Verdict
2021 Subaru WRX: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2021 Subaru WRX — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for sedan.
Owners filed 13 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 60% of 2021 sedans. Power Train leads the reports (46%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2021 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
13
Reports to NHTSA, 2021
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
21
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 60% of 2021 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2021 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Power Train issues lead owner complaints (46% of 13 reports), followed by engine (15%).
Share of all 13 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11666353, ODI 11577261, ODI 11576251, ODI 11576067, ODI 11572772.
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Exterior Lighting · 22V522000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2021 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WRX | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 20 | 27 | 23 |
| WRX | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | 18 | 24 | 21 |
| WRX | 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 16 | 22 | 18 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2021 Subaru WRX: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2021 Subaru WRX?
Owners filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the 2021 Subaru WRX — fewer complaints than 60% of comparable 2021 sedans, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2021 Subaru WRX?
The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (46% of complaints) and engine (15%).
How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru WRX have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2021 Subaru WRX, covering components such as exterior lighting. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Subaru WRX get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Subaru WRX between 18 and 23 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.