2021 Subaru Crosstrek Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek lug nut torque is 89 ft-lbs (121 Nm), tightened with a 19mm socket on M12x1.25 studs. Torque in a star pattern in two passes (snug, then final), and re-check after the first 50–100 miles of driving. Use a calibrated torque wrench — not an impact gun — for the final pass.

Lug nut torque: 89 ft-lbs (121 Nm) · Socket size: 19mm · Thread: M12x1.25.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. Use it before any maintenance or repair job where torque values matter — brake work, wheel changes, suspension service, engine teardowns, or oil changes. Specs are pulled from manufacturer service literature, cross-checked against community data, and updated as new chassis variants become available.

Subaru lug-nut torque is 89 ft-lbs (120 Nm) on every modern model with an M12x1.25 thread and 19mm socket. Subaru is one of the only Japanese makes still using the smaller 19mm socket — bring it specifically. The boxer engine's drain plug is on the bottom of the block (not the pan) and uses an unusual 17mm head.

Common fastener categories on the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

Wheel / lug nut torque and thread spec (covered above)
Brake caliper bracket bolts (typically 80-130 ft-lbs) and slide/guide pins (18-35 ft-lbs)
Engine oil drain plug torque — rarely above 30 ft-lbs; always use a new crush washer
Transmission pan, valve cover, and intake manifold bolts (low torque, often 89-106 in-lbs)
Suspension control arm, sway bar, tie rod end and ball joint torque
Spark plug torque (typically 10-15 ft-lbs on aluminum heads — do not exceed)
Differential cover bolts (RWD/4WD only) and transfer case fasteners

Repair guidance for this model year

For 2021 late-model work: Modern vehicles increasingly use aluminum body and suspension components. Aluminum fastener torque is typically 60-70% of equivalent steel torque, and aluminum threads strip easily. Use a calibrated torque wrench and apply anti-seize on any steel fastener threading into aluminum.

Tools you will need

Metric socket set (8mm-22mm), 6-point impact-rated
Calibrated torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs covers most automotive jobs; add a 0-250 ft-lbs wrench for truck lug nuts)
Breaker bar (24" minimum) for initial loosening
Penetrating oil (PB Blaster or Kroil) for any fastener over 5 years old
Anti-seize on stainless or dissimilar-metal threads; thread-locker (Loctite blue) on critical reassembly

Frequently asked questions

What is the lug nut torque on a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is 89 ft-lbs (121 Nm), using a 19mm socket on M12x1.25 thread studs. Use a calibrated torque wrench in a star pattern, in two passes (50% and 100%), and re-check after 50-100 miles of driving.

What socket size do I need for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek lug nuts?

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek uses a 19mm socket. A 6-point impact-rated socket is recommended over a 12-point chrome socket — 12-points round off lug nuts under impact-driver use.

Are the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek fasteners metric or SAE?

Metric is the standard for this vehicle. Most fasteners on this vehicle are metric (M6, M8, M10, M12, M14). Bring a full metric set; SAE substitutes can round the head. Bolt-head markings are the fastest way to confirm grade and material at the bench.

Other Subaru Crosstrek years

Same model, different model year — fastener spec may change. Always confirm against the year for your VIN.

→ 2021 Subaru Crosstrek oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2021 Subaru Crosstrek suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 31 2021 Subaru Crosstrek fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both. 5 of the 31 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data (last reviewed June 2026).

Wheels — 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. For the all corners, plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 89 ft-lbs (121 Nm) (lug nut). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature.

Brakes — 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

Brake fasteners on the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. Rear caliper guide pin bolt tightens to 17 ft-lb (23 Nm), takes a 14mm driver, runs on M9x1.25 threads, located at the rear caliper slide pins. The rear brake caliper bracket bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 40 ft-lb (54 Nm) at the rear caliper bracket to rear knuckle. At the front caliper bracket to steering knuckle, the front brake caliper bracket bolt torques to 89 ft-lbs (121 Nm) (17mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. For the front caliper slide pins (top + bottom), plan for a 14mm tool on a M9x1.25 stud; final torque is 20 ft-lbs (27 Nm) (front caliper guide pin bolt). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. Brake hose banjo bolt tightens to 22 ft-lb (30 Nm), takes a 12mm driver, runs on M10x1.0 threads, located at the brake hose to caliper.

