2021 Subaru Crosstrek: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
114 NHTSA owner complaints · 1 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Read the guide
Used Subaru Outback and Forester: oil consumption, then Starlink, then a clean run, including 2021 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 114 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 22.8
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
There have been multiple instances where my car has failed to “restart” if the auto-start-stop feature is on. I immediately turn that setting off every time I get into my car because if I pause for too long at a light/stop sign etc.the engine will stall and turn off (without being in park). I have reported this to Subaru on many occasions and they’ve told me to replace the battery, so I did, and nothing changed. I’ve…
We brought the vehicle in for routine maintenance. They reported that all brake hoses were bulging and at risk of failing at any time. They said that there was a related recall for a similar issue on other CrossTrek's but that ours was not included in the VIN list, so was not a part of the recall. This appears to be a serious component failure which could result in a fatal accident. The fact that this happened wi…
Was driving on highway when all of the lights on my dash illuminated. Eventually I got a warning for oil at temp alarm. Was giving code P2757 and P0700. Looks like this a common issue in Subarus but doesn’t look like it covers anything after 2020.
Recalls: 1 campaigns
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 23V755000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 30 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,050
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Visibility/Wiper29 complaints · typical job: Wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$490–$1,200
- Unknown Or Other24 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Electrical System16 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Engine16 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Power Train14 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Forward Collision Avoidance14 complaints · typical job: Radar or camera module replacement and calibration (3.0 h labour + parts)$780–$2,160
Other Subaru Crosstrek years
Subaru Crosstrek years to avoid, and the best years to buy →
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Visibility/Wiper (29 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 84/100, computed from 114 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek's most common problem?
29 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek sit in the Visibility/Wiper group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement: about 2.5 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $490–$1,200 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek cost to run per year?
About $3,852 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $19,262 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, 0 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 09/11/2023. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compact suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Moderate evidence — 114 complaints, 1 recalls on record
- 114 NHTSA complaints on record (22.8/yr of exposure) — in line with a typical year of this model (23.5/yr)
- 1 recall campaigns, 0 touching safety-critical systems