What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2018 Subaru Crosstrek

No clear pattern

17.3% of complaints about the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek arrived in its first year of service. That is an unusual figure for a 2018 vehicle, but with only 255 complaints on record the sample is too small to call it a pattern — the margin of error covers the range where ordinary vehicles sit. The figures below are reported without a verdict. The most-reported system is visibility / wipers (64 complaints), typically at 2.5 yr or about 20,000 miles.

Complaints
255
Median age at failure
3.1 yr
Median mileage
18,000 n=153
Crash / fire / tow
9% of reports
Safety recalls
5

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Visibility / wipers
64 reports · 20,000 mi
2.5 yr
0%
Other
41 reports · 18,000 mi
3.8 yr
7.3%
Electrical system
32 reports · 9,000 mi
4.0 yr
3.1%
Engine
32 reports · 5,700 mi
2.3 yr
12.5%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

21V263000 2021-04-15
Suspension:rear

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.

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

21V264000 2021-04-15
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.

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

19V743000 2019-10-18
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.

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

19V744000 2019-10-17
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)

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.

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

17V701000 2017-11-07
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.

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.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 50 mi 0 mo in service
PURCHASED NEW 2018 CROSSTREK WITH HARMAN KARDON PREMIUM AUDIO SYSTEM. AFTER ONE WEEK THERE WAS A CONSTANT STATIC BUZZ COMING FROM THE DOOR SPEAKER ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE, EVEN WHEN THE AUDIO SYSTEM WAS TURNED OFF. DEALER SAYS THAT THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE AMPLIFIER.
Electrical system 25 mi 0 mo in service
UPON STARTING THE CAR, THE RADIO BLARES AFTER A FEW SECONDS, WHEN BACKING UP, FOR INSTANCE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. ACCORDING TO SUBARU, THAT'S THE WAY IT'S DESIGNED. I THINK ITS A SAFETY HAZARD, AS THE FIRST MOMENTS WHEN DRIVING CAN REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION (WHEN BACKING UP, FOR INSTANCE), AND THE RADIO BLARING WITHOUT WARNING CAN BE DISCONCERTING AND JARRING. CAN THIS BE CONSIDERED A DESIGN FLAW, AND THE VEHICLES WITH THIS NEW SYSTEM RECALLED?
Electrical system 3,400 mi 4 mo in service
HEAD UNIT FREEZES. CANNOT ADJUST RADIO VOLUME OR CHANGE STATIONS. MUST SHUTDOWN VEHICLE FOR A FEW MINUTES TO ALLOW COMPUTER TO REBOOT. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS SITUATION OCCURS.
Other 200 mi 5 mo in service
THE CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD AND RECHARGED BY SUBARU ROADSIDE ASSIST. WE RAN THECARFOR 40 MINUTES. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. WE CALLED THE RYE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED THERE. THE PERSON WHO CHARGED THE BATTERY THE FIRST TIME TOLD US THAT SUBARU'S HAVING A LOT OF CALLS FORDEADBATTERIES BUT NOTADMITTING THERE'S A PROBLEM

Other Crosstrek model years

2024202120202019201820172016

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