Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2021 Subaru Impreza. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Lower Control Arm Weld Failure
- Summary
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Impreza vehicles. The left-front lower control arm weld may fail, allowing the control arm to separate from the crossmember.
- Consequence
- A separated control arm may cause the tire to contact the wheel well, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the control arm as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRI-21.
CVT Select Lever Cable Nut Not Tightened Properly
- Summary
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Outback and Impreza vehicles. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.
- Consequence
- A loose nut can lead to a lost of retention in the CVT select lever cable and the gear selector not functioning properly, increasing risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, tighten the nut, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-21.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (14)
14 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The forward collision avoidance is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | 21.4% |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 21.4% |
| Steering | 2 | 14.3% |
| Tires | 2 | 14.3% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 14.3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 14.3% |
| Air bags | 1 | 7.1% |
| Engine | 1 | 7.1% |
| Power train | 1 | 7.1% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 7.1% |
How 2021 compares with other Impreza years
Best and worst Impreza years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 125 | 7 |
| 2018 | 151 | 5 |
| 2019 | 194 | 5 |
| 2020 | 85 | 1 |
| 2021 | 14 | 2 |
| 2022 | 13 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 | 2 |
| 2024 | 32 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2021 Subaru Impreza 4 dr awd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 32 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,100
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 281 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 32 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · AV-S7 CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 28 / 36 / 32 | $2,100 | 281 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · AV-S7 CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 28 / 36 / 31 | $2,150 | 284 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · AV-S7 CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 36 / 30 | $2,250 | 291 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · AV-S7 CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 35 / 30 | $2,250 | 292 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | $2,600 | 337 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 31 / 26 | $2,600 | 335 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 | 351 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2021 Impreza for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2021 Subaru Impreza FAQ
How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru Impreza have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 21V675000 (suspension), 21V024000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2021 Subaru Impreza problems?
Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. Forward collision avoidance (3), Visibility/wiper (3), Steering (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2021 Subaru Impreza get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · AV-S7 CVT version at 28 city, 36 highway and 32 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2021 Subaru Impreza get?
NHTSA rated the 2021 Subaru Impreza 4 dr awd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 5 stars rollover (9.5% rollover risk).
How does the 2021 Impreza compare with other years?
Among the 2017–2021 Subaru Impreza model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (14) and the 2019 the most (194). The 2021 drew 14. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.