Model year guide

2021 Subaru Crosstrek

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 8 on record.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2021 Subaru Crosstrek at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints107
Combined25–35 mpg
Typical price$29,914

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek recalls 1

Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch NHTSA Campaign #23V755000 · 09/11/2023

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.

Fix: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek common problems

Owners have filed 107 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Back Over Prevention
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Lane Departure
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek MPG & running costs

Combined25–35 mpg
City28 mpg
Highway33 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,288

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek worth?

Low
$28,100
Typical price
$29,914
High
$32,099

From 7 comparable 2021 Subaru Crosstrek listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,440
Depreciation (5 yrs)$12,250
Total$23,690
Per mile$0.32

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($29,914) with the same model 5 model-years older ($17,650), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek trims & engines on record

Trims
Sport+ES+BSD · Limited+NAVI+ES+BSD · Premium+ES+BSD · Sport+ES · Premium+ES · Limited+ES+BSD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl 182 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 152 hp

2021 Subaru Crosstrek vehicles on record

Other Subaru Crosstrek model years

2021 Subaru Crosstrek — frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?

Owners have filed 107 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine, back over prevention.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek get?

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek has U.S. EPA estimates of 25–35 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

How much is a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek worth?

Comparable 2021 Subaru Crosstrek listings run roughly $28,100–$32,099, typically around $29,914 (from 7 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.