Reliable Auto DB

2021 Subaru Impreza reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2021 Subaru Impreza has 14 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 4 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Impreza years here — under the median of the other years, which is 11. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Front lower control arm and Shift linkage.

2012 Subaru Impreza
Photo by TTTNIS, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC0
Complaints

14

Per year

4

Recalls

2

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Forward collision avoidance (3 of 14), then Visibility and wipers (3) and Speed control (2). The most filings arrived in 2022 (6 of 14). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 Impreza has 85 complaints, 21 per year, and the 2022 has 13 complaints, 2 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Subaru Impreza. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall Front lower control arm 2021-08-30 · NHTSA campaign 21V675000
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.
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.
Recall powertrain, shift linkage 2021-01-26 · NHTSA campaign 21V024000
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.
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.

Complaints by component (14 total)

Forward collision avoidance
3
Visibility and wipers
3
Speed control
2
Steering
2
Tires
2
Air bags
1
Engine
1
Powertrain
1
Service brakes
1
Show 1 more Show less
Crash-flagged

1

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

52021620222202312024
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owned a 2021 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The force of the impact caused the contact to hit another vehicle…"
    Air bags · filed 2024-09-10
  • "The Eye Sight front collision warning did a hard brake going 55 mph when a car was well ahead of me slowing down to turn right. I was almost rear ended by the car behind me. This isn't the first time it's happened"
    Forward collision avoidance · filed 2023-04-07
  • "Went to my car this morning and the windshield was cracked on the top center from the edge of the windshield to around where the rear view mirror is. This crack was not there last night when I parked my car. And there…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2023-03-26
  • "Plastic parts of side mirror melt easily by heat and sunlight. (Not only side mirror, but also other components with the same plastic parts) It bothers driver visibility and safety when driving highway. The problem was…"
    Visibility and wipers · filed 2022-11-25
  • "Vehicle is at 23520 miles, front brake pads are worn to 1mm on passenger side and 2mm on front driver side. Vehicle had been taken on October 04, 2022 for repairs and local Subaru dealer refuses to repair it, even…"
    Service brakes · filed 2022-10-30

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 Subaru Impreza 4 DR AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2021 Subaru Impreza SW AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Impreza 4-Door 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S7) All-wheel drive 28 36 32 MPG $2050
Impreza 4-Door 2L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed All-wheel drive 23 31 26 MPG $2500
Impreza 5-Door 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S7) All-wheel drive 28 36 31 MPG $2100
Impreza 5-Door 2L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed All-wheel drive 24 31 26 MPG $2500
Impreza Sport 4-Door 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S7) All-wheel drive 27 36 30 MPG $2150
Impreza Sport 5-Door 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S7) All-wheel drive 27 35 30 MPG $2150
Impreza Sport 5-Door 2L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed All-wheel drive 22 30 25 MPG $2600

Specs and fitment

5th generation (GK/GT), 2017–2022
Body styles Sedan, Wagon
Oil 0W-20 synthetic (2.0L; 5W-30 if 0W-20 unavailable) , 4.8 qt capacity
Tire size 205/55R16, 205/50R17, 225/40R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA safety recall 21V587000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21. When NHTSA lists multiple Subaru nameplates in one campaign, the published unit count is shared across them.

Compare

Previous year 2020 Subaru Impreza Next year 2022 Subaru Impreza See every Subaru Impreza model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza reliable?

The 2021 Subaru Impreza has 14 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 4 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Impreza years here — under the median of the other years, which is 11. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Front lower control arm and Shift linkage.

What are common problems with a 2021 Subaru Impreza?

The complaints owners file most often name Forward collision avoidance (3 of 14), then Visibility and wipers (3) and Speed control (2). The most filings arrived in 2022 (6 of 14). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 Impreza has 85 complaints, 21 per year, and the 2022 has 13 complaints, 2 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 Subaru Impreza been recalled?

The 2021 Subaru Impreza has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Subaru Impreza?

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2021 Subaru Impreza with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Subaru Impreza get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Subaru Impreza is 28.6 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a Subaru Impreza use?

US Impreza manuals specify 0W-20 synthetic for the FB 2.0L, with 5W-30 only when 0W-20 is unavailable.

What generation is the 2019 Subaru Impreza?

5th generation / GK-GT (2017-2022).

What body styles does the Subaru Impreza offer?

US Impreza generations on this site include sedan and wagon (hatchback) body styles.