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2021 Subaru WRX
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
13 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 14, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2021 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 10%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2021 Subaru WRX, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Transmission & drivetrain (6) · Engine (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Transmission & drivetrain
46%6 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“NHTSA ID:#10186366 SUBARU TSB #[XXX] This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing. PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION: The new clutch release beari…”
Engine
38%5 complaints · 3 in the last 2 years
“Excessive blow by contaminating MAP sensors & creating lean/rich conditions. This causes loss of power, stalling and will lead to catastrophic engine failure. EGR syst…”
Electrical system
15%2 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“Car battery keeps dying and is inadequately charged resulting in loss of electronics. The problem is a faulty DCM system.”
Visibility & wipers
15%2 complaints
“Windshield cracked to the point of requiring repair from pinhead size chip that barely left a mark. The windshield is being replaced but photos are available upon requ…”
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Exterior Lighting · 22V522000
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.
Risk: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2021 Subaru WRX beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2021? See how every WRX model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2021 Subaru WRX against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.