2021 Subaru Impreza problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (3) · Vehicle Speed Control (2) · Tires (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Impreza model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2021-08-30 · campaign 21V675000 · 802 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Impreza vehicles. The left-front lower control arm weld may fail, allowing the control arm to separate from the crossmember.
Risk: A separated control arm may cause the tire to contact the wheel well, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the control arm as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRI-21.
Power Train:shift Linkage/Cable/Rod 2021-01-26 · campaign 21V024000 · 383 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Outback and Impreza vehicles. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.
Risk: A loose nut can lead to a lost of retention in the CVT select lever cable and the gear selector not functioning properly, increasing risk of crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, tighten the nut, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-21.
Service bulletins (323)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Power Train 2026-09-28 · SubaruNet Announcement (T · Other
this announcement provides information on an enhancement of the techshare cvt diagnostic assitance application.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Electrical System 2026-09-18 · 18-244-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"this bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following dtcs: dtc c1956: rh actuator circuit dtc c1957: lh actuator circuit"
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 323 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-09-10 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“the contact owned a 2021 subaru impreza. the contact stated that while stopped at a red light, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle. the force of the impact caused the contact to hit another vehicle which then caused that vehicle to also hit another vehicle; in total, four vehicles were involved in the accident. the contact's air ba…”
2023-04-07 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings“the eye sight front collision warning did a hard brake going 55 mph when a car was well ahead of me slowing down to turn right. i was almost rear ended by the car behind me. this isn't the first time it's happened …”
2023-03-26 · Unknown Or Other“went to my car this morning and the windshield was cracked on the top center from the edge of the windshield to around where the rear view mirror is. this crack was not there last night when i parked my car. and there was no accident/damage to the windshield before this morning. …”
2022-11-25 · Visibility/Wiper“plastic parts of side mirror melt easily by heat and sunlight. (not only side mirror, but also other components with the same plastic parts) it bothers driver visibility and safety when driving highway. the problem was reviewed by subaru service center, and they said it is not their problems. subaru service center said they saw few cases but they s…”
2022-10-30 · Service Brakes“vehicle is at 23520 miles, front brake pads are worn to 1mm on passenger side and 2mm on front driver side. vehicle had been taken on october 04, 2022 for repairs and local subaru dealer refuses to repair it, even though warranty still applicable for defects until 3 years or 36,000 miles as stated in pages 4 and 5 the warranty and maintenance 2021 …”
2022-10-18 · Visibility/Wiper“front windshield spontaneous cracking from defroster area in a "j" shape. this is the second windshield since new to do this (2021 model). available for inspection. the first windshield was inspected and replaced by subaru at their cost minus eyesight recalibration (adas). first windshield was inspected by insurance and no impact point was found …”
2022-06-20 · Vehicle Speed Control“i was using the adaptive cruise control on the highway set to 55 mph. the car suddenly decelerated to ~44 mph so quickly i had whiplash. there was no other vehicle in front of me and the highway was clear of debris. the dealership said this could be caused by a glare. …”
2022-05-28 · Visibility/Wiper“july 09 2021 reported to subaru el paso at time of first maintenance (6000 miles) vehicle losses power and stalls when making turns, it is more noticeable making a left turn. technician said coudn't duplicate the problem and no furter action was needed. however a year ;later from time to time vehicle does stall while making turns making, odometer…”
2022-01-24 · Tires · 1,700 mi“the contact owns a 2021 subaru impreza equipped with continental tires, tire line: procontact tx, tire size: p205/55/r16, dot number: a3t2wc892420. the contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, she heard a loud abnormal noise and the vehicle started pulling to the right. the contact stated no warning light was illuminated. the contact was …”
2021-07-11 · Steering“new lease beginning in march 2021. the steering column is erratically loose, noticeable at highway speed in april 2021, accompanied by slight swerve. subaru dealer (cityside) begrudgingly assessed and found it needed alignment aligned. steering column now again erratically loose, less so than before, but still disconcerting, and accompanied by slig…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.