Subaru Crosstrek Best and Worst Years (2012–2025)
Also listed as XV Crosstrek (2013–2015 name).
Avoid the 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2024 Subaru Crosstrek years, which carry the highest complaint indexes (77, 92, 85, and 100) and the most recalls. The 2013, 2014, and 2015 model years score lowest for complaints (indexes 23, 15, and 8) and are rated Best.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2018Avoid 2019Avoid 2021Avoid 2024Best 2013Best 2014Best 2015
- Model years
- 14
- 2012–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,174
- Recall campaigns
- 13
- Crashes reported
- 61
- Fires reported
- 16
- Top problem area
- Visibility & Wipers
Crosstrek Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Subaru Crosstrek problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | No verdict | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2013 | Best | 23 | 26 | 1 | 2 | 1 | Engine | — | — |
| 2014 | Best | 15 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2015 | Best | 8 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Engine | — | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 54 | 131 | 4 | 3 | 1 | Electrical System | — | 5★ |
| 2017 | Good | 38 | 94 | 5 | 2 | 1 | Visibility & Wipers | 27.5 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 77 | 194 | 10 | 1 | 5 | Visibility & Wipers | 27 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 92 | 284 | 6 | 3 | 7 | Visibility & Wipers | 29 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 62 | 69 | 6 | 0 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers | 30 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Avoid | 85 | 115 | 8 | 2 | 1 | Visibility & Wipers | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Good | 31 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers | 29 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Good | 46 | 34 | 4 | 0 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Avoid | 100 | 118 | 10 | 2 | 2 | Visibility & Wipers | 29 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 69 | 43 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers | 29 | 5★ |
Crosstrek years to avoid: what went wrong
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Index 100 · 118 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2024 Crosstrek has the highest complaint index of all years, 100, from 118 complaints and 2 recall campaigns. Visibility & wiper issues lead at 19% of complaints, with electrical system problems close behind at 18%. Owners report sudden forward surges while parking, brake pedals that failed to respond in snow, and adaptive cruise control taking unexpected control of acceleration and steering. Recalls cover front driveshaft outer races that may crack and break, and an instrument panel harness that may rub against the steering beam bracket and damage wire insulation.
2024 visibility & wipers problems →2024 electrical system problems →
2019 Subaru Crosstrek Index 92 · 284 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2019 Crosstrek shows the second-highest complaint index at 92, with 284 complaints and 7 recall campaigns, the most of any year. Visibility & wiper complaints make up 43% of the total. Owners describe vehicles rolling unexpectedly after being placed in park, sudden acceleration events, and brake failure during low-speed maneuvers, with median mileage at failure around 10,542 miles. Recalls cover the same ECM/ignition coil issue, rear stabilizer bracket bolts, and a rear seat belt locking mechanism that may not engage as intended.
2019 visibility & wipers problems →2019 electrical system problems →2019 engine problems →
2021 Subaru Crosstrek Index 85 · 115 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2021 Crosstrek carries a complaint index of 85 across 115 complaints and 1 recall campaign. Visibility & wiper issues account for 29% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 17% and electrical system issues at 15%. Owners report vehicles lurching or accelerating unexpectedly while parking, brake pedals that failed to stop the car, and one reported engine fire. Median mileage at failure across top problem areas ranged from about 1,300 to 27,000 miles. A recall addresses an inhibitor switch that can fail if water enters through an insufficient weld.
2021 visibility & wipers problems →2021 engine problems →2021 electrical system problems →
2018 Subaru Crosstrek Index 77 · 194 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2018 Crosstrek has a complaint index of 77 with 194 complaints and 5 recall campaigns. Visibility & wiper problems lead at 37% of complaints, followed by engine issues at 22% and electrical system problems at 19%. Owners report stalling at low speed, difficulty accelerating during turns, and brake pedals that failed to respond, with median mileage at failure around 18,000 miles overall. Two recalls cover an ECM issue that kept ignition coils powered after shutoff, and a third addresses rear stabilizer bracket bolts that can loosen and detach.
2018 visibility & wipers problems →2018 engine problems →2018 electrical system problems →
Most common Subaru Crosstrek problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Visibility & Wipers341 (29%)
- Other277 (24%)
- Electrical System228 (19%)
- Engine188 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain114 (10%)
- Steering58 (5%)
- Brakes56 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras54 (5%)
- Structure & Body52 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires43 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Subaru Crosstrek should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2024 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 77, 92, 85, and 100 respectively, the highest among all 14 model years covered.
- What is the best year for the Subaru Crosstrek?
- The 2013, 2014, and 2015 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes of 23, 15, and 8, the lowest in the lineup.
- Is the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek reliable based on complaints?
- The 2019 Crosstrek has the second-highest complaint index at 92, with 284 complaints and 7 recall campaigns, more recalls than any other Crosstrek year.
- What is the most common problem area for the Subaru Crosstrek overall?
- Across all years covered, Visibility & Wipers issues account for 341 complaints, 29% of the total, the largest problem area, ahead of Electrical System at 19% and Engine at 16%.
- Does the Subaru Crosstrek have any recall-related concerns?
- NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns across the Crosstrek's 2012-2025 model years, none of them classified as do-not-drive recalls, but covering issues like ECM/ignition coil faults, stabilizer bolts, seat belts, and driveshaft cracks.