2021 Subaru Impreza Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2021 Subaru Impreza has 19 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve visibility/wiper and steering.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 19 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
VISIBILITY/WIPER
3 15.8%
STEERING
2 10.5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 10.5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 10.5%
TIRES
2 10.5%
Quick Insights
The top category is VISIBILITY/WIPER, accounting for 15.8% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 11 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2021 Subaru Impreza
The 2021 Subaru Impreza has 19 owner complaints in this dataset. VISIBILITY/WIPER is the most common complaint category, representing about 16% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2021 Subaru Impreza are VISIBILITY/WIPER (3), STEERING (2), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 5 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2021 Subaru Impreza?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 11 of 11 systems
VISIBILITY/WIPER
3 Reports16% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
JULY 09 2021 REPORTED TO SUBARU EL PASO AT TIME OF FIRST MAINTENANCE (6000 MILES) VEHICLE LOSSES POWER AND STALLS WHEN MAKING TURNS, IT IS MORE NOTICEABLE MAKING A LEFT TURN. TECHNICIAN SAID COUDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NO FURTER ACTION WAS NEEDED. HOWEVER A YEAR ;LATER FROM TIME TO TIME VEHICLE DOES STALL WHILE MAKING TURNS MAKING, ODOMETER READS 18081. THE OHER ISSUE IS ITS WINDSHIELD, IT CRACKED WHILE DRIVING IT ON JANUARY 29, 2022, THERE IS NO STRESS MARKS FROM PEBBLES, ROCKS, OR ANY OTHER FLYING FROM THE ROAD OR VEHICLES. WROTE AN INQUIRY TO MANUFACTURER, SENT A PICTURE, BUT WE NEVER GOT A RESPONSE TO THIS INQUIRY, TOOK VEHICLE FOR ITS 18000 SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, LET SUBARU OF EL PASO TO LOOK AT IT, AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS TO CALL OUR AUTO INSURANCE TO HANDLE ITS REPAIR, TECHNICIAN DID NOT BOTHER TO INSPECT THIS ISSUE AND DIDN'T RECORDER ON MAINTENANCE
5/28/2022
Front windshield spontaneous cracking from defroster area in a "J" shape. This is the second windshield since new to do this (2021 model). Available for inspection. The first windshield was inspected and replaced by Subaru at their cost minus eyesight recalibration (ADAS). First windshield was inspected by insurance and no impact point was found and was notified to contact dealer before filing a claim with insurance. The second cracked windshield is in the same area as the first with exactly the same shape and abruptness. Cracked while car was sitting over night. Temps at 6 am were 37 degress. Temps at time of crack were 60 degrees. Car is equipped with eyesight that is affected by the crack once it grows into the eyesight camera view.
10/18/2022
STEERING
2 Reports11% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THIS CAR WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT. NICE FIRM STEERING, BUT SIMPLY WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT. THERE IS NO SENSE OF CENTER. IF LEFT ALONE, THE STEERING WILL GO SLIGHTLY LEFT, OR SLIGHTLY RIGHT, BUT NEVER CENTER. THIS IS ANNOYING FAIR WEATHER, BUT OUTRIGHT DANGEROUS IN WEATHER OR WIND. A MAJOR IMPACT ON VEHICLE STABILITY AND SAFETY. THIS CAR IS NEW, WITH 700 MILES AND HAS DONE THIS SINCE DAY ONE. A SUBARU DEALER IS CHECKING THE ALIGNMENT, BUT THEY SAY THE ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, AND HAVE NO ANSWERS. EVEN AN ALIGNMENT MAY NOT FIX THE ISSUE. FOR THE RECORD, MY LEVEL OF CAR AND MECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE IS VERY HIGH, SO THIS IS NOT A CASUAL COMPLAINT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR THREE WEEKS, NOT GETTING BETTER.
3/31/2021
New lease beginning in March 2021. The steering column is erratically loose, noticeable at highway speed in April 2021, accompanied by slight swerve. Subaru dealer (cityside) begrudgingly assessed and found it needed alignment Aligned. Steering column now again erratically loose, less so than before, but still disconcerting, and accompanied by slight swerve. Does not feel safe to drive at highway speed.
