2019 Subaru Crosstrek Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 7, 2026 · 285 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Crosstrek years
Far more complaints than other years 1st of 15 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 285 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. That is the most of any Crosstrek model year in the database (15 years). The most reported problem area is visibility/wiper (113 complaints, 40%), typically at around 11,400 miles. Complaints mention 7 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries. There are 7 safety recalls covering this model year.

Subaru Crosstrek
Subaru Crosstrek (GU) at Auto Zuerich 2023. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2019 Subaru Crosstrek problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Visibility/wiper113 · ~11,400 mi
Electrical System53 · ~9,000 mi
Unknown or Other49 · ~8,000 mi
Engine34 · ~8,300 mi
Power Train24 · ~15,000 mi
Steering15 · ~3,700 mi
Fuel/propulsion System14 · ~6,703 mi
Visibility11 · ~24,200 mi
Vehicle Speed Control8 · ~18,500 mi
Structure7 · ~7,500 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Visibility/wiper problems11340%11,400“windshield cracked” (31%)$1,300
Electrical System problems5319%9,000——
Unknown or Other4917%8,000——
Engine3412%8,300——
Power Train248%15,000——
Steering155%3,700——
Fuel/propulsion System145%6,703——
Visibility114%24,200——
Vehicle Speed Control83%18,500——
Structure72%7,500——
Service Brakes62%14,400——
Forward Collision Avoidance41%20,000——
Suspension41%10,500——
Air Bags21%8,000——
Exterior Lighting21%300——
Lane Departure21%7,000——
Seats21%12,000——
Tether, Lower Anchor (on Car Seat or Vehicle)21%———
Wheels21%———
Carry Handle, Shell, Base10%———
Engine and Engine Cooling10%7,990——
Interior Lighting10%———
Seat Belts10%8,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10%31,200——
Tires10%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2020, with 91 complaints
2019: 612019612020: 912020912021: 482021482022: 292022292023: 192023192024: 9202492025: 152025152026: 13202613

n = 285 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2019 Subaru Crosstrek recalls (7)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Suspension:rearApr 15, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V263000 · 408,271 vehicles

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.

Risk: Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-21.

Electrical system:software; engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm):software; electrical system:ignition; engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeApr 15, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V264000 · 466,205 vehicles

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.

Risk: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.

Seat belts:rear/otherMar 31, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V189000 · 4,862 vehicles

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.

Risk: In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. The began April 15, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-20.

Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)Dec 2, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V856000 · 51,613 vehicles

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.

Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.

Electrical system:software; electrical system:ignitionOct 18, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V743000 · 466,205 vehicles

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.

Risk: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.

Visibility:glass, side/rearMay 30, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V404000 · 256 vehicles

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The driver's side rear-door window glass may be improperly tempered. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."

Risk: Improperly tempered glass can shatter into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side rear-door window glass, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUG-92.

Steering:electric power assist systemFeb 6, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V065000 · 10,417 vehicles

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.

Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet. Subaru has notified dealers and they will inspect the steering gearbox, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUC-88.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

2019 Subaru crosstrek brakes failed unintended acceleration crash into handicap metal post.

Service Brakes · received Oct 7, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769558

Recently, Aug 13 we took the 2019 Crosstrek to the to the Subaru center for oil change and a general inspection. Two big problems revealed. 1. Recommend replacing both rear wheel bearings due to noise while driving $2,249. 2. Recommend replacing all 4 TPMS sensors due to low voltage codes present…

Wheels · received Aug 15, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11757124

My engine overheated at 125,000 miles roughly and 2025 and this year the engine oil is leaking into the coolant tank at 135,000 miles.

Engine · received Aug 4, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11754778

While driving, my dashboard warning lights on my 2019 Subaru Crosstrek—AT OIL TEMP, EyeSight, and Lane Assist—illuminated simultaneously with a sudden onset of transmission slippage and erratic shifting, with no prior warning symptoms. The vehicle experienced a sudden mechanical failure of the…

Power Train · received Jul 28, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11753371

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the battery failed to remain charged. During the failure, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. No further information was available. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer…

Electrical System · received Jul 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11751836

Other Subaru Crosstrek years

← 2018 Crosstrek · 2020 Crosstrek →

See all Subaru Crosstrek problems by year, every Subaru model, or the Subaru VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek?

Owners most often report visibility/wiper, electrical system, unknown or other problems. The top one, visibility/wiper, accounts for 113 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek?

Yes, 7 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Crosstrek model years, the 2019 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.