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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 →

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

What owners actually said

194 reports
17,132 miles · May 21, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

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

NHTSA ODI #11325498

52,000 miles · May 5, 2020
Visibility/wiper

MY CAR SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN. IN THAT TIME, THE WINDSHIELD FORMED A CRACK STARTING AT THE BOTTOM NEAR THE HEAT VENT AND GOING UP INTO THE MAIN PART OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO IMPACT FROM A FOREIGN OBJECT, THE CRACK SEEMED TO FORM SPONTANEOUSLY AT SOME POINT DURING THE THREE DAYS I DI…

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MY CAR SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN. IN THAT TIME, THE WINDSHIELD FORMED A CRACK STARTING AT THE BOTTOM NEAR THE HEAT VENT AND GOING UP INTO THE MAIN PART OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO IMPACT FROM A FOREIGN OBJECT, THE CRACK SEEMED TO FORM SPONTANEOUSLY AT SOME POINT DURING THE THREE DAYS I DIDN'T DRIVE THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323446

40,247 miles · Apr 27, 2020
Service BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON 3/32/2018 AT A LOCAL DEALER FOR AN UNKNOWN BRAKE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 20 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED CRASHING INTO THE MEDIAN. THERE WER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON 3/32/2018 AT A LOCAL DEALER FOR AN UNKNOWN BRAKE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 20 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED CRASHING INTO THE MEDIAN. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RK SUBARU OF VINELAND (612 N DELSEA DR BUILDING 2, VINELAND, NJ 08360) WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, HE WAS AWAITING A CALLBACK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THIS DEALER SERVICED THE RECALL FOR THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,247.

NHTSA ODI #11322356

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2020
Visibility/wiper

IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS OF OWNING MY SUBARU CROSSTREK, I HAVE HAD THE WINDSHIELD CRACK TWICE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE FIRST TIME MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED, THERE WAS NO "POINT OF IMPACT" THAT I WAS ABLE TO DETECT AND THE WINDSHIELD STARTED TO CRACK NEAR THE HEATING VENT UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE SECOND TIME THE WINDSHIELD CR…

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IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS OF OWNING MY SUBARU CROSSTREK, I HAVE HAD THE WINDSHIELD CRACK TWICE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE FIRST TIME MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED, THERE WAS NO "POINT OF IMPACT" THAT I WAS ABLE TO DETECT AND THE WINDSHIELD STARTED TO CRACK NEAR THE HEATING VENT UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE SECOND TIME THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED, THERE AGAIN WAS NO "POINT OF IMPACT" DETECTED AND THE CRACK SEEMED TO START FROM THE TOP MOST PART OF THE WINDSHIELD RIGHT WHERE THE REARVIEW MIRROR WAS ATTACHED TO THE WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA ODI #11322355

34,000 miles · Apr 13, 2020
Visibility/wiper

TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY, VEHICLE IN MOTION WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WAS HIT BY SMALL ROCK FROM THE CAR TRAVELING IN FRONT OF ME. RESULTED IN SPIDER CRACK AND WITHIN 30 MINUTES A 10'+ CRACK. NORMAL WINDSHIELDS DO NOT CRACK THIS EASY.

NHTSA ODI #11321031

10,000 miles · Apr 12, 2020
Unknown Or Other

CRACKED WINDSHIELD LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11320908

10,000 miles · Apr 8, 2020
Visibility/wiper

I NOTICED THAT MY WINDSHIELD HAD A LARGE CRACK IN IT AFTER DRIVING INTO WORK ONE DAY WITHOUT ANY PRECIPITATING FACTORS (NO WRECK, NO HIT, NO ROCKS, ETC). IT WAS INITIALLY SMALL AND HAS QUICKLY INVOLVED TOP TO BOTTOM OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD

NHTSA ODI #11320602

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2020
Visibility/wiper

THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY AND A SMALL CRACK APPEARED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDOW. IT QUICKLY SPREAD ACROSS THE WINDOW.

NHTSA ODI #11318146

2,000 miles · Mar 14, 2020
Visibility/wiper

I PURCHASED MY 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK FROM HARVEY SUBARU IN BOSSIER CITY LA IN MARCH OF 2018. I CAN'T RECALL THE EXACT DATE, BUT THE CAR WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK AND THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE WARRANTY WAS HONORED AND THEY REPLACED THE SUNROOF WITH NO HASSLE. I ASSUME THEY WILL HAVE SERVICE RECORDS DETAILING THE INCIDENT. I…

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I PURCHASED MY 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK FROM HARVEY SUBARU IN BOSSIER CITY LA IN MARCH OF 2018. I CAN'T RECALL THE EXACT DATE, BUT THE CAR WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK AND THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE WARRANTY WAS HONORED AND THEY REPLACED THE SUNROOF WITH NO HASSLE. I ASSUME THEY WILL HAVE SERVICE RECORDS DETAILING THE INCIDENT. IT WAS IN THE SUMMER OF 2018 IF I RECALL CORRECTLY. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE WINDSHIELD ISSUES SUBARU IS HAVING BUT I FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO REPORT IT.

NHTSA ODI #11318034

8,000 miles · Mar 14, 2020
Visibility/wiper

WINDSHIELD CRACKED TWICE, ONCE A SMALL CRACK WHICH WAS REPAIRED AND SECOND TIME A LARGER CRACK WHICH NEEDED WINDSHIELD REPLACED. NO OBVIOUS CAUSES IN EITHER CASE

NHTSA ODI #11318003

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.