IllustrationI WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 65 MPH BUT DID NOT SEE ANYTHING HIT WINDSHIELD. SMALL CRACK TO START.. SMALL SPIDER WEB CRACK GREW INTO A UN-REPAIRABLE 6-8 INCHES IN 4 DAYS.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Crosstrek years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
730–25K
2725–50K
1350–75K
475–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
41 reportsMY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWICE AND CHIPPED OTHER TIMES, I BELIEVE IT TO BE DEFECTIVE! *TR
IN NOV 2017, AT 700 MILES, I HAD A REMOTE START INSTALLED AT THE DEALERSHIP. IN MAY 2018, MY REMOTE START WOULD NOT START THE CAR & WHEN IT WOULD THE CAR WOULD STALL. EVEN WITHOUT THE REMOTE START MY CAR WOULDN'T START OR IT WOULD START AND SHUT OFF. I COULDN'T GET IT TO FUNCTION FOR 3 DAYS. IN ADDITION, I WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH…
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IN NOV 2017, AT 700 MILES, I HAD A REMOTE START INSTALLED AT THE DEALERSHIP. IN MAY 2018, MY REMOTE START WOULD NOT START THE CAR & WHEN IT WOULD THE CAR WOULD STALL. EVEN WITHOUT THE REMOTE START MY CAR WOULDN'T START OR IT WOULD START AND SHUT OFF. I COULDN'T GET IT TO FUNCTION FOR 3 DAYS. IN ADDITION, I WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH MY RADIO. THE RADIO WOULD FREEZE UP OR IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF, THERE WERE TIMES THE RADIO WOULD KEEP RUNNING FOR CLOSE TO 15 MINUTES EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF. I TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP IN MAY 2018 AT 4136 MILES & THEY STATED MY TERMINAL CONNECTIONS WERE LOOSE, THEY COMPLETED A RADIO UPDATE & THAT WHEN THE REMOTE START WAS INSTALLED THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS FULLY CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY. SHORTLY AFTER, MY GPS WOULD LOSE CONNECTION A LOT, MY EYE SIGHT TECHNOLOGY SHUTS OFF WHEN I'M DRIVING IF IT'S FOGGY OR RAINY, MY REVERSE AUTO BRAKE HAS STOPPED MY CAR EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NOTHING BEHIND ME, MY CAR AUTO BRAKED ON THE HIGHWAY TWICE EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT NEAR ANYONE & ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS, & MY RADIO HAS FROZEN UP, SO I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BUT VIEW A BLUE SCREEN WITH WHITE STARS. I KEPT GETTING CHARGED FOR STARLINK BUT IT NEVER WORKED, THE ICONS WOULDN'T EVEN LIGHT UP ON MY SCREEN FOR IT. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR NUMEROUS RECALLS IN FEB 2020, MY CAR HAD 13,790 MILES. ON MAY 20, 2020, MY CAR WOULD NOT START; MY KEY FOBS & REMOTE START WOULDN'T WORK. A JUMPER BOX COULDN'T START MY CAR; I HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE JUMP THE CAR. THE CAR RAN ROUGH & THE ODOMETER SHUT OFF & THE SCREEN CHANGED WHILE DRIVING. TODAY, THE CAR IS DEAD AGAIN. I CAN ONLY GET INTO MY CAR WITH EMERGENCY KEY, THE CAR & ELECTRONICS WILL NOT TURN ON & LIGHTS WERE BLINKING ON THE DASHBOARD. MY CAR HAS 17,132 MILES & THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I AM COMPLETELY WITHOUT A CAR FOR DAYS. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE BATTERY & ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THIS CAR. *TR
CRACKED WINDSHIELD LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON THE CAR.
THE WINDSHIELD CHIPPED FOR NO REASON. THEN IT SPREAD A CRACK ACROSS THE PASSENGER TO THE DRIVER SIDE. IT WAS PARKED IN A SAFE PLACE AND I DID NOT DRIVE IT AT ALL SINCE I WORKED FROM HOME.
OCT 2017, STONE CHIP PASSENGER VIOLENTLY CRACKED NEXT MORNING WHEN DEFROSTER WAS RUN TO DEFOG FRONT WINDOW. CAR WAS STATIONARY.
