Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the steering, wipers and visibility, and acceleration and cruise control. The 10 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021One recall on this model year told owners to stop driving until the repair was done.
Do not buy until you have dealer paperwork or a recall lookup showing it was completed for this VIN.
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/10 checked
2021 Subaru Impreza: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2021's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2021 Subaru Impreza. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD | 32 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Subaru Impreza, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
The car drifts slightly left or right instead of holding center, and some reports describe steering that feels erratically loose at highway speed with a slight swerve. Problems appear on new cars, one within the first 700 miles. Dealers typically respond with an alignment, but reports say the wander comes back or is never fully fixed, and one dealer admitted it had no answer. The risk is greatest on the highway and in wind or bad weather, where constant drift reduces stability and the driver's sense of control.
The windshield cracks on its own, with no impact point, starting near the defroster area in a J shape. Some cars crack again in the same spot after replacement, sometimes overnight as temperatures rise. A cracked windshield also affects the EyeSight camera, and replacement requires recalibration of the driver-assist system. Separately, plastic parts on the side mirrors melt or deform in heat and sunlight, which hurts rear visibility on the highway. Dealers treated the mirror damage as the owner's fault and advised parking in the shade.
Adaptive cruise control brakes suddenly with no vehicle or debris ahead, slowing the car hard enough to jolt occupants. A dealer suggested glare as the cause. Other reports describe the car moving forward or backward without gas pedal input once the brake is released, and even speeding up through a turn in a parking lot at about 5 mph. Both patterns carry crash risk: unexpected braking invites a rear-end collision on the highway, and unintended creeping can roll the car into obstacles or people at low speed.
Sidewalls develop bulges on the factory tires, and some cars need more than one tire replaced for the same problem, with one case at about 8,000 miles of normal local driving. Reports cover both the 18-inch Yokohama and the 16-inch Continental ProContact TX tires. One blowout happened at about 30 mph with a loud noise, a sudden pull to the right, a damaged rim, and no warning light. A bulging or failing tire can lead to a blowout and loss of control.
Excerpts from complaints Impreza owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
New lease beginning in March 2021. The steering column is erratically loose, noticeable at highway speed in April 2021, accompanied by slight swerve. Subaru dealer (cityside) begrudgingly assessed and found it needed alignment Aligned. Steering column now again erratically loose, less so than before, but still disconcerting, and accompanied by slight swerve. Does not feel safe to drive at highway speed.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2021
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 reviewed by subaru service center, and they said it is not their problems. Subaru service center said they saw few cases but they said it is customers fault. Service center said customer needs to park in the shade or safe place.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2022
I was using the adaptive cruise control on the highway set to 55 mph. The car suddenly decelerated to ~44 mph so quickly I had whiplash. There was no other vehicle in front of me and the highway was clear of debris. The dealership said this could be caused by a glare.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2022
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 ranks fifth for owner complaints among 8 Impreza years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2021 is the fifth model year of the Impreza's fifth generation (2017–2023).
It includes the 2020 update.
What changed for 2020
Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
Risk: A separated control arm may cause the tire to contact the wheel well, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: A loose nut can lead to a lost of retention in the CVT select lever cable and the gear selector not functioning properly, increasing risk of crash.
Fix: 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.
Cars shoppers compare with the Subaru Impreza, with their own 2021 checklists.
2021 owner complaints, side by side
