SubaruImpreza2021Overview/subaru/impreza/2021/base/

2021 Subaru Impreza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Impreza.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S7)

The 2021 Subaru Impreza carries Subaru’s automatic AV-S7 transmission and EPA fuel-economy ratings of 28/36/32 mpg, with routine oil service specified as 4.7 quarts of 0W-20. Across the 1990–2026 model complaint history, the 2021 model year logged only 14 owner complaints and two recalls — a small fraction of the 300 complaints recorded for the 2002 peak and much nearer the low end represented by 2026’s single complaint. That position makes the 2021 Impreza one of the quieter entries in the nameplate’s documented run, with the leading complaint category being the catch-all “Unknown Or Other,” suggesting owner reports did not cluster around a single defined problem area.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy28/36/32 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tire sizeP205/55R16 89VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length182.3 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3034 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined28 / 36 / 32 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume100 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Impreza of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.4–9.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.40 sec — 2017 2.0i Sport Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20172.0i Sport Sedan 2.0L F-48.40 sec16.60 sec152 hpAWD
20172.0i Sport Sedan 2.0L F-49.00 sec16.90 sec152 hpAWD
20172.0i Sport 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.10 sec17.10 sec152 hpAWD
20172.0i Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.20 sec17.10 sec152 hpAWD
20172.0i Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.30 sec17.20 sec152 hpAWD
20172.0i Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.60 sec17.40 sec152 hpAWD
20172.0i Sport Sedan 2.0L F-49.70 sec17.40 sec152 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.7 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, GL-5 · 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use a new washer: 31.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidSubaru CVT Oil for Lineartronic II
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.6 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · SAE 75W
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-90
Engine CoolantSubaru Super Coolant P/N SOA868V9270
Engine Coolant Capacity8.2 qt

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new washer: 31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: Use a new gasket: 37.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFront: 52.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 37.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts89.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.04-1.16 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF

Service checks

RPM58.0 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.059" in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inspect ball joint dust cover. Step 3: Replace ball joint if any looseness is detected during step 1. Step 4: Replace ball joint dust cover if any damage is noted during visual inspection of step 2.
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
113.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Bolts 3, 2 & 1: Loosen., Step 3: Bolts 1-3: 13.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: Bolts 8, 6 & 4: Loosen., Step 5: Bolts 4, 6 & 8: 13.0 ft. lbs., Step 6: Bolts 7, 9 & 5: Loosen., Step 7: Bolts 5, 9 & 7: 13.013 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 16.089 in
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
159.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 55-65°59 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30-35°22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Clutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record shows that complaint volumes for the Impreza were high in the early 2000s, peaked again around 2012‑2013, and then began a gradual decline through the late 2010s. In 2021 the model recorded only 14 complaints and 2 recalls, a sharp drop from the 191 complaints in 2019 and 85 complaints in 2020. The low complaint level persisted into the following years, with 12 complaints in 2022 and just 4 complaints in 2023. Recall activity remained modest as well, with 2 recalls in 2021, 1 in 2022, and 2 in 2023, mirroring the surrounding years' low counts. The data do not specify the root causes for any of the reported complaints or recalls. Consequently, the 2021 Subaru Impreza appears to be a reliably low‑issue model year, making it a strong choice for a used‑car purchase.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
304
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
14
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 14 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other2
Tires2
Steering2
Air Bags1
Forward Collision Avoidance1
Visibility/Wiper1
Service Brakes1
Visibility/Wiper,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V675000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower ArmReported 30/08/2021

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…

21V024000Power Train:Shift Linkage/Cable/RodReported 26/01/2021

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 304 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-81-21R2026-06-24Fuel/Propulsion SystemThis bulletin announces design changes made to the fuel injector and fuel pipe in…
16-159-262026-06-22Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in…
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Impreza. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Impreza take?

4.7 qt of 0W-20 Synthetic, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Impreza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Impreza get?

EPA figures are 28 city / 36 highway / 32 combined mpg.