YearToAvoid

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 14 Crosstrek years

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek ranks worst of 14 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 118 NHTSA complaints, 10 crashes, and 2 fires. It carries 2 recalls covering the front driveshaft and an electrical harness issue, giving it an 'Avoid' verdict relative to other Crosstrek years.

Complaints
118
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
10 / 2
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29
26 city / 33 hwy

Top 2024 Subaru Crosstrek problems

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

  1. Other34 (29%)
  2. Visibility & Wipers22 (19%)
  3. Electrical System21 (18%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (11%)
  5. Engine11 (9%)
  6. Brakes10 (8%)
  7. Steering10 (8%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (8%)
  9. Airbags4 (3%)
  10. Fuel System3 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners describe unexpected forward surging while braking or parking, in one case side-swiping a parked car.
  • Some drivers report brake pedal failing to respond in slippery conditions, leading to a loss of control.
  • Adaptive cruise control and pre-collision braking reportedly activate on their own, causing sudden hard braking or steering intervention without a real threat ahead.
  • One owner reported smoke and an under-hood fire shortly after an oil change, at 11,000 miles.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a T-bone collision at 35 mph.
  • One owner noted a delay in brake response during a turn that a dealer could not duplicate.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek complaints: complaints filed per month15Sep 2023Feb 2024Jul 2024Dec 2024May 2025Oct 2025Mar 2026Sep 2026
145 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2023 to Sep 2026; peak Nov 2025 (15).

2024 Subaru Crosstrek recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V754000Nov 9, 2023Transmission & Powertrain4,701 vehicles

    Power train:driveline:driveshaft

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.

    Risk: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRP-23.

  2. NHTSA 23V551000Aug 4, 2023Electrical System35,357 vehicles

    Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek and Impreza vehicles. Due to insufficient clearance, the instrument panel harness may contact the steering beam bracket, damaging the wire insulation and causing a short circuit.

    Risk: A short circuit may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the harness and install an additional clamp on the steering beam bracket. If damage is found, dealers will add protective