2021 Subaru Impreza Problems
- Complaints
- 14filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 1,700miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 21 do-not-drive
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 30 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 27 city / 36 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Subaru Impreza (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2021 Subaru Impreza. The part named most often is forward collision avoidance, with 3 complaints (21% of the total), followed by visibility (3) and other or unknown (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 1,700 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns (1 marked do-not-drive) and 323 technical service bulletins for this model year. Forward collision avoidance complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
Example complaints
Forward collision avoidance: “I was using the adaptive cruise control on the highway set to 55 mph. The car suddenly decelerated to ~44 mph so quickly I had whiplash. There was no other vehicle in front of me and the highway was clear of debris. The dealership said this could be caused by a glare.”
NHTSA complaint #11470131, filed 2022-06Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Plastic parts of side mirror melt easily by heat and sunlight. (Not only side mirror, but also other components with the same plastic parts) It bothers driver visibility and safety when driving highway. The problem was reviewed by subaru service center, and they said it is not their problems. Subaru service center said they saw few cases but they said it is customers fault. Service center said customer needs to park in the shade or safe place.”
NHTSA complaint #11494907, filed 2022-11Other or unknown: “Went to my car this morning and the windshield was cracked on the top center from the edge of the windshield to around where the rear view mirror is. This crack was not there last night when I parked my car. And there was no accident/damage to the windshield before this morning.”
NHTSA complaint #11513829, filed 2023-03Steering: “This car will not track straight. Nice firm steering, but simply will not track straight. There is no sense of center. If left alone, the steering will go slightly left, or slightly right, but never center. This is annoying fair weather, but outright dangerous in weather or wind. A major impact on vehicle stability and safety. This car is new, with 700 miles and has done this since day one. A Subaru dealer is checking the alignment, but they say the are aware of this issue, and have no answers. Even an alignment may not fix the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11405795, filed 2021-03, 700 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 700 and 7,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Subaru Impreza. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impreza · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.5% risk |
| Impreza · wagon AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.5% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking optional.
Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2021 Subaru Impreza version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impreza 4-Door AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | 28 | 36 | 32 | $2,100 |
| Impreza 4-Door AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Impreza 5-Door AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | 28 | 36 | 31 | $2,150 |
| Impreza 5-Door AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 24 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Impreza Sport 4-Door AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | 27 | 36 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Impreza Sport 5-Door AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | 27 | 35 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Impreza Sport 5-Door AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower armCovers: Subaru Impreza 2021
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Impreza vehicles. The left-front lower control arm weld may fail, allowing the control arm to separate from the crossmember.
- 21V024000Jan 26, 2021Power train › Shift linkage/cable/rodCovers: Subaru Impreza 2021, Outback 2021
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Outback and Impreza vehicles. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.
Recall details for the 2021 Subaru Impreza → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 323 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037942Sep 28, 2026Electrical system, Transmission and drivetrain. This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
- 11037940Sep 18, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
- 11037938Sep 18, 2026Electrical system. "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- 11037930Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11037928Sep 14, 2026Electrical system, Other or unknown. In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen 3.1 Head Unit used in the listed models and model years…
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11036822Aug 31, 2026Body and structure. This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of surface rust accumulating in the top center retaining nut area of the front strut mounts. This is an revised version of the…
- 11036804Aug 21, 2026Transmission and drivetrain, Electrical system. This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
Other model years of the Subaru Impreza
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 2,700 | 0 | 5 | 30 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 32 | 36,292 | 2 | 5 | 30 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2022 | 14 | — | 1 | 5 | 30 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 14 | 1,700 | 2 | 5 | 30 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 85 | 7,000 | 1 | 5 | 30 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2019 | 194 | 11,700 | 5 | 5 | 30 | 86 · More | Stable |
| 2018 | 152 | 18,500 | 5 | 5 | 30 | 62 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 125 | 14,953 | 7 | 5 | 30 | 71 · More | Rising |
| 2016 | 75 | 26,258 | 1 | 5 | 30 | 5 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 77 | 36,000 | 2 | 5 | 30 | 2 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 108 | 49,500 | 3 | 5 | 27 | 25 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 251 | 61,590 | 4 | 5 | 27 | 51 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 243 | 45,825 | 6 | 4 | 27 | 82 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 58 | 38,000 | 14 | — | 22 | 24 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2010 | 46 | 47,800 | 15 | — | 21 | 2 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 104 | 64,000 | 14 | — | 21 | 48 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 176 | 48,150 | 14 | — | 22 | 70 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 68 | 49,890 | 9 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 56 | 61,728 | 10 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 75 | 72,072 | 6 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 96 | 65,000 | 8 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 62 | 64,500 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 292 | 62,500 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 11 | 42,000 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 41 | 64,000 | 0 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 22 | 67,750 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 30 | 69,500 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 30 | 99,550 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 20 | — | 0 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 46 | 132,062 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 8 | — | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 33 | 158,850 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Subaru Impreza model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Subaru Impreza have?
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2021 Subaru Impreza as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2021 Subaru Impreza is reported most often?
Forward collision avoidance is named most often, in 3 complaints (21% of the total), followed by visibility with 3.
Has the 2021 Subaru Impreza been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2021 Subaru Impreza do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Subaru Impreza 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Subaru Impreza get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Subaru Impreza (Impreza Sport 4-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 27 city and 36 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Subaru Impreza reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 1,700 miles and the middle half falls between 700 and 7,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.