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	27/34/29 mpg	—	$2,300	302
Crosstrek Hybrid AWD	2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid	Automatic	All-Wheel Drive	Regular Gas and Electricity / Electricity	36/35/35 mpg 90 MPGe on electricity	17 mi	$1,900	151

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk	Forward collision warning
2021 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid SW AWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	—	Standard
2021 Subaru Crosstrek SW AWD	5 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars	15.6%	Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek owner complaints

Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, most recently on Sep 5, 2026. 8 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 6 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2021 Subaru Crosstrek complaints
Component named in complaints	Mentions
Visibility/wiper	29
Unknown or other	25
Engine	17
Electrical system	15
Power train	12
Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking	10
Forward collision avoidance: Warnings	6
Forward collision avoidance: Adaptive cruise control	5
Fuel/propulsion system	4
Service brakes	4

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Subaru Crosstrek model years

Subaru Crosstrek by model year
Year	Combined	Recalls	Complaints	Overall rating
2027 Crosstrek	26–29 mpg	—	—	5/5
2026 Crosstrek	26–36 mpg	3	11	5/5
2025 Crosstrek	27–29 mpg	0	46	5/5
2024 Crosstrek	27–29 mpg	2	120	5/5
2023 Crosstrek	25–35 mpg	0	35	5/5
2022 Crosstrek	25–30 mpg	1	31	5/5
2020 Crosstrek	25–35 mpg	1	70	5/5
2019 Crosstrek	25–35 mpg	8	285	5/5
2018 Crosstrek	25–29 mpg	5	195	5/5
2017 Crosstrek	26–29 mpg	1	94	5/5
2016 Crosstrek	26–31 mpg	1	132	5/5
2015 Crosstrek	26–31 mpg	1	17	—

All Subaru Crosstrek years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2021 Subaru models

2021 Subaru Ascent 2021 Subaru Forester 2021 Subaru Impreza 2021 Subaru Legacy 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru WRX

Sources

Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 28, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Subaru.