Subaru · WRX · 2021
2021 Subaru WRX
1
Recall
12
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2021 Subaru WRX has 1 recall and 12 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: visibility/wiper (2 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2021 Subaru WRX page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is visibility/wiper with 2 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2021 Subaru WRX currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 12 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are visibility/wiper (2), power train,engine (2), power train (2).
- Vehicle
- 2021 Subaru WRX
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 12
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
10.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 22V522000July 21, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH
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 in reverse.
Remedy Status
Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.
Owner Complaints
12 totalSEATS
Jun 1, 2025
Manual (not power) Driver seat is loose-rocking car only has 47000 miles but this hardware failure will get worse over time definitely a safety concern if bolt breaks it appears that the plastic washer is wearing most likely poor material should be polyurethane or something like ...
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POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Feb 20, 2025
I am filing this complaint to report a serious safety concern involving my 2021 Subaru WRX, which is currently covered under the manufacturer’s powertrain warranty as well as an extended warranty. Subaru of Ontario, an authorized Subaru dealership, failed to properly diagnose or...
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ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Dec 31, 2024
Excessive blow by contaminating MAP sensors & creating lean/rich conditions. This causes loss of power, stalling and will lead to catastrophic engine failure. EGR system is faulty
ENGINE
Dec 12, 2024
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 an...
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POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Feb 21, 2024
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 eng...
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POWER TRAIN
May 11, 2023
NHTSA ID:#10186366 SUBARU TSB #[XXX] This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing. PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION: The new clutch release bearing was incorporated into production starting with VIN [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF IN...
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POWER TRAIN
Apr 5, 2023
Mileage is 19,300 On 4/5/23 i was entering the gated community where i live stoped pressed remote to open gate then with clutch engaged shifted my wrx into first and the entire steel shaft broke at base where pin secures shaft to linkage this is a wrx sti short throw shifter pn...
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POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Mar 20, 2023
Lifetime Tracking Data Displayed Incorrectly with higher data results. High rev's max speed 131mp. I have never gone over 89 mp. MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: 09-79-21 Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING NHTSA ID Number: 10201791 Manufacturer Communicat...
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POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 20, 2023
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. Desp...
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VISIBILITY/WIPER
Jan 23, 2022
I was de-frosting my windshield early in the morning when I watched a crack start at the base of the driver's side windshield and travel up the window and back down to the base of the windshield. The car was not moving, there was no impact to the windshield at all. I contacted th...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 12 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2021 Subaru models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Subaru WRX Years
2022 Subaru WRXCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.1r23c2020 Subaru WRXCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.1r17c2023 Subaru WRXCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.1r7c2019 Subaru WRXCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.2r28c2024 Subaru WRXCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.13c2018 Subaru WRXCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.2r40c
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru WRX have?
The 2021 Subaru WRX has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2021 Subaru WRX?
NHTSA has received 12 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Subaru WRX.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Subaru WRX?
The 2021 Subaru WRX received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Subaru WRX?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Subaru WRX are visibility/wiper (2 reports), power train,engine (2 reports), power train (2 reports).
Does the 2021 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2021 Subaru WRX. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.