Subaru Crosstrek years to avoid (and the best years)
1,169 NHTSA owner complaints and 13 recalls across 13 model years, 2013 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
Compared with: Subaru Outback
- 1,169complaints
- 13recalls
- 59reported crashes
- 16reported fires
- 32reported injuries
Which Subaru Crosstrek years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Subaru Crosstrek year to avoid is 2019. The typical Subaru Crosstrek year has 69 complaints on file.
- 2019: 284 complaints, 4.1 times the typical year. Most complaints name the wipers and visibility (43% of complaints) and the electrical system (19% of complaints).
What are the best Subaru Crosstrek years?
The Subaru Crosstrek years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2014 (16), 2015 (17) and 2013 (26). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 43 | 0.6× | 0 | 2 | 2 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2024 | 115 | 1.7× | 2 | 8 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Wipers and visibility |
| 2023 | 34 | 0.5× | 0 | 4 | 4 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2022 | 31 | 0.4× | 0 | 3 | 2 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2021 | 115 | 1.7× | 1 | 8 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Wipers and visibility |
| 2020 | 69 | 1.0× | 0 | 6 | 3 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2019 | 284 | 4.1× | 7 | 6 | 5 | Approach with caution | Wipers and visibility |
| 2018 | 194 | 2.8× | 5 | 10 | 1 | Some concerns to check | Wipers and visibility |
| 2017 | 94 | 1.4× | 1 | 5 | 5 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2016 | 131 | 1.9× | 1 | 4 | 1 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2015 | 17 | 0.2× | 1 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2014 | 16 | 0.2× | 1 | 2 | 0 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2013 | 26 | 0.4× | 1 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 409 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Structure & body147 (36%)
- Electrical & infotainment90 (22%)
- Engine & powertrain69 (17%)
- Steering, suspension & tires35 (9%)
- Brakes34 (8%)
Recalls (13)
Transmission · 23V755000 · Nov 2023 · model year 2021
An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 23V754000 · Nov 2023 · model year 2024
A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 23V551000 · Aug 2023 · model year 2024
A short circuit may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 21V263000 · Apr 2021 · model years 2018, 2019
Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 21V264000 · Apr 2021 · model years 2018, 2019
A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 20V189000 · Mar 2020 · model year 2019
In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Engine · 19V856000 · Dec 2019 · model year 2019
An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 19V743000 · Oct 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 19V744000 · Oct 2019 · model year 2018
An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 19V404000 · May 2019 · model year 2019
Improperly tempered glass can shatter into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.
Exterior lighting · 19V149000 · Feb 2019 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Steering · 19V065000 · Feb 2019 · model year 2019
Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 17V701000 · Nov 2017 · model year 2018
If the floor mat moves out of position and interferes with the accelerator or brake pedal operation, it can increase the risk of a crash.