SubaruWRX2021Overview/subaru/wrx/2021/base/

2021 Subaru WRX

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

The 2021 Subaru WRX, built on Subaru’s legacy compact‑sport platform and powered by its trademark turbocharged boxer engine, carries a 5.4‑quart oil capacity and is specified for 5W‑30 viscosity oil, underscoring the model’s precise mechanical tolerances. Across the broader WRX lineage from 2002 to 2025, owner feedback has ranged dramatically, with the earliest year registering 426 complaints while the trough occurred in 2010 with just a single report, illustrating the model’s evolving refinement. In the 2021 iteration, the vehicle logged a modest 13 owner complaints overall, with the Power Train and Engine identified as the principal area of concern and one recall noted, placing this year squarely within the brand’s more reliable recent chapter.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 470 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 470 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size235/45R17 94WOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.7 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3402 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

4.6–6.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.60 sec — 2015 STI Launch Edition
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020Series.White Sedan 2.0L Turbo F-45.20 sec14.00 sec268 hpAWD
2020Series.White Sedan 2.0L Turbo F-45.60 sec14.00 sec268 hpAWD
2020STI Series.White Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-46.00 sec14.20 sec310 hpAWD
2018STI Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.10 sec13.50 sec310 hpAWD
2018STI Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.30 sec13.80 sec310 hpAWD
2018STI Type RA Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.40 sec13.90 sec310 hpAWD
2018Premium Sedan 2.0L Turbo F-45.50 sec14.20 sec268 hpAWD
2018Premium Sedan 2.0L Turbo F-45.60 sec14.10 sec268 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.4 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, GL-5 · 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque 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 High Torque CVT Oil
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.1 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-90
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-90
Engine Oil5W-30 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity5.4 qt

Engine torques

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

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugRear: 37.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFront: 52.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 37.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Setting Speed & Checking Speed: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Speed-Up Speed: 777.5 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)127.5 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug GapTurbo: 0.020-0.022; Non Turbo: NS in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance470 cca

Service checks

RPMTurbo: 50.0 @ Idle rpm

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
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.8 ft. lbs., Step 2: 73.8 ft. lbs., Step 3: Loosen 360°, Step 4: 14.8 ft. lbs., Step 5: 31.0 ft. lbs., Step 6: 98-102°, Step 7: Bolts 1 & 2: 98-102°, Step 8: Bolts 3-6: 48-52°14.8 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30-35°22 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
131.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 31.331.3 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 2021 WRX sits at the end of the VA generation (2015–2021), a period that saw a clear downward trend in complaints and TSBs as the model matured. Complaints dropped from a peak of 53 in 2017 to just 13 in 2021, while recalls fell from 3 in 2015–2016 to a single recall in both 2020 and 2021. The 2021 model’s top complaint areas are limited to a handful of power train and visibility/wiper issues, with no crash or fire incidents reported. Compared to the following generation’s 2022 model (25 complaints, 241 TSBs), the 2021 WRX appears more refined. This is a strong used buy: the data indicates a well-sorted final-year example with minimal reported problems.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
205
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
13
Owner complaints
0 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 13 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train,Engine2
Power Train2
Visibility/Wiper2
Electrical System1
Seats1
Engine1
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V522000Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights:SwitchReported 21/07/2022

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 205 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…
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
02-193-24R2026-05-13EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…

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 WRX. 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 WRX take?

5.4 qt of 5W-30 Synthetic, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 WRX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.