2021 Subaru WRX Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other WRX years
- Fewer complaints than other years 16th of 24 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Subaru WRX. That ranks 16th out of 24 WRX model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (6 complaints, 46%). There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
- 13owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 Subaru WRX problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 6 | 46% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 5 | 38% | — | — | — |
| Electrical System | 2 | 15% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 15% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 15% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 Subaru WRX recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Exterior lighting:back up lights:switch
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Car battery keeps dying and is inadequately charged resulting in loss of electronics. The problem is a faulty DCM system.
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 the form of a…
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…
I am filing this complaint to report a serious safety concern involving my 2021 Subaru WRX, which is currently covered under the manufacturerâs powertrain warranty as well as an extended warranty. Subaru of Ontario, an authorized Subaru dealership, failed to properly diagnose or repair ongoing…
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
Other Subaru WRX years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 WRX | 3 | 0 |
| 2024 WRX | 14 | 0 |
| 2023 WRX | 8 | 1 |
| 2022 WRX | 25 | 1 |
| 2021 | 13 | 1 |
| 2020 WRX | 17 | 1 |
| 2019 WRX | 30 | 2 |
| 2018 WRX | 43 | 2 |
| 2017 WRX | 53 | 1 |
| 2016 WRX | 31 | 3 |
| 2015 WRX | 52 | 3 |
| 2014 WRX | 6 | 10 |
| 2013 WRX | 7 | 11 |
| 2012 WRX | 2 | 12 |
| 2011 WRX | 4 | 11 |
| 2010 WRX | 1 | 12 |
| 2009 WRX | 41 | 10 |
| 2008 WRX | 65 | 7 |
| 2007 WRX | 0 | 3 |
| 2006 WRX | 14 | 3 |
| 2005 WRX | 19 | 4 |
| 2004 WRX | 42 | 4 |
| 2003 WRX | 60 | 1 |
| 2002 WRX | 427 | 1 |
See all Subaru WRX problems by year, every Subaru model, or the Subaru VIN decoder.
Similar Subaru models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Subaru WRX?
Owners most often report power train, engine, electrical system problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 6 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Subaru WRX?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 Subaru WRX a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other WRX model years, the 2021 has fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.