The Lemon Index2021 Subaru Crosstrek.
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is better than average by owner complaints: 87 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 71, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about wipers & visibility, it has 1 recall, and it gets 25 to 35 mpg combined. The best Subaru Crosstrek year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 116 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Subaru Crosstrek year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 60K miles on the car (18 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 1
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Subaru told dealers about
Subaru sent dealers 334 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This Bulletin announces design changes to the engine oil and CVT fluid drain plugs
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Crosstrek SW AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid SW AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1850–2550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Turned on defroster to clear window fog, window cracked along bottom of windshield about 3-4 inches from bottom along 2/3 the length of the windshield. No prior chips or scratches existed.
2021 Subaru Crosstrek owner · NHTSA complaint 11573860
More owner reports
My brand new Subaru ignited in the engine compartment, burst into flames and exploded while I was driving it.
NHTSA complaint 11492551
The windshield cracked while going over railroad tracks. Spiderweb cracks that are small to see unless driving into the sun and then they are visible all over the windshield.
NHTSA complaint 11428952
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 71; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Crosstrek year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2021 Subaru Crosstrek problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are wipers & visibility (32%), automatic emergency braking (18%) and engine (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek have?
1 safety recall (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek get?
25 to 35 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek cost in fuel a year?
About $1850 to $2550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Subaru Crosstrek year is better than the 2021?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2013 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works