7/11/2021
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 Reports11% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM DRIVER. DRIVER DID NOT APPLY PRESSURE TO GAS PEDAL HOWEVER THE CAR STILL MOVES BOTH FORWARD AN BACKWARDS. CAR ACCELERATED ENOUGH TO DRIVE OVER A SPEED BUMP WITHOUT STOPPING, ROUGHLY 5 MPH. THREE VIDEOS WERE TAKEN TO DOCUMENT THE ISSUE. THE EVENT HAPPEN IN A PARKING LOT, THE CAR WAS STOPPED AT FIRST HOWEVER AS SOON AS THE DRIVER REMOVED PRESSURE FROM BRAKES PAFEL, THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT INPUT. THE CAR DIDNT SLOW DOWN EVEN WHEN TURNING, IN FACT THE CAR APPEARS TO HAVE SPEED UP. UNABLE TO UP LOAD VIDEO
4/4/2021
I was using the adaptive cruise control on the highway set to 55 mph. The car suddenly decelerated to ~44 mph so quickly I had whiplash. There was no other vehicle in front of me and the highway was clear of debris. The dealership said this could be caused by a glare.
6/20/2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 Reports11% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
CRACKED WINDSHIELD WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF PURCHASING NEW 2021 SUBARU IMPREZA HATCHBACK AWD
4/23/2021
Went to my car this morning and the windshield was cracked on the top center from the edge of the windshield to around where the rear view mirror is. This crack was not there last night when I parked my car. And there was no accident/damage to the windshield before this morning.
3/26/2023
TIRES
2 Reports11% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
Tiers are Yokohama P225/40R18 88V This vehicle now has slightly more than 8,000 miles and has only been driven over local roads under normal operating conditions and speeds. A couple of weeks ago, while getting gas, I noticed a knot/bulge developing on front driver's side sidewall. The integrity of the tire was compromised so I contacted the dealership and arranged to have the tire replaced. I can produce the dealership repair bill upon request. Yesterday while taking my wife to an appointment, I noticed a knot/bulge developing on rear driver's side sidewall requiring another trip to the dealership and another tire replacement. I can take a photo of bulge in rear tire or have dealership preserve the tire if you would like it for your investigation of my complaint. Fortunately I have the resources to have the tires repaired. In my case the bulges appeared in the sidewall visible to me. I knew that integrity of the tire was compromised and immediate action was necessary. I am more than 60 years old. I have owned several new cars and this is the first time I have experienced this. It is possible that other motorists encountering the same problem may not have the resources to purchase multiple replacement tires. It is also possible that the bulge might appear on the backside of the sidewall where it would not be noticed. It is possible that another motorist might not recognize the integrity of the tire was compromised and that their life and the lives of others were potentially at risk.
5/20/2021
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Impreza equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: ProContact TX, Tire Size: P205/55/R16, DOT Number: A3T2WC892420. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, she heard a loud abnormal noise and the vehicle started pulling to the right. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. While inspecting the vehicle, she noticed that the passengerâs side front tire had blown out and that the rim was damaged. The contact called AAA Roadside Assistance who was able to replace faulty tire with spare tire. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front passengerâs side tire and rim replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The tire manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,700.
1/24/2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
2 Reports11% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I was using the adaptive cruise control on the highway set to 55 mph. The car suddenly decelerated to ~44 mph so quickly I had whiplash. There was no other vehicle in front of me and the highway was clear of debris. The dealership said this could be caused by a glare.
6/20/2022
Front windshield spontaneous cracking from defroster area in a "J" shape. This is the second windshield since new to do this (2021 model). Available for inspection. The first windshield was inspected and replaced by Subaru at their cost minus eyesight recalibration (ADAS). First windshield was inspected by insurance and no impact point was found and was notified to contact dealer before filing a claim with insurance. The second cracked windshield is in the same area as the first with exactly the same shape and abruptness. Cracked while car was sitting over night. Temps at 6 am were 37 degress. Temps at time of crack were 60 degrees. Car is equipped with eyesight that is affected by the crack once it grows into the eyesight camera view.
