YearToAvoid

2020 Subaru Crosstrek Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

46/100

#8 most-complained of 14 Crosstrek years

The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek has a complaint index of 46, ranking 8th worst out of 14 model years, with a 'Good' verdict relative to other Crosstrek years. It has no recalls, and its top problem area is Visibility & Wipers, mostly windshield cracking.

Complaints
69
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
6 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
30
27 city / 33 hwy

Top 2020 Subaru Crosstrek problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Visibility & Wipers34 (49%)
  2. Electrical System11 (16%)
  3. Other9 (13%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain9 (13%)
  5. Engine7 (10%)
  6. Fuel System3 (4%)
  7. Structure & Body3 (4%)
  8. Brakes2 (3%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (3%)
  10. Seat Belts2 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners describe windshield cracks appearing early, sometimes starting from small rock chips and spreading several inches within hours or days.
  • Some report the windshield or moonroof shattering or cracking with very low mileage on the vehicle, in one case at 1,500 miles.
  • One owner reported unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, resulting in a crash into a fixed object.
  • Another owner described the vehicle rolling away after being shifted into park, with the key removed, and being unable to shift back into park.
  • A remote start installed before delivery caused a no-start condition just days after taking possession of the car.
  • One owner reported the brake pedal failing to stop the vehicle during a parking maneuver, followed by unintended acceleration into an obstacle.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek complaints: complaints filed per month6Jan 2020Aug 2020Mar 2021Nov 2021May 2022May 2023Feb 2025Mar 2026
82 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2020 to Sep 2026; peak May 2026 (6).

2020 Subaru Crosstrek recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2020 Subaru Crosstrek fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
33 MPG
Combined
30 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,150
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2020 compared with other Crosstrek years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Caution69194527
2019Avoid92284729
2020Good4669030
2021Avoid77115129.5
2022Good3131029

All Subaru Crosstrek years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Crosstrek has a complaint index of 46 and ranks 8th worst out of 14 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other Crosstrek years.
Does the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek?
Visibility & Wipers issues, mainly windshield cracking, make up 49% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 5,200 miles.
How does the 2020 Crosstrek compare to the 2019 and 2021 models?
The 2019 Crosstrek has a complaint index of 92 and an 'Avoid' verdict, and the 2021 Crosstrek has an index of 77 and an 'Avoid' verdict, both worse than the 2020's index of 46.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek?
The EPA rates the 2020 Crosstrek at 30 mpg combined (27 city/33 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.