2023 Subaru Crosstrek Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
62/100
#6 most-complained of 14 Crosstrek years
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek has a Complaint Index of 62, ranking 6th worst out of 14 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Top problem area is Visibility & Wipers (7 complaints, 21% share), with no recalls filed and no do-not-drive recalls.
- Complaints
- 34
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29.5
- 27.5 city / 33.5 hwy
Top 2023 Subaru Crosstrek problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other11 (32%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (21%)
- Electrical System6 (18%)
- Engine6 (18%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (15%)
- Brakes4 (12%)
- Lane Departure3 (9%)
- Airbags2 (6%)
- Structure & Body2 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (6%)
What owners report
- Owners describe windshields cracking or pitting spontaneously with no rock strike, sometimes within days or a few thousand miles of purchase.
- One owner reported the vehicle continued to accelerate while parking at 20 MPH despite braking, resulting in a crash into a wall around 4,000 miles.
- A driver reported hydroplaning on a wet bridge, colliding with a guardrail on both sides, with airbags not deploying and the seatbelt coming unlatched.
- An owner reported the driver seat heating up on its own without the heated-seat function activated, described as uncomfortably hot while driving.
- Some owners reported the engine auto stop/start feature restarting the engine unexpectedly when the seatbelt was unbuckled or a door opened, even with brakes applied.
- One owner reported an electrical shock when attempting to pair a device with the vehicle's system.
2023 Subaru Crosstrek recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2023 Subaru Crosstrek fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27.5 MPG
- Highway
- 33.5 MPG
- Combined
- 29.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,200
- 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.
2023 compared with other Crosstrek years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2023 Crosstrek a Complaint Index of 62 and a Caution verdict, ranking 6th worst among 14 model years of the Crosstrek. It has no recalls on file.
- What is the most common problem with the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek?
- Visibility & Wipers issues are the top complaint category, making up 21% of complaints (7 of 34), mostly involving windshield cracking.
- Does the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek have any recalls?
- No. NHTSA lists zero recalls and zero do-not-drive recalls for the 2023 Crosstrek.
- How does the 2023 Crosstrek compare to other years?
- Its Complaint Index of 62 is lower than 2019 (92), 2021 (77), 2024 (100), and 2025 (85), all rated Avoid, but higher than years like 2013-2015 and 2022, which rank as Best or Good.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek?
- EPA rates it at 29.5 mpg combined (27.5 city, 33.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,200.