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2018 Subaru Crosstrek

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Crosstrek years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek are substantially higher than the model-year median of 43.

About this comparison →
194Owner complaints

Model-year median: 43

5Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
17
2015131
201694
2017194
2018284
201969
2020115
2021
Compare all Crosstrek years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Visibility/wiper
64Unknown Or Other
41Electrical System
32Engine
32Power Train
14
All reported categories
Vehicle Speed Control
13Structure
10Visibility
9Steering
6Exterior Lighting
5Seats
4Wheels
4Forward Collision Avoidance
3Lane Departure
3Service Brakes
3Electronic Stability Control (esc)
2Fuel/propulsion System
2Suspension
2Air Bags
1Back Over Prevention
1Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
1Engine And Engine Cooling
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

117 reports with mileage · 77 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Seats complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2025
Lane DepartureSeats

Driver seat has came loose from its structure, this has been reported by many other owners, the seat track fail and the seat rock back, hopefully it don't fall off track while driving and injure someone, VERY UNSAFE! the other SAFETY issue with our Subaru is the Infotainment system goes on and off intermit with no warning while…

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Driver seat has came loose from its structure, this has been reported by many other owners, the seat track fail and the seat rock back, hopefully it don't fall off track while driving and injure someone, VERY UNSAFE! the other SAFETY issue with our Subaru is the Infotainment system goes on and off intermit with no warning while driving and radio goes on HIGH VOLUME creating health and HEARING damage, very unhealthy for anyone in vehicle when this happens, Dealership says there is no recall for these items, well there should be, let's keep AMERICA safe again, thanks!

NHTSA ODI #11680430

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2024
Seats

The driver seat has been rocking back and forth a bit for a for a couple of weeks and lately started rocking a lot, enough that it rocks back while accelerating and rocks forward while braking causing unintentional excessive breaking. This feels like a safety issue. This is a 2018 car and my previous car (Audi A4) that I had for…

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The driver seat has been rocking back and forth a bit for a for a couple of weeks and lately started rocking a lot, enough that it rocks back while accelerating and rocks forward while braking causing unintentional excessive breaking. This feels like a safety issue. This is a 2018 car and my previous car (Audi A4) that I had for 14 years never had such a thing ever happen, so this is not normal. Here's a video of the rocking: [XXX] I called the dealer (Eastside Subaru, Kirkland WA, phone: (425) 820-8993) to see if there are any safety recalls about it but they said there are not any, and they are not providing priority appointment to inspect/fix even though I told them . I feel there should be a recall for this .. if the seat breaks while driving, it can cause accidents. A google search reveals a few others complaining about it as well. [XXX] Can you please look into this issue, and if you also feel it is a safety problem, ask Subaru to investigate, recall and fix? Thanks, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11600484

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2021
Seats

I recently 10/7/2021 had my Subaru serviced for an oil change, and a couple of safety recalls that were needed. I also had a loose center console, and a loose wobbly drivers seat. Ramsey Subaru, Urbandale IA performed the service. Upon picking the vehicle up on the above date I was informed that all services were performed and f…

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I recently 10/7/2021 had my Subaru serviced for an oil change, and a couple of safety recalls that were needed. I also had a loose center console, and a loose wobbly drivers seat. Ramsey Subaru, Urbandale IA performed the service. Upon picking the vehicle up on the above date I was informed that all services were performed and fixed with the exception of the drivers seat. I was informed that the drivers seat needed to be replaced because “The welds on the bracket had broken.” With that said they said that would not come under warranty because my Subaru has 51,000 miles on it and it is past the 3 years 36,000 mile warranty. I get that, my assumption when I had the car serviced that the bolts on the seat bracket just needed tightened. I was told by the service advisor that the seat bracket would cost over $800.00 to be fixed. How is a weld defect a consumer issue? That is why I’m contacting you. This is a safety issue for the drivers of Subaru’s and other motorists and Subaru needs to be held accountable and fix this issue with a mandatory recall. Please feel free to contact me at [XXX] or by email in regards to this very serious safety issue. I have read on the internet that isn’t the first issue with the seat bracket welds. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11436600

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2021
Seats

Driver seat mounting, the driver seat was rocking, at 11,000 miles the dealer replaced a bolt under warranty. It started again at 25,800 miles. Now out of warranty, the Dealer did replace the seat base at no charge as goodwill...I am a big man 6'3 250# but that should not exceed the parameters of a seat mount...at this point …

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Driver seat mounting, the driver seat was rocking, at 11,000 miles the dealer replaced a bolt under warranty. It started again at 25,800 miles. Now out of warranty, the Dealer did replace the seat base at no charge as goodwill...I am a big man 6'3 250# but that should not exceed the parameters of a seat mount...at this point I am satisficed with the repair but not happy it has occurred twice in a 4 year old car with less than 26,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI #11418921

Official recalls

5

21V263000 · Suspension:rear

Apr 15, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: 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.

21V264000 · Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:software; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm):software; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Apr 15, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Electrical System:software

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.

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

Remedy: 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.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm):software

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.

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

Remedy: 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.

Electrical System:ignition

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.

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

Remedy: 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.

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

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.

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

Remedy: 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.

19V743000 · Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:software

Oct 18, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

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.

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

Remedy: 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.

Electrical System:ignition

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.

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

Remedy: 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.

19V744000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Oct 17, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.

17V701000 · Service Brakes; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Nov 7, 2017

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Crosstrek vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect floor mat retention bracket, allowing the floor mat to move out of position and interfere with the accelerator or brake pedal operation.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mat retention bracket and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTR-77.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Crosstrek vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect floor mat retention bracket, allowing the floor mat to move out of position and interfere with the accelerator or brake pedal operation.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mat retention bracket and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTR-77.

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Crosstrek vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect floor mat retention bracket, allowing the floor mat to move out of position and interfere with the accelerator or brake pedal operation.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mat retention bracket and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTR-77.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.