2021 Subaru Wrx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (5) · Visibility/Wiper (2) · Seats (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Wrx model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights:switch 2022-07-21 · campaign 22V522000 · 59,934 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (215)
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.
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.
Electrical System 2026-09-14 · 15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of infotainment concerns. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 215 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-05-26 · Electrical System“car battery keeps dying and is inadequately charged resulting in loss of electronics. the problem is a faulty dcm system. …”
2025-06-22 · Seats“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 grommet that absorbs since vehicle has hard suspension …”
2025-06-21 · Engine“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 started. subaru dealership technicians confirmed the ca…”
2025-06-11 · Power Train“ 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 repair ongoing engine issues during multiple service visits. despite…”
2025-02-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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…”
2024-03-14 · Power Train“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 information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)…”
2024-03-08 · Power Train“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 communication number: 09-79-21 summary this bulletin announces availability of e…”
2024-03-07 · Power Train“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 engine stalled at the red light. no smoke, oil level good, coolant level …”
2024-02-19 · Unknown Or Other“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. despite my attempts to pull over, the wrx wouldn’t engage in gear. i narro…”
2023-04-06 · Power Train“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 c1010va001 445 dollar option the subaru of ontario repair department …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.