Which years of the Subaru Crosstrek should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2024 as Avoid years for the Crosstrek, with 2019 hitting a complaint index of 92 and 2024 hitting 100, the highest in the lineup.

Which years of the GMC Acadia should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2008, 2009, 2014, 2017, and 2019 as Avoid years for the Acadia. The 2008 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 with 854 complaints and 5 recalls.

Which model has more complaints and recalls overall?

The GMC Acadia has 5,551 total complaints and 37 recall campaigns over 19 model years, versus 1,174 complaints and 13 recalls over 14 model years for the Crosstrek. Totals are not normalized for sales, so this is not a direct reliability comparison.

How do fuel economy figures compare?

The Crosstrek averages 28.8 mpg combined across its lineup while the Acadia averages 20.3 mpg combined. Individual Acadia annual fuel costs range as high as $3,700, compared to a high of $2,425 for the Crosstrek.

Are there any years with no Good or Best verdict for either model?

Both models have years earning Best or Good verdicts, per the data: Crosstrek's 2013, 2014, and 2015 are listed as Best years, and Acadia's 2013, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024 are listed as Best years.

Subaru Crosstrek vs GMC Acadia: Which Years to Avoid

Subaru Crosstrek logs 1,174 total complaints across 14 model years (84 per year) with 13 recall campaigns; GMC Acadia logs 5,551 complaints across 19 model years (292 per year) with 37 recalls. Crosstrek to avoid: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024. Acadia to avoid: 2008, 2009, 2014, 2017, 2019.

Head to head

Subaru Crosstrek

Model years: 2012–2025 (14)
NHTSA complaints: 1,174
Per model year: 84
Recall campaigns: 13
Years to avoid: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024
Best years: 2013, 2014, 2015
Top problem area: Visibility & Wipers
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 28.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

GMC Acadia

Model years: 2007–2025 (19)
NHTSA complaints: 5,551
Per model year: 292
Recall campaigns: 37
Years to avoid: 2008, 2009, 2014, 2017, 2019
Best years: 2013, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 20.3
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Crosstrek				Acadia
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2007	—	—	—	—	Caution	428	5	18.5
2008	—	—	—	—	Avoid	854	5	18.5
2009	—	—	—	—	Avoid	331	7	19
2010	—	—	—	—	Caution	343	4	19
2011	—	—	—	—	Caution	269	5	19
2012	No verdict	2	0	—	Caution	296	5	19
2013	Best	26	1	—	Best	135	3	18.5
2014	Best	16	1	—	Avoid	462	6	18.5
2015	Best	17	1	—	Good	243	4	19
2016	Caution	131	1	—	Good	236	4	17.5
2017	Good	94	1	27.5	Avoid	703	4	20.5
2018	Avoid	194	5	27	Caution	395	2	22
2019	Avoid	284	7	29	Avoid	386	2	21.5
2020	Caution	69	0	30	Best	104	6	23
2021	Avoid	115	1	29.5	Good	149	2	23
2022	Good	31	0	29	Best	49	3	23
2023	Good	34	0	29.5	Best	43	4	23
2024	Avoid	118	2	29	Best	60	0	22
2025	Caution	43	0	29	Good	65	0	22

Complaint Index by year

Subaru Crosstrek

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

GMC Acadia

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which years of the Subaru Crosstrek should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2024 as Avoid years for the Crosstrek, with 2019 hitting a complaint index of 92 and 2024 hitting 100, the highest in the lineup.
Which years of the GMC Acadia should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2008, 2009, 2014, 2017, and 2019 as Avoid years for the Acadia. The 2008 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 with 854 complaints and 5 recalls.
Which model has more complaints and recalls overall?: The GMC Acadia has 5,551 total complaints and 37 recall campaigns over 19 model years, versus 1,174 complaints and 13 recalls over 14 model years for the Crosstrek. Totals are not normalized for sales, so this is not a direct reliability comparison.
How do fuel economy figures compare?: The Crosstrek averages 28.8 mpg combined across its lineup while the Acadia averages 20.3 mpg combined. Individual Acadia annual fuel costs range as high as $3,700, compared to a high of $2,425 for the Crosstrek.
Are there any years with no Good or Best verdict for either model?: Both models have years earning Best or Good verdicts, per the data: Crosstrek's 2013, 2014, and 2015 are listed as Best years, and Acadia's 2013, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024 are listed as Best years.