2021 Subaru WRX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

21 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2021 Subaru WRX, alongside 1 recall campaign and 0 defect investigations. It scores 4/100 on the trouble index — too lightly reported for a fair score.

21Complaints
4/100Trouble index
1Recalls

Few reports

Where 2021 sits among all WRX years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Transmission & drivetrain 6 complaints (29%)
Engine 5 complaints (24%)
Visibility & wipers 2 complaints (10%)
Other 2 complaints (10%)
Electrical 2 complaints (10%)
Steering 1 complaints (5%)

Recalls (1)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 22V522000 2022

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…

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…

Technical service bulletins

205 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2021 Subaru WRX. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2021 WRX TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2022peak 8 in 20242026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2021 Subaru WRX reliable?

The 2021 Subaru WRX drew 21 complaints in federal safety records — too lightly reported for a fair score. Its trouble index is 4/100, scored against the model's worst year (2002).

What are the most common 2021 Subaru WRX problems?

The top reported problems for the 2021 Subaru WRX are transmission & drivetrain (6 complaints), engine (5), and visibility & wipers (2).

Does the 2021 Subaru WRX have recalls?

1 recall campaign applies to the 2021 Subaru WRX. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

← 2020 WRX All WRX years 2022 WRX →
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.