2021 Subaru WRX Problems
- Complaints
- 13filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 18 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Subaru WRX (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2021 Subaru WRX. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 6 complaints (46% of the total), followed by engine (5) and electrical system (2). NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 215 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 24 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.
- Engine5 38%
- Electrical system2 15%
- Other or unknown2 15%
- Fuel system1 7.7%
- Seats1 7.7%
- Steering1 7.7%
- Suspension1 7.7%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Severe engine failure! Was driving steady speed on highway, then I let off the throttle and heard a bad knocking noise on deceleration. The engine oil temp increased to around 230F. I slowed down to limp it to the next exit and it started jerking. I made it to an exit and the engine stalled at the red light. No smoke, oil level good, coolant level good. Had it towed to Subaru dealer, where they said the engine has severe damage and needs a Short Block Engine Assembly. Warranty was denied because it has a cold air intake. …”
NHTSA complaint #11576067, filed 2024-03Engine: “In October 2024, my vehicle, a 2021 Subaru WRX STI, was purchased from a Toyota dealership (Fort Bend Sterling McCall Toyota). The dealership sold the vehicle with an oil issue and a modified ECM. This issue caused catastrophic engine failure while driving. The vehicle stalled and could not be started. Subaru dealership technicians confirmed the cause as improper service leading to catastrophic oil starvation. The failure put both myself and others at risk, as the engine lost power mid-operation on a busy road. …”
NHTSA complaint #11668269, filed 2025-06Other or unknown: “10,510 miles, a more pressing issue arose: the transmission started to bind while in gear. As I pressed the gas pedal, my WRX refused to accelerate, and instead, the engine RPMs surged. This occurred while I was on a three-lane street, in the lane furthest from the shoulder. Despite my attempts to pull over, the WRX wouldn’t engage in gear. I narrowly avoided collisions three times before managing to reach the nearest safe area to stop, which was a side road. The experience was harrowing, especially with my three children in the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11572772, filed 2024-02Complaints 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 WRX. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WRX · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 10.1% 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 WRX 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WRX AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 20 | 27 | 23 | $3,550 |
| WRX AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | 18 | 24 | 21 | $3,900 |
| WRX AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
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
- 22V522000Jul 21, 2022Exterior lighting › Back up lights › SwitchCovers: Subaru WRX 2015–2021
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. 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…
Recall details for the 2021 Subaru WRX → · 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. 215 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 11036807Aug 20, 2026Electrical system. This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to…
- 11036796Aug 13, 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.)
- 11036794Aug 5, 2026Electrical system. Techtips newsletter locator index.
- 11036789Aug 1, 2026Electrical 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
Other model years of the Subaru WRX
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 150 | 0 | 5 | 22 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 9 | — | 1 | 5 | 22 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 25 | 19,800 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 56 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 13 | — | 1 | 5 | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 18 | 9,600 | 1 | 5 | 21 | — | Stable |
| 2019 | 30 | 27,250 | 2 | — | 21 | 33 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2018 | 43 | 14,500 | 2 | — | 21 | 64 · Typical | Stable |
| 2017 | 53 | 36,000 | 1 | — | 21 | 49 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 31 | 25,000 | 3 | — | 21 | 51 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 52 | 31,250 | 3 | — | 21 | 65 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 6 | 34,000 | 10 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 7 | 10,500 | 11 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 41 | 71,327 | 10 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2008 | 65 | 80,000 | 7 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2006 | 14 | 66,870 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 19 | 48,000 | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2004 | 42 | 69,990 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 60 | 23,800 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 427 | 40,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Subaru WRX model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Subaru WRX have?
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2021 Subaru WRX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2021 Subaru WRX is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 6 complaints (46% of the total), followed by engine with 5.
Has the 2021 Subaru WRX been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2021 Subaru WRX do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Subaru WRX 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Subaru WRX get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Subaru WRX (WRX, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
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.