Research Another Vehicle

Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2021 Subaru WRX is associated with 13 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 1 safety recall campaign in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 2 reports (15% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 3 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl and 2.5l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 18 to 23 MPG combined.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 13 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 1 official campaign
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Powertrain (2 / 15%)
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 5 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 18–23 MPG across 3 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2021 Subaru WRX?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
WRX 2L 4-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 20 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $3,300 / yr
WRX 2L 4-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (AV-S8) 18 MPG 24 MPG 21 MPG — $3,600 / yr
WRX 2.5L 4-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 16 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG — $4,200 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2021 Subaru WRX?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
4 DR AWD 10.100000000000001%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Subaru WRX models.
View complete 2021 Subaru WRX crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2021 Subaru WRX?

Summary of 13 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
13
Crash Reports
0
Fire Reports
0
Complaints w/ Injury
0
Total Injuries
0

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Powertrain 2 complaints
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 2 complaints
Visibility & Wipers 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2021 Subaru WRX problems & component breakdown (10 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2021 Subaru WRX?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #22V522000 Active Recall
Affected Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH

Defect Summary: Subaru 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.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.
View all 2021 Subaru WRX recalls & campaign history (1 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2021 Subaru WRX

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2021 Subaru WRX

How many safety recalls does the 2021 Subaru WRX have?

The 2021 Subaru WRX is associated with 1 official NHTSA safety recall campaign in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 1 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 Subaru WRX?

NHTSA records list 13 consumer defect complaints for the 2021 Subaru WRX. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Powertrain, appearing in 2 filings (15% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Explore full 2021 Subaru WRX defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Subaru WRX?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2021 Subaru WRX earned an Overall Safety Rating of 5 out of 5 stars across 1 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2021 Subaru WRX get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2021 Subaru WRX range from 18 to 23 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.