Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 17 of 115 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Visibility/wiper. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
115 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2021
Visibility/wiper
Upon entering the vehicle (parked in the garage) I looked at the rear view mirror which I always do as I reverse. I noticed a crack on the windshield behind the mirror. The crack was not there when I entered the garage because I had to use the garage remote on the mirror to open the garage door. I would have noticed it (crack).…
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Upon entering the vehicle (parked in the garage) I looked at the rear view mirror which I always do as I reverse. I noticed a crack on the windshield behind the mirror. The crack was not there when I entered the garage because I had to use the garage remote on the mirror to open the garage door. I would have noticed it (crack). The crack appeared suddenly. I am reporting this problem because I read that another owner, of similar vehicle, has complained about the same issue and almost with same mileage on his car. Same year vehicle too. Given the windshield/Glass history Subaru has with the Outback model, I wonder if this problem is transferred to the Subaru Crosstrek. The two vehicles do share the same type of glass!!!
NHTSA ODI #11427714
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2021
EnginePower Train
SHUDDERING - CVT belt or pulley not working properly? JERKING, HESITATION - Crosstrek will not go when the gas pedal is pressed or hesitates or pauses for a moment after the gas pedal is engaged
NHTSA ODI #11424974
Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2021
Visibility/wiper
Crack about seven inches long appeared in bottom center of front windshield. Nothing hit the windshield as far as I know. Crack runs from bottom of windshield in an upwards direction.
NHTSA ODI #11422390
5,700 miles · Jun 22, 2021
Visibility
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated upon entering the vehicle, he noticed that the windshield had cracked on the passenger side. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to have it diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. T…
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The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated upon entering the vehicle, he noticed that the windshield had cracked on the passenger side. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to have it diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,700.
NHTSA ODI #11421830
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2021
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper
Bought the car brand new 6 months ago and the windshield crack all of a sudden
NHTSA ODI #11420690
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2021
Visibility/wiper
My windshield all of the sudden got a massive crack. I don’t remember a rock ever hitting it. It has been growing rapidly and I worry it is effecting my drivers assist system. I did some research and learned this was a common problem for Subarus and worry my windshield is defective due to weakness as evidenced by how quickly the…
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My windshield all of the sudden got a massive crack. I don’t remember a rock ever hitting it. It has been growing rapidly and I worry it is effecting my drivers assist system. I did some research and learned this was a common problem for Subarus and worry my windshield is defective due to weakness as evidenced by how quickly the crack is growing. I bought my car brand new 6 months ago.
NHTSA ODI #11419817
106 miles · May 14, 2021
Exterior Lighting
DRIVING HOME IN DAYLIGHT AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF 2021 SUBARU CROSSTREK PREMIUM ON 1/29/21, I RAISED DIMMER SWITCH TO HIGHEST POSITION TO ILLUMINATE DASHBOARD BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE SPEEDOMETER/INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THERE WAS NO ILLUMINATION! THIS IS MY 3RD CROSSTREK PREMIUM SO I KNEW HOW THE DIMMER & LIGHTING CONTROLS WORK. I …
