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2013 Subaru Xv Crosstrek

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Subaru Xv Crosstrek do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 78.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

52 reports with mileage · 44 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.

  • Engine. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

19 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2026
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or Other

Within 10 days of purchasing this vehicle a certified Subaru dealership documented the following safety defects. Both front CV axles failing and clicking on turns creating loss of vehicle control risk. EPS electronic power steering fault codes creating safety critical steering concern. CAN bus communication fault U0073 affecting…

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Within 10 days of purchasing this vehicle a certified Subaru dealership documented the following safety defects. Both front CV axles failing and clicking on turns creating loss of vehicle control risk. EPS electronic power steering fault codes creating safety critical steering concern. CAN bus communication fault U0073 affecting multiple vehicle safety systems simultaneously. CVT transmission fluid critically low at 1 to 2 quarts. These defects were professionally documented by Subaru of Portland certified technicians on [XXX] at 113,494 miles. Repair quote for safety related defects totals $7,516.51. Vehicle was sold by Overland Automotive LLC 2900 SE Cornelius Pass Rd Ste 105 Hillsboro OR 97123 with these defects undisclosed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11723030

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2024
Unknown Or Other

A piece of the sunroof assembly punctured through the headliner into the passenger seat area of the vehicle. The piece is a sharp 10 inch spike with a spring wrapped around it. Had the piece come into the driver side or if there had been a passenger. It would have gone into there head, either causing an accident or severe in…

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A piece of the sunroof assembly punctured through the headliner into the passenger seat area of the vehicle. The piece is a sharp 10 inch spike with a spring wrapped around it. Had the piece come into the driver side or if there had been a passenger. It would have gone into there head, either causing an accident or severe injury to the driver or passenger.

NHTSA ODI #11625488

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2024
Unknown Or Other

The key will not come out of the ignition when turned off and in park. The battery runs with no way to turn it off. This is a known issue with a defective part. Subaru will not cover the repair.

NHTSA ODI #11617167

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

Driving on the freeway my car lost power i pulled off to the side and tried to restart it. As I have the ignition turned over for 30 to 40 seconds the starter sounded erratic and the oil temperature light was flashing. I sat there for about ten minutes and tried again and it did the same thing but it started. This power loss ha…

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Driving on the freeway my car lost power i pulled off to the side and tried to restart it. As I have the ignition turned over for 30 to 40 seconds the starter sounded erratic and the oil temperature light was flashing. I sat there for about ten minutes and tried again and it did the same thing but it started. This power loss has happened twice. The erratic noise coming from the ignition, and the hesitation of starting is a regular ongoing issue along with the oil temperature light. Since the first stall at about 117000 miles on the odometer the car has been burning oil at a rate of a full quart about every 3000 miles. #2 Around 120000 miles my key wouldn't come out of the ignition. This happened first on a late night in a high crime area. I actually had to leave my keys in my ignition while going into a gas station to pay for fuel. Since then this happens every time I turn off my vehicle and put it into the park position. Usually I have to wait around ten minutes to be able to remove the keys. Both of these issues cause a great deal of anxiety on the freeway or having to leave the key in the ignition.

NHTSA ODI #11498204

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Unable to turn off vehicle and remove key from ignition when vehicle is in park.

NHTSA ODI #11479063

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2022
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Unable to remove key from Ignition when placed in Park

NHTSA ODI #11454804

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2021
Unknown Or Other

The key will not come out of the ignition when the vehicle is in park. Sometimes it has to sit a few minutes before I can remove it. Sometimes it has to sit for many hours before I can remove it. I've been dealing with it for 10 months.

NHTSA ODI #11420201

79,000 miles · May 2, 2021
Unknown Or Other

I CAN"T REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN PARK. THIS ISSUE WARRANTS A RECALL. THIS IS CAUSED BY PROBLEMS WITH THE PARK-RANGE SWITCH ACROSS SEVERAL SUBARU MODELS FROM 2012-2018. SUBARU ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN 16-112-18R REGARDING THIS ON 3/15/18. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE BY OWNERS, DEALERSHIPS AND SUB…

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I CAN"T REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN PARK. THIS ISSUE WARRANTS A RECALL. THIS IS CAUSED BY PROBLEMS WITH THE PARK-RANGE SWITCH ACROSS SEVERAL SUBARU MODELS FROM 2012-2018. SUBARU ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN 16-112-18R REGARDING THIS ON 3/15/18. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE BY OWNERS, DEALERSHIPS AND SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA). NUMEROUS CAR FORUMS AND BLOGS ADDRESS OWNERS' STEPS TO GET THIS REPAIRED. THE SOLUTIONS OFFERED BY THE DEALERS RANGE FROM ' YOUR CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT WILL RUN HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX' TO ' YES THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BRING IT IN AND WE WILL REPLACE IT NO CHARGE'. SOA'S RESPONSE TO OWNERS VARIED FROM 'WE WILL TAKE CARE IT TO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF WE CAN HELP YOU OUT'. MY DEALER'S RESPONSE WAS '$700 TO REPAIR ' YOU MIGHT CALL SOA TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP OUT.' I DID CALL SOA AND THEY TOLD ME TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER AND LET THEM KNOW WHEN IT WAS ' BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY HELP ON THE COST AT THAT POINT. IT DOES APPEAR THAT SOA WILL COVER THE COST BUT YOU MAY NOT BE TOLD THAT INITIALLY. FORTUNATELY/UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS A QUICK FIX EASILY FOUND ONLINE THAT YOU CAN DO IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES BY DISCONNECTING THE SWITCH TO THE IGNITION. THIS SOLVES THE PROBLEM OF THE STUCK KEY BUT ALSO DISABLES THE CHIME IF YOU LEAVE THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND ALSO ALLOWS YOU TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IF THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK. SO NOW, IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL, YOU CAN LOCK YOUR KEYS IN THE CAR AND IF THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK OR THE HAND BREAK IS NOT ENGAGED YOUR CAR WILL ROLL AWAY. I HAVE DONE THE QUICK FIX ' BUT EVEN WITH ALL SORTS OF WAYS TO HELP ME REMEMBER I AM NOT COMFORTABLE.. THIS IS A SAFTEY ISSUE. WHEN I MENTIONED THE FIX TO SOA AS CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE THEY SAID THAT WAS MY PROBLEM NOT THEIRS. REALLY? MY CAR IS S 2013 AND I WILL NOT COMMIT TO $700 AT THE DEALER WITHOUT KNOWING IF SOA WILL PAY.

NHTSA ODI #11414795

49,900 miles · Sep 14, 2020
EngineSuspensionUnknown Or Other

TVEHICLE BOUNCES EVEN WHEN GOING OVER SMOOTH ROADS. ENGINE SEEM TRY TO STALL WHILE IDLED IN DRIVE MODE. ROUGH STARTING OF VEHICLE MAKES NOISES UNTIL WARMS. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 55,000 MILES

NHTSA ODI #11354846

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2020
Unknown Or Other

THE KEY GETS STUCK AND I CAN'T GET IT OUT I HAVE LOOKED THIS UP AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11341371

Official recalls

2

18V772000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Nov 1, 2018

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.

13V061000 · Electrical System; Equipment

Feb 25, 2013

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Equipment

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Electrical System

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

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.