Subaru Crosstrek Problems by Year
NHTSA has 1,189 owner complaints and 13 safety recalls on file for the Subaru Crosstrek, across 15 model years (2012–2026). The 2019 model year has the most complaints (285). The most reported problem area overall is visibility/wiper.
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Subaru Crosstrek years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Crosstrek year: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2019 Crosstrek: 285 complaints, 7 recalls
- 2018 Crosstrek: 195 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2016 Crosstrek: 132 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2012 Crosstrek: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2026 Crosstrek: 9 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2014 Crosstrek: 16 complaints, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Subaru Crosstrek problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper problems | 292 | 11 | 0 |
| Electrical System problems | 198 | 14 | 8 |
| Engine problems | 147 | 14 | 10 |
| Power Train problems | 114 | 12 | 12 |
| Steering | 59 | 10 | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 52 | 14 | 17 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 51 | 10 | 10 |
| Visibility | 51 | 9 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 49 | 13 | 15 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 38 | 9 | 4 |
| Structure | 36 | 13 | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 35 | 12 | 1 |
| Lane Departure | 28 | 9 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 24 | 10 | 10 |
| Suspension | 19 | 9 | 0 |
| Seats | 18 | 11 | 1 |
| Wheels | 17 | 6 | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 9 | 8 | 6 |
| Tires | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 8 | 6 | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Carry Handle, Shell, Base | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Tether, Lower Anchor (on Car Seat or Vehicle) | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| I Suspect the Car Seat Is Counterfeit | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Subaru Crosstrek problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2019: visibility/wiper (113) · electrical system (53)
- 2018: visibility/wiper (64)
All Subaru Crosstrek model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Crosstrek | 9 | 0 | — | Unknown or Other | |
| 2025 Crosstrek | 44 | 0 | 5★ | Unknown or Other | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2024 Crosstrek | 120 | 2 | 5★ | Unknown or Other | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2023 Crosstrek | 34 | 0 | 5★ | Unknown or Other | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2022 Crosstrek | 31 | 0 | 5★ | Unknown or Other | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2021 Crosstrek | 115 | 1 | 5★ | Visibility/wiper | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2020 Crosstrek | 69 | 0 | 5★ | Visibility/wiper | More complaints than other years |
| 2019 Crosstrek | 285 | 7 | 5★ | Visibility/wiper | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2018 Crosstrek | 195 | 5 | 5★ | Visibility/wiper | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2017 Crosstrek | 94 | 1 | 5★ | Unknown or Other | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2016 Crosstrek | 132 | 1 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 Crosstrek | 17 | 1 | — | Power Train | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2014 Crosstrek | 16 | 1 | — | Power Train | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2013 Crosstrek | 26 | 1 | — | Engine | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2012 Crosstrek | 2 | 0 | — | Engine |
More from Subaru: all Subaru models · Subaru VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Crosstrek years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2016 (132), 2017 (94), 2018 (195), 2019 (285), 2021 (115), 2024 (120) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Crosstrek year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Subaru Crosstrek?
Visibility/wiper, with 292 complaints across 11 model years.
How many recalls does the Subaru Crosstrek have?
13 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.