I HAVE A SECURITY ISSUE RELATED TO THE 2018 CROSSTREK AND THE DOOR LOCKING AND UNLOCKING SYSTEM. THIS ISSUE PUTS VEHICLE OPERATORS AT RISK AND FAILS TO PROTECT THE CONTENTS OF THE VEHICLE WHEN UNATTENDED. WE EXPERIENCE ISSUES WHERE THE ALARM WOULD SOUND WHEN OPENING THE DRIVER DOOR. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE DOCUMENTATION THAT …
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I HAVE A SECURITY ISSUE RELATED TO THE 2018 CROSSTREK AND THE DOOR LOCKING AND UNLOCKING SYSTEM. THIS ISSUE PUTS VEHICLE OPERATORS AT RISK AND FAILS TO PROTECT THE CONTENTS OF THE VEHICLE WHEN UNATTENDED. WE EXPERIENCE ISSUES WHERE THE ALARM WOULD SOUND WHEN OPENING THE DRIVER DOOR. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE DOCUMENTATION THAT DESCRIBED THIS SO WE WENT TO SEARCH THE INTERNET FOR HELP. WE DISCOVERED MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LOCKED WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL BUT THE DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT LOCK. THE VEHICLE CAN BE ENTERED WHEN UNATTENDED, THE DOORS MANUALLY UNLOCKED AND THE CONTENTS REMOVED. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THE DOOR IS NOT LOCKED WHILE OPERATED. THIS EXPOSES THE OCCUPANTS TO THE RISK OF UNEXPECTED ENTRY FROM OUTSIDE WHILE THEY ARE OPERATING THE CAR. THIS SITUATION OCCURS WHEN THE DOOR HANDLE IS USED TO UNLOCK AND OPEN THE CAR IN A SINGLE MOTION. THE LOCKING LATCH GETS CAUGHT IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION AND WILL NOT CLOSE. THERE IS A NOTABLE DIFFERENCE IN THE SOUND MADE BY THE DRIVER LOCK. THE CORRECTIVE ACTION IS TO USE THE EMERGENCY KEY CONTAINED IN THE KEYFOB AND TURN THE LOCK. I TURNED IT TO LOCK AND UNLOCK AND RESTORED NORMAL OPERATION, BUT THIS WAS AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME WHERE MY WIFE AND HER PACKAGES WERE EXPOSED. I BELIEVE A WORKAROUND IS TO NOT OPEN THE DOOR IN A SINGLE MOTION, BUT RATHER TO TOUCH THE HANDLE, PAUSE WHILE IT UNLOCKS. THERE ARE SEVERAL STEPS I BELIEVE SUBARU SHOULD TAKE. FIRST, I BELIEVE SUBARY SHOULD NOTIFY CUSTOMERS OF THIS CONDITION, OF THE SIGNS IT EXISTS AND HOW TO RESOLVE IT. THE RISK IS REAL AND THEY SHOULD BE STATED. SECOND, I BELIEVE THE SOLENOID THAT LOCKS THE DOOR IS TOO WEAK TO FREE ITSELF, AND SUBARU SHOULD UPGRADE THIS PART SO THAT IF THIS OCCURS, THE NEXT USE OF THE LOCK CORRECTS IT. THIRD, I THINK SUBARU SHOULD CONDUCT TESTS OF ITS OWN ACROSS ALL MODELS.
WHEN THE SUNROOF IS OPEN - THERE IS A BLINDING GLARE(ON A SUNNY DAY) PROJECTED FROM THE BASE 6.5 INCH RADIO SCREEN DIRECTLY INTO THE DRIVERS EYES. SINCE THIS IS A BLINDING CONDITION IT MAKES DRIVING WITH THE SUNROOF OPEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT COULD BLIND THE DRIVER CAUSING A ACCIDENT - THE RADIO SCREEN SHOULD HAVE EITHER BEE…
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WHEN THE SUNROOF IS OPEN - THERE IS A BLINDING GLARE(ON A SUNNY DAY) PROJECTED FROM THE BASE 6.5 INCH RADIO SCREEN DIRECTLY INTO THE DRIVERS EYES. SINCE THIS IS A BLINDING CONDITION IT MAKES DRIVING WITH THE SUNROOF OPEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT COULD BLIND THE DRIVER CAUSING A ACCIDENT - THE RADIO SCREEN SHOULD HAVE EITHER BEEN COATED WITH A NON-REFLECTIVE COVER - OR - TILTED FORWARD SOTHAT SUNLIGHT IS NOT PROJECTED DIRECTLY INTO THE DRIVERS EYES. WROTE SUBARU A LETTER - NO RESPONSE.
MY SUNROOF EXPLODED YESTERDAY, 7/13/18, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON RT. 95. IT MADE A HOLE THROUGH BOTH LAYERS OF GLASS. FORTUNATELY I HAD THE SUNSHADE PULLED OR THE GLASS WOULD HAVE COME INTO THE CAR. NO ONE WAS HURT BUT MY ROOF CAN'T BE REPLACED UNTIL AUGUST BECAUSE OF THE HIGH DEMAND FOR REPLACEMENTS. I WAS TOO SHAKEN TO THINK …
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MY SUNROOF EXPLODED YESTERDAY, 7/13/18, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON RT. 95. IT MADE A HOLE THROUGH BOTH LAYERS OF GLASS. FORTUNATELY I HAD THE SUNSHADE PULLED OR THE GLASS WOULD HAVE COME INTO THE CAR. NO ONE WAS HURT BUT MY ROOF CAN'T BE REPLACED UNTIL AUGUST BECAUSE OF THE HIGH DEMAND FOR REPLACEMENTS. I WAS TOO SHAKEN TO THINK OF TAKING A PICTURE AND IT IS NOW WRAPPED UP TIGHT AT THE DEALER.
JUNE 2, 2018. PURCHASED A NEW 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK FROM MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND DROVE THE CAR HOME. THE NEXT DAY (JUNE 3, 2018), ON MY FIRST TRIP OUT TO RUN ERRANDS THE CAR STALLED AFTER GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AT SLOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT. THE NEXT DAY (JUNE 4, 2018), THE CAR STALLED AGAIN TWICE IN RAPID SUCCESSI…
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JUNE 2, 2018. PURCHASED A NEW 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK FROM MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND DROVE THE CAR HOME. THE NEXT DAY (JUNE 3, 2018), ON MY FIRST TRIP OUT TO RUN ERRANDS THE CAR STALLED AFTER GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AT SLOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT. THE NEXT DAY (JUNE 4, 2018), THE CAR STALLED AGAIN TWICE IN RAPID SUCCESSION UNDER SIMILAR CONDITIONS IN ANOTHER PARKING LOT. THE SAME DAY (JUNE 4, 2018), I DROVE THE CAR TO MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. SUBARU ENGINEERS EVALUATED A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON OTHER CROSSTREKS AND DETERMINED THAT THE ISSUE WAS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. 21 DAYS LATER I AM STILL WAITING FOR A REMEDY.
Official recalls
521V263000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.