2021 Subaru Crosstrek

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Visibility/wiper is the leading concern among 115 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 14 Crosstrek model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 115

Of the 2021 reports, 8 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.

Primary concernVisibility/wiper29 reports · 25% of complaints
Owner complaints115Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship1 safety recallNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Visibility/wiper29
  2. Other or unspecified25
  3. Electrical system16
  4. Engine16
  5. Forward collision avoidance14
  6. Power train14
  7. Lane departure5
  8. Fuel/propulsion system4

Recalls and investigations

  1. Power train, automatic transmission, park/neutral start interlock switchNov 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.

    An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

    Campaign 23V755000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: visibility/wiper

29 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Visibility/wiper, Jun 6, 2021

    My windshield all of the sudden got a massive crack. I don’t remember a rock ever hitting it. It has been growing rapidly and I worry it is effecting my drivers assist system. I did some research and learned this was a common problem for Subarus and worry my windshield is defective due to weakness as evidenced by how quickly the crack is growing. I bought my car brand new 6 months ago.

  2. Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, 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 TO EASILY. FIRST INCIDENT, A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND IT CRACKED ABOUT INCHES WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH ALBUQUERQUE, NM ON I-25. SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED TODAY ON I-25 WITH A BARELY PERCEPTIBLE SOUND, AND THE WINDSHIELD HAS A CRACK ABOUT 6.6 INCHES LONG. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE ISSUE IS WITH SUBARU WINDSHIELDS, BUT LOOKING IN OWNER FORUMS, IT'S A PRETTY COMMON OCCURRENCE. THE FACT THAT I AM AVERAGING A NEW WINDSHIELD EVERY 4200 MILES IS RIDICULOUS. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 35+ YEARS AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A WINDSHIELD LESS THAN THREE TIMES. WITH THE SUBARU, I AM DOING IT ALMOST EVERY 4-5 MONTHS (SO FAR).

  3. Visibility/wiper, Mar 22, 2021

    THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT WHILE PARKED.

  4. Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2021

    WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THE CAR. NEVER HEARD OR SAW ANY ROCK OR OTHER DEBRIS HIT THE WINDSHIELD