10/18/2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
2 Reports11% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
Front windshield spontaneous cracking from defroster area in a "J" shape. This is the second windshield since new to do this (2021 model). Available for inspection. The first windshield was inspected and replaced by Subaru at their cost minus eyesight recalibration (ADAS). First windshield was inspected by insurance and no impact point was found and was notified to contact dealer before filing a claim with insurance. The second cracked windshield is in the same area as the first with exactly the same shape and abruptness. Cracked while car was sitting over night. Temps at 6 am were 37 degress. Temps at time of crack were 60 degrees. Car is equipped with eyesight that is affected by the crack once it grows into the eyesight camera view.
10/18/2022
The Eye Sight front collision warning did a hard brake going 55 mph when a car was well ahead of me slowing down to turn right. I was almost rear ended by the car behind me. This isn't the first time it's happened
4/7/2023
ENGINE
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM DRIVER. DRIVER DID NOT APPLY PRESSURE TO GAS PEDAL HOWEVER THE CAR STILL MOVES BOTH FORWARD AN BACKWARDS. CAR ACCELERATED ENOUGH TO DRIVE OVER A SPEED BUMP WITHOUT STOPPING, ROUGHLY 5 MPH. THREE VIDEOS WERE TAKEN TO DOCUMENT THE ISSUE. THE EVENT HAPPEN IN A PARKING LOT, THE CAR WAS STOPPED AT FIRST HOWEVER AS SOON AS THE DRIVER REMOVED PRESSURE FROM BRAKES PAFEL, THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT INPUT. THE CAR DIDNT SLOW DOWN EVEN WHEN TURNING, IN FACT THE CAR APPEARS TO HAVE SPEED UP. UNABLE TO UP LOAD VIDEO
4/4/2021
POWER TRAIN
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
JULY 09 2021 REPORTED TO SUBARU EL PASO AT TIME OF FIRST MAINTENANCE (6000 MILES) VEHICLE LOSSES POWER AND STALLS WHEN MAKING TURNS, IT IS MORE NOTICEABLE MAKING A LEFT TURN. TECHNICIAN SAID COUDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NO FURTER ACTION WAS NEEDED. HOWEVER A YEAR ;LATER FROM TIME TO TIME VEHICLE DOES STALL WHILE MAKING TURNS MAKING, ODOMETER READS 18081. THE OHER ISSUE IS ITS WINDSHIELD, IT CRACKED WHILE DRIVING IT ON JANUARY 29, 2022, THERE IS NO STRESS MARKS FROM PEBBLES, ROCKS, OR ANY OTHER FLYING FROM THE ROAD OR VEHICLES. WROTE AN INQUIRY TO MANUFACTURER, SENT A PICTURE, BUT WE NEVER GOT A RESPONSE TO THIS INQUIRY, TOOK VEHICLE FOR ITS 18000 SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, LET SUBARU OF EL PASO TO LOOK AT IT, AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS TO CALL OUR AUTO INSURANCE TO HANDLE ITS REPAIR, TECHNICIAN DID NOT BOTHER TO INSPECT THIS ISSUE AND DIDN'T RECORDER ON MAINTENANCE
5/28/2022
SERVICE BRAKES
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
Vehicle is at 23520 miles, front brake pads are worn to 1mm on passenger side and 2mm on front driver side. Vehicle had been taken on October 04, 2022 for repairs and local Subaru dealer refuses to repair it, even though warranty still applicable for defects until 3 years or 36,000 miles as stated in pages 4 and 5 the Warranty and Maintenance 2021 Book. Also vehicle has oil leak under rear side of motor.
10/30/2022
AIR BAGS
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owned a 2021 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The force of the impact caused the contact to hit another vehicle which then caused that vehicle to also hit another vehicle; in total, four vehicles were involved in the accident. The contact's air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact was taken to hospital via an ambulance where they were treated for a nasal fracture. The contact also suffered additional bruises to the face, both arms and right upper thigh. During a recent surgery for an appendix removal, the contact's surgeon discovered bruising on the contact's colon; likely caused by the accident. The driver that caused the collision claimed to have suffered from a seizure which caused the accident; that driver did not suffer any physical injuries. The whereabouts of the other two drivers involved in the accident were unknown. A police report was filed. The contact's vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
9/10/2024
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2021 Subaru Impreza?
Are complaints about the 2021 Subaru Impreza a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2021 Subaru Impreza?
Are complaints about the 2021 Subaru Impreza severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Subaru Impreza: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 19
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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