Which Jeep Wrangler years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2024 as Wrangler years to avoid, based on complaint index scores of 93, 87, 80, and 100 respectively relative to other Wrangler years.

Which Subaru Crosstrek years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2019, 2021, 2024, and 2025 as Crosstrek years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 92, 77, 100, and 85 relative to other Crosstrek years.

Does the Wrangler or Crosstrek have more complaints?

The Wrangler has far more total complaints (10,204 vs 1,174) and more recalls (60 vs 13), but these totals are not adjusted for how many of each model were sold.

How do fuel costs compare between the two?

The Wrangler averages 18.8 MPG combined with fuel costs as high as $3,800 a year in some model years, while the Crosstrek averages 28.8 MPG combined with fuel costs as low as $2,150 a year.

What are the top complaint areas for each model?

Wrangler owners report steering (28%), electrical system (24%), and engine (23%) issues most often. Crosstrek owners report visibility and wiper issues (29%), electrical system (19%), and engine (16%) issues most often.

Jeep Wrangler vs Subaru Crosstrek: Which Years to Avoid

Jeep Wrangler owners filed 10,204 complaints across 16 model years (638 per year average) with 60 recall campaigns; Subaru Crosstrek owners filed 1,174 complaints across 14 years (84 per year) with 13 recalls. Wrangler years to avoid are 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024; Crosstrek years to avoid are 2019, 2021, 2024, 2025. Totals aren't sales-normalized, and Wrangler's 18.8 combined MPG trails Crosstrek's 28.8.

Head to head

Jeep Wrangler

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 10,204
Per model year: 638
Recall campaigns: 60
Years to avoid: 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024
Best years: 2011, 2015, 2017, 2025
Top problem area: Steering
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 18.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: —

Subaru Crosstrek

Model years: 2012–2025 (14)
NHTSA complaints: 1,174
Per model year: 84
Recall campaigns: 13
Years to avoid: 2019, 2021, 2024, 2025
Best years: 2013, 2014, 2015
Top problem area: Visibility & Wipers
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 28.8
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	Wrangler				Crosstrek
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Good	685	10	17	—	—	—	—
2011	Best	485	10	17	—	—	—	—
2012	Caution	834	9	18	No verdict	2	0	—
2013	Good	650	6	18	Best	26	1	—
2014	Good	654	4	18	Best	16	1	—
2015	Best	472	3	18	Best	17	1	—
2016	Good	460	5	18	Caution	131	1	—
2017	Best	309	5	18	Good	94	1	27.5
2018	Avoid	1,820	14	18	Caution	194	5	27
2019	Caution	741	9	20	Avoid	284	7	29
2020	Caution	609	12	20.5	Good	69	0	30
2021	Avoid	934	15	20.5	Avoid	115	1	29.5
2022	Caution	396	15	20.5	Good	31	0	29
2023	Avoid	364	14	20.5	Caution	34	0	29.5
2024	Avoid	725	11	19.5	Avoid	118	2	29
2025	Best	66	4	20	Avoid	43	0	29

Complaint Index by year

Jeep Wrangler

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

Subaru Crosstrek

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

Frequently asked questions

Which Jeep Wrangler years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2024 as Wrangler years to avoid, based on complaint index scores of 93, 87, 80, and 100 respectively relative to other Wrangler years.
Which Subaru Crosstrek years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2019, 2021, 2024, and 2025 as Crosstrek years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 92, 77, 100, and 85 relative to other Crosstrek years.
Does the Wrangler or Crosstrek have more complaints?: The Wrangler has far more total complaints (10,204 vs 1,174) and more recalls (60 vs 13), but these totals are not adjusted for how many of each model were sold.
How do fuel costs compare between the two?: The Wrangler averages 18.8 MPG combined with fuel costs as high as $3,800 a year in some model years, while the Crosstrek averages 28.8 MPG combined with fuel costs as low as $2,150 a year.
What are the top complaint areas for each model?: Wrangler owners report steering (28%), electrical system (24%), and engine (23%) issues most often. Crosstrek owners report visibility and wiper issues (29%), electrical system (19%), and engine (16%) issues most often.