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DRIVING HOME IN DAYLIGHT AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF 2021 SUBARU CROSSTREK PREMIUM ON 1/29/21, I RAISED DIMMER SWITCH TO HIGHEST POSITION TO ILLUMINATE DASHBOARD BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE SPEEDOMETER/INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THERE WAS NO ILLUMINATION! THIS IS MY 3RD CROSSTREK PREMIUM SO I KNEW HOW THE DIMMER & LIGHTING CONTROLS WORK. I CONTACTED DEALER & SERVICE MGR IMMEDIATELY, WAS TOLD "IT IS WHAT IT IS, NOTHING CAN BE DONE, SENSORS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED!. AFTER NUMEROUS COMMUNICATIONS W/SUBARU THROUGH LAST MONTH, THEY WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE, NO LESS ADDRESS, THIS DESIGN FLAW THAT MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE SUBARU OWNERS FORUMS CONTAIN THE SAME COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS MODELS AS WELL. I'VE ATTACHED FIRST SET OF EMAILS TO SUBARU STARTING IN FEBRUARY 2021 AND A SET OF EMAILS ENDING LAST MONTH. I ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT UNDER LEMON LAW TO NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL KNOWING I DIDN'T MEET THE REQUIREMENTS BUT FILED IT TO GET IT ON RECORD; BECAUSE IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A DESIGN FLAW & NOT REPAIRABLE, COMPLAINT WAS REJECTED. HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME AS SUBARU WOULD NOT ALLOW THE CANCELLATION OF MY LEASE EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE CAR WAS SOLD AND WERE ADVISED BY ME OF THE PROBLEM WITHIN 1 DAY OF TAKING DELIVERY. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #11416604
8,308 miles · May 4, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceVisibility/wiper
MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH EYESIGHT, WHICH IS A SUBARU TECHNOLOGY THAT INCLUDES ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISON WARNING/BREAKING, LANE DEPARTURE WARNING, REAR AUTOMATIC BRAKING, ETC. SUBARU CLAIMS THAT WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS MUST USE SUBARU GLASS DUE THE OPTICAL CLARITY OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THAT THE EYESIGHT SYST…
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MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH EYESIGHT, WHICH IS A SUBARU TECHNOLOGY THAT INCLUDES ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISON WARNING/BREAKING, LANE DEPARTURE WARNING, REAR AUTOMATIC BRAKING, ETC. SUBARU CLAIMS THAT WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS MUST USE SUBARU GLASS DUE THE OPTICAL CLARITY OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THAT THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM MUST BE RECALIBRATED. THIS IS A $1339 COST (VIA SAFELIGHT) TO REPLACE THE WINDSHEILD. I HAVE 8400 MILES ON MY VEHICLE, AND I AM GETTING READY TO HAVE THE SECOND WINDSHIELD PUT ON THE CAR. THE GLASS SIMPLY BREAKS TO EASILY. FIRST INCIDENT, A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND IT CRACKED ABOUT INCHES WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH ALBUQUERQUE, NM ON I-25. SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED TODAY ON I-25 WITH A BARELY PERCEPTIBLE SOUND, AND THE WINDSHIELD HAS A CRACK ABOUT 6.6 INCHES LONG. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE ISSUE IS WITH SUBARU WINDSHIELDS, BUT LOOKING IN OWNER FORUMS, IT'S A PRETTY COMMON OCCURRENCE. THE FACT THAT I AM AVERAGING A NEW WINDSHIELD EVERY 4200 MILES IS RIDICULOUS. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 35+ YEARS AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A WINDSHIELD LESS THAN THREE TIMES. WITH THE SUBARU, I AM DOING IT ALMOST EVERY 4-5 MONTHS (SO FAR).
NHTSA ODI #11415184
1,950 miles · May 1, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceLane DepartureSteering
THE LANE KEEPING FEATURE WILL RANDOMLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO VEER TOWARDS THE CENTER LINE AT A VARIETY OF SPEEDS AND UNDER A VARIETY OF CONDITIONS, REQUIRING IMMEDIATE DRIVER CORRECTION TO AVOID CROSSING THE CENTER LINE. NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED BUT THE SYSTEM IS NOW DEACTIVATED. IN ADDITION, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM DO…
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THE LANE KEEPING FEATURE WILL RANDOMLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO VEER TOWARDS THE CENTER LINE AT A VARIETY OF SPEEDS AND UNDER A VARIETY OF CONDITIONS, REQUIRING IMMEDIATE DRIVER CORRECTION TO AVOID CROSSING THE CENTER LINE. NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED BUT THE SYSTEM IS NOW DEACTIVATED. IN ADDITION, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM DOES NOT RELIABLY ACQUIRE A VEHICLE AHEAD IF THAT VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND THE SPEED DIFFERENTIAL IS >30-40 MPH. WITHOUT DRIVER MANUAL BRAKING, A CRASH WOULD OCCUR.
NHTSA ODI #11414690
1,050 miles · Apr 28, 2021
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS APPROXIMATELY EIGHT INCHES LONG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE WINDSHIELD WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS APPROXIMATELY EIGHT INCHES LONG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,050.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2021 Subaru Crosstrek Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year