Owners have reported 8 crashes, 2 fires and 6 injuries to NHTSA for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints26
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners report frequent issues with the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek's windshield cracking unexpectedly, often without any apparent impact. Complaints frequently mention cracks forming spontaneously while parked or after turning on the defroster, as well as from minor impacts like small pebbles. These incidents are noted even in vehicles with less than 1,000 miles, suggesting susceptibility from early in the vehicle's life. Although no crashes or injuries are reported, owners express concern over the windshield's fragility and the associated high replacement costs, including the need for recalibrating the Eyesight system. This pattern of complaints may be relevant for potential buyers considering the long-term maintenance implications.
Owner complaints11
POWER TRAIN
Owners report several issues with the power train of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, including the vehicle unexpectedly coming out of park and rolling away, which has resulted in crashes. Complaints frequently mention shuddering, jerking, and hesitation, particularly when accelerating from a stop or during gear shifts. These symptoms often occur without warning lights and have been difficult for dealers to diagnose. Some owners have experienced these issues as early as 7 days after purchase, while others report them around 85,000 miles. The potential for loss of control and the involvement in crashes highlight significant safety implications for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints10
ENGINE
Owners of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report issues related to engine performance and reliability. Common complaints include the engine stop-start function causing noticeable shaking and hesitation, and problems with the starter leading to delayed engine restarts, particularly after longer drives. Several owners describe incidents where the engine unexpectedly loses power or shuts off, often accompanied by dashboard warning lights. Notably, there are reports of engine fires, with one instance occurring while driving and another resulting in an explosion. Safety implications include a reported crash due to unintended acceleration and an injury, as well as instances where engine failure placed drivers at risk, such as losing power in traffic. These issues are reported at varying mileages, with some occurring in vehicles with as little as 1,300 miles.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 2 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek commonly report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly involving battery failures and USB connection problems. Complaints frequently mention batteries draining quickly or completely, sometimes after short periods of inactivity, with some incidents occurring as early as 1,300 miles. Additionally, multiple owners describe intermittent connections with the USB ports affecting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which can lead to driver distraction. A notable safety concern is reported in a crash incident where unintended acceleration occurred, resulting in significant vehicle damage. These issues may be relevant for potential buyers considering a used model, especially regarding the vehicle's reliability and safety.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints6
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, particularly the Eyesight feature. Complaints often describe the system either failing to activate during actual collision scenarios or engaging unexpectedly without any obstacles present. Two crashes are reported, with one involving injuries, where the system did not activate to prevent a collision. Additionally, multiple owners note the system's tendency to falsely detect obstacles, such as exhaust fumes, resulting in sudden braking. These incidents typically occur at varying speeds, both on highways and at low speeds, indicating a broad operational range. Potential buyers should be aware of these reported issues, as they may impact safety and driving experience.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints3
STEERING
Owners of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report steering issues related to the vehicle's lane-keeping assist (LKA) and adaptive cruise control systems. Complaints describe the vehicle veering towards the center line or aggressively jerking towards larger vehicles, such as semi-trucks, while these features are engaged. These issues often occur at highway speeds, with owners noting that significant manual steering input is required to maintain control. The problems are reported as early as 90 miles and persist even after attempts to recalibrate the systems. Safety implications include potential loss of control and increased risk of collision, particularly when the systems fail to function as intended. Buyers should be aware of these steering-related concerns, especially if considering a vehicle with advanced driver-assistance features.
Owner complaints3
VISIBILITY
Owners of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek report issues related to the vehicle's visibility features, specifically involving the sunroof and windshield. Two complaints describe unexpected windshield cracking on both the driver's and passenger's sides, with no apparent impact, at mileages of approximately 1,050 and 5,700 miles. Another owner reports the sunroof exploding while driving at 70 MPH, with shattered glass blowing out of the vehicle, occurring around 60,000 miles. These issues, particularly the sunroof failure, may have safety implications due to potential distraction or injury from glass debris. Prospective buyers may want to consider these reports when evaluating the vehicle's durability and safety features.
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek report issues with the airbag system, particularly in situations involving a crash and passenger occupancy detection. In one instance, during a rear-end collision, the airbags failed to deploy, and seatbelts did not lock, resulting in the vehicle being totaled and two injuries. Another complaint mentions the airbag indicator showing "OFF" when a passenger is seated. These issues suggest potential safety implications, including non-deployment of airbags and improper seatbelt function during a crash. These complaints do not provide specific mileage data, but they highlight critical safety concerns for prospective buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints2
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek report issues with the service brakes, including rear rotors delaminating at approximately 33,000 miles. A more severe complaint involves unintended acceleration incidents when the vehicle is stationary, leading to a crash and a significant injury. In one instance, while parallel parking in winter, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated in reverse despite brake application, resulting in a collision. Another incident describes the car spontaneously moving forward from a stopped position, causing a severe leg injury when the door closed on the driver. These reports indicate potential safety implications, particularly involving loss of control during low-speed maneuvers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek report issues related to vehicle speed control, with two primary symptoms. The first involves the automatic braking system engaging unexpectedly, preventing acceleration and causing warning lights such as the check engine, Eyesight, and RAB lights to illuminate. This incident is associated with a failure of the Engine Coolant Bypass Valve and occurs without prior warning, posing significant safety risks, particularly at highway speeds. The second reported issue is a lag in acceleration response when depressing the accelerator pedal, occurring sporadically and potentially impacting maneuverability in traffic situations. These problems highlight potential safety implications, particularly in scenarios requiring quick acceleration or when driving in congested conditions.
