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Severity: ModerateSubaru

P0021 on Subaru Vehicles

The bank 2 intake cam is more advanced than commanded or slow to respond; compare it with bank 1 first. P0021 →

6Complaints mentioning the code
#1Rank among 7 brands
2.4%Share of Subaru DTC complaints

In NHTSA owner complaints we analyzed for Subaru, P0021 was mentioned 6 times.

Notes by brand

Turbocharged Subaru EJ engines with AVCS, such as the WRX STI, Legacy GT and Forester XT, have small oil filter screens feeding the AVCS system on each head. When they clog, P0011 or P0021 follow; on a Subaru boxer, bank 2 is the left-hand bank with cylinders 2 and 4. Cleaning or replacing the screens is a known and moderately priced fix.

Most mentioned models

Subaru Impreza3
Subaru IMPREZA WRX/STI2
Subaru Xv Crosstrek1

Model years mentioned

Model years mentioned – Subaru P0021106107112213114
2006: 1 · 2007: 1 · 2012: 1 · 2013: 2 · 2014: 1

Components named in these complaints

  • Engine (5)
  • Power Train (1)
  • Unknown Or Other (1)
  • Electrical System (1)

Often appears together with

P0011 Powertrain The bank 1 intake cam sits further advanced than the PCM asked for, usually an oil or control… Moderate P0301 Powertrain Cylinder 1 is repeatedly failing to fire. The cause is almost always its coil, plug, injector… Moderate

Possible causes

  1. Bank 2 oil control valve sticking or leaking internally26%
  2. Oil low, old or the wrong viscosity (P0011 usually appears as well)22%
  3. Clogged filter screen or restricted passage feeding the bank 2 valve18%
  4. Bank 2 intake phaser worn or binding14%

P0021: Diagnosis step by step →

Related codes

SubaruFuel & Air MeteringCheck engine light onRough idleEngine stalling

Source: NHTSA Complaints API (US government open data), analyzed by DTC mention.