AI Damage2021 Subaru WRX: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Subaru WRX filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. The maker issued 208 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 208
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 46% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 38% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 15% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 8% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 8% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 8% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (46% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Engine: 5 complaints (38% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 24.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 134.
- Visibility: 2 complaints (15% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- CVT
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 13 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 7 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 24 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 134 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 66 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Communication | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Car battery keeps dying and is inadequately charged resulting in loss of electronics. The problem is a faulty DCM system.
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…
This issue caused catastrophic engine failure while driving. The vehicle stalled and could not be started. Subaru dealership technicians confirmed the cause as improper service leading to catastrophic oil starvation. The failure put both myself and others at risk, as the engine lost power mid-operation on a busy road.
[dealer] is attempting to charge me $3,000 for an engine replacement, despite warranty coverage that should fully apply. The dealership has refused to acknowledge their failure in prior inspections or take accountability for releasing an unsafe vehicle back onto the road.
This causes loss of power, stalling and will lead to catastrophic engine failure. EGR system is faulty
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.
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.
Hello my name is [XXX], I'm the first time owner of this vehicle, purchased this vehicle new of the dealer with 5 miles, ever since I bought it the car has an issue that it steers to the right at any speed, road, condition very dangerous.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,401 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 33% least complained about).
On average one model year of the WRX has 22 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 13, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines
- This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles
- "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs
DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and…
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
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.
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
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.
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw…
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or…
- This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
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.)
- Techtips newsletter locator index
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
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
- This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing…
This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and…
- This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from…
This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.
NHTSA lists 208 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Subaru WRX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, electrical system. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: engine failure or replacement (31%), stalls while driving (23%), loss of power / limp mode (15%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Subaru WRX?
NHTSA lists 208 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Subaru WRX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.