The Lemon Index2021 Subaru Impreza.
The 2021 Subaru Impreza is better than average by owner complaints: 22 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 60, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 25 to 32 mpg combined. The best Subaru Impreza year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 27 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Subaru Impreza 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.
Recalls 3
- lights 2022
The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.
- suspension 2021
The left-front lower control arm weld may fail, allowing the control arm to separate from the crossmember.
- transmission & drivetrain 2021
The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Impreza SW AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Subaru Impreza 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2000–2550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.7× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 60; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Impreza year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2021 Subaru Impreza problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (27%), wipers & visibility (23%) and automatic emergency braking (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru Impreza have?
3 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Subaru Impreza get?
25 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza 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 Impreza have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 27% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Subaru Impreza cost in fuel a year?
About $2000 to $2550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Subaru Impreza have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Subaru Impreza year is better than the 2021?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2014 and 2011.
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