2021 Subaru Crosstrek
Plug-in hybrid Gas Compact SUV
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid and gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Crosstrek Hybrid AWD, is EPA-rated at 35 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 116 complaints, most often about visibility/wiper. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Range | kWh/100mi | Charge (240V) | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crosstrek Hybrid AWD | Plug-in hybrid | AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl + 88 kW AC Induction | 36 | 35 | 35 (46 MPGe blended) | 17 mi electric | 38 | 2 h | $1,800 |
| Crosstrek AWD | Gas | AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 28 | 33 | 30 | — | — | — | $2,100 |
| Crosstrek AWD | Gas | AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 27 | 34 | 29 | — | — | — | $2,150 |
| Crosstrek AWD | Gas | AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 22 | 29 | 25 | — | — | — | $2,500 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
Out of factory warranty soon?
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
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Recalls (2)
Power Train
highProblem: Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
Risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
Electrical System
highProblem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Crosstrek Hybrid vehicles. The harness terminal that supplies low-voltage power from the converter to the 12-Volt battery may corrode and break, preventing the 12-Volt battery from charging.
Risk: A 12-Volt battery that is unable to recharge can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the converter terminal mounting bracket. If corrosion is found on the terminals, the 12-Volt output harness and terminals will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 12, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-23.
NHTSA investigations
Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds (closed)
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005
Owner complaints
116 complaints filed
8 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.
Filed by year — 2020: 2 · 2021: 25 · 2022: 25 · 2023: 20 · 2024: 15 · 2025: 10 · 2026: 19
Most-cited components
- Visibility/Wiper — 29
- Unknown Or Other — 25
- Forward Collision Avoidance — 21
- Engine — 17
- Electrical System — 17
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SW AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 16% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
Other Crosstrek model years
2026 Crosstrek
2 recalls · 8 complaints
A2025 Crosstrek
0 recalls · 43 complaints
B2024 Crosstrek
2 recalls · 115 complaints
A2023 Crosstrek
0 recalls · 34 complaints
A2022 Crosstrek
1 recalls · 31 complaints
A2020 Crosstrek
1 recalls · 68 complaints
F2019 Crosstrek
8 recalls · 284 complaints
D2018 Crosstrek
5 recalls · 194 complaints
A2017 Crosstrek
1 recalls · 94 complaints
A2016 Crosstrek
1 recalls · 134 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 43687, 42606, 42607, 42605). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.