2021 Subaru WRX problems and recalls

46% of owner complaints on the 2021 Subaru WRX related to the Power Train (6 of 13).

13
Complaints
1
Recalls
0
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
0
Injuries
53.9
Severity index

Severity index 53.9 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 53.9p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

Power TrainPower Train: 6 complaints (46.2%)6 46%EngineEngine: 5 complaints (38.5%)5 38%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 2 complaints (15.4%)2 15%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 2 complaints (15.4%)2 15%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 2 complaints (15.4%)2 15%SeatsSeats: 1 complaints (7.7%)1 8%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 1 complaints (7.7%)1 8%SteeringSteering: 1 complaints (7.7%)1 8%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
POWER TRAIN646.2%
ENGINE538.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM215.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER215.4%
VISIBILITY/WIPER215.4%
SEATS17.7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM17.7%
STEERING17.7%

Complaints filed per year

0242022: 32023: 12024: 42025: 42026: 1 (partial year)22232442526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20223
20231
20244
20254
2026 (year to date)1
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 3.0x those in 2022 to 2022 (9 against 3).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
22V52200021/07/2022EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCHSubaru 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.

Other Subaru WRX model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 9 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.