2021 Subaru Impreza
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control leads by volume: 4 of 14 complaints (29%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 85 in 2020 to 14 in 2021.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Small Station Wagons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–2,500 | 2,000–2,500 | 1,950–2,500 | 1,950–2,500 | 1,950–2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–32 | 25–31 | 25–32 | 25–32 | 25–32 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–28 / 30–38 | 22–28 / 30–36 | 22–28 / 30–36 | 22–28 / 30–36 | 22–28 / 30–36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 282–351 | 282–351 | 281–351 | 280–351 | 280–351 | |
| Complaints filed | 194 | 85 | 14 | 13 | 4 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru Impreza have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Subaru Impreza?
Driver Assistance & Speed Control: 4 of 14 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Subaru Impreza get?
EPA rates it 25–32 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Subaru Impreza?
EPA estimates $1,950–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 23 mpg | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 337 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AV-S7) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $1,950 (low) | 281 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AV-S7) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 27 mpg | 36 mpg (high) | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 291 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 24 mpg | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 335 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AV-S7) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 28 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | 31 mpg | $2,000 | 284 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 22 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 351 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (AV-S7) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 27 mpg | 35 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 292 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · Campaign 21V675000 · Aug 31, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD · Campaign 21V024000 · Jan 27, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.