2021 Subaru Crosstrek Reliability Score & Common Problems

Owners of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek commonly report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly involving battery failures and USB connection problems. Complaints frequently mention batteries draining quickly or completely, sometimes after short periods of inactivity, with some incidents occurring as early as 1,300 miles. Additionally, multiple owners describe intermittent connections with the USB ports affecting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which can lead to driver distraction. A notable safety concern is reported in a crash incident where unintended acceleration occurred, resulting in significant vehicle damage. These issues may be relevant for potential buyers considering a used model, especially regarding the vehicle's reliability and safety.

Owners of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, particularly the Eyesight feature. Complaints often describe the system either failing to activate during actual collision scenarios or engaging unexpectedly without any obstacles present. Two crashes are reported, with one involving injuries, where the system did not activate to prevent a collision. Additionally, multiple owners note the system's tendency to falsely detect obstacles, such as exhaust fumes, resulting in sudden braking. These incidents typically occur at varying speeds, both on highways and at low speeds, indicating a broad operational range. Potential buyers should be aware of these reported issues, as they may impact safety and driving experience.

Owners of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report steering issues related to the vehicle's lane-keeping assist (LKA) and adaptive cruise control systems. Complaints describe the vehicle veering towards the center line or aggressively jerking towards larger vehicles, such as semi-trucks, while these features are engaged. These issues often occur at highway speeds, with owners noting that significant manual steering input is required to maintain control. The problems are reported as early as 90 miles and persist even after attempts to recalibrate the systems. Safety implications include potential loss of control and increased risk of collision, particularly when the systems fail to function as intended. Buyers should be aware of these steering-related concerns, especially if considering a vehicle with advanced driver-assistance features.

Owners of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek report issues related to the vehicle's visibility features, specifically involving the sunroof and windshield. Two complaints describe unexpected windshield cracking on both the driver's and passenger's sides, with no apparent impact, at mileages of approximately 1,050 and 5,700 miles. Another owner reports the sunroof exploding while driving at 70 MPH, with shattered glass blowing out of the vehicle, occurring around 60,000 miles. These issues, particularly the sunroof failure, may have safety implications due to potential distraction or injury from glass debris. Prospective buyers may want to consider these reports when evaluating the vehicle's durability and safety features.

Owners of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek report issues with the airbag system, particularly in situations involving a crash and passenger occupancy detection. In one instance, during a rear-end collision, the airbags failed to deploy, and seatbelts did not lock, resulting in the vehicle being totaled and two injuries. Another complaint mentions the airbag indicator showing "OFF" when a passenger is seated. These issues suggest potential safety implications, including non-deployment of airbags and improper seatbelt function during a crash. These complaints do not provide specific mileage data, but they highlight critical safety concerns for prospective buyers to consider.

Owners of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek report issues with the service brakes, including rear rotors delaminating at approximately 33,000 miles. A more severe complaint involves unintended acceleration incidents when the vehicle is stationary, leading to a crash and a significant injury. In one instance, while parallel parking in winter, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated in reverse despite brake application, resulting in a collision. Another incident describes the car spontaneously moving forward from a stopped position, causing a severe leg injury when the door closed on the driver. These reports indicate potential safety implications, particularly involving loss of control during low-speed maneuvers.

Owners of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek report issues related to vehicle speed control, with two primary symptoms. The first involves the automatic braking system engaging unexpectedly, preventing acceleration and causing warning lights such as the check engine, Eyesight, and RAB lights to illuminate. This incident is associated with a failure of the Engine Coolant Bypass Valve and occurs without prior warning, posing significant safety risks, particularly at highway speeds. The second reported issue is a lag in acceleration response when depressing the accelerator pedal, occurring sporadically and potentially impacting maneuverability in traffic situations. These problems highlight potential safety implications, particularly in scenarios requiring quick acceleration or when driving in congested conditions.