Engine — 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. The oil filter housing bolt uses a 12mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 30 ft-lb (40 Nm) at the oil filter housing / cooler to block. At the oil pan, the oil drain plug torques to 31 ft-lbs (42 Nm) (17mm drive, M12x1.25 thread). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. For the crankshaft front (timing cover side), plan for a 22mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is Stage 1: 33 ft-lb, Stage 2: 94 ft-lb (127 Nm) (crankshaft pulley bolt). Spark plug tightens to 15 ft-lbs (20 Nm), takes a 14mm driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the cylinder head spark plug well (4 plugs). OEM-verified spec. The engine mount bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 40 ft-lb (54 Nm) at the engine mount to subframe (both sides). At the intake manifold to cylinder head, the intake manifold bolt torques to 16 ft-lb (22 Nm) (12mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the valve covers (both banks, 6mm fastener), plan for a 10mm tool on a M6x1.0 stud; final torque is 5.8 ft-lb (8 Nm) (valve cover bolt). Camshaft cap bolt tightens to 7.2 ft-lb (10 Nm), takes a 10mm driver, runs on M6x1.0 threads, located at the cam carrier / camshaft caps. The cylinder head bolt uses a 14mm drive on a M11x1.5 thread, torqued to Multi-stage TTY: 22 ft-lb, then 51 ft-lb, then loosen 180°+180°, then 22 ft-lb, then 51 ft-lb, then +80° + sequence angles at the cylinder head (fb20 boxer, 6 bolts per head).

Drivetrain — 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. At the front hub, the axle nut torques to 137 ft-lb (35mm drive, M24x1.5 thread). For the rear differential housing fill, plan for a 10mm hex tool on a M18x1.5 stud; final torque is 36.9 ft-lb (50 Nm) (rear differential fill plug). Cvt transmission fill plug tightens to 36.9 ft-lb (50 Nm), takes a 10mm hex driver, runs on M18x1.5 threads, located at the cvt fill/level plug on transmission case. The rear differential drain plug uses a 10mm hex drive on a M18x1.5 thread, torqued to 36.2 ft-lb (49 Nm) at the rear differential housing drain. At the cvt transmission pan drain plug, the cvt transmission drain plug torques to 22.9 ft-lb (31 Nm) (17mm drive, M14x1.5 thread).

Suspension — 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. For the rear lateral link to chassis and knuckle, plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 89 ft-lb (120 Nm) (rear control arm bolt). Ball joint pinch bolt tightens to 37 ft-lb (50 Nm), takes a 14mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the ball joint to steering knuckle pinch. The front strut center (upper) nut uses a 19mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 40 ft-lb (54 Nm) at the strut shaft top center nut. At the strut lower mount to knuckle (2 bolts), the front strut-to-knuckle bolt torques to 116 ft-lb (157 Nm) (19mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the rear strut mount nuts on body, plan for a 14mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 23 ft-lb (31 Nm) (rear strut top hat nut). Front strut top hat nut tightens to 15 ft-lb (20 Nm), takes a 14mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the strut mount nuts on top of strut tower (3 nuts). The front lower control arm front bushing bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 81 ft-lb (110 Nm) at the front control arm front bushing to chassis. At the tie rod end to steering knuckle, the tie rod end nut torques to 29 ft-lb + 60° (40 Nm + 60°) (17mm drive, M12x1.25 thread). For the sway bar end link, top and bottom, plan for a 14mm + T30 tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 34 ft-lb (46 Nm) (sway bar end link nut). Rear lower strut bolt tightens to 89 ft-lb (120 Nm), takes a 19mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the rear strut to rear knuckle. The front lower control arm rear bushing bolt uses a 21mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 111 ft-lb (150 Nm) at the front control arm rear bushing bracket to chassis.

New to torquing wheels? Read our How lug nut torque works — the complete guide for star-pattern sequence, re-torque intervals, and how to read a lug spec — then use the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek numbers above.

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