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What 111 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (111)Crash / fire / injury (10)Visibility & wipers (33)Engine (16)Electrical system (14)Driver assistance (13)Transmission & drivetrain (13)Lane Departure (5)Fuel system (4)Backup camera & sensors (3)Body & structure (3)Brakes (3)

2 of 111 complaints match · Fuel system · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Jan 29, 2023Electrical systemSpeed controlFuel systemCrash

I was driving my 2021 Subaru Crosstrek slowly in a parking lot when it unexpectedly accelerated on its own without me pressing the gas pedal. I believe the Crosstrek was now going 40mph. I tried to shut off the engine and brake at the same time but neither one had any effect. I thought maybe I had two options. Either hit another vehicle or pedestrian or turn my car into the curb. I decided to turn into the curb which resulted in the breaking of both axels, flattening all the tires, and sustaining damage to the front fender and headlight. The car was then towed to a garage we’re it was declared totaled. I checked the internet to see if this had occurred to any other Crosstrek. It turns out their is a class action suit pending for the same reason. Police records will show I was not drunk, sleeping, and the car mat was off gas pedal.12

NHTSA ODI 11504276

Nov 7, 2022EngineFuel systemDriver assistanceFire

My brand new Subaru ignited in the engine compartment, burst into flames and exploded while I was driving it.

NHTSA ODI 11492551

Working with the data? Download all 111 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 20, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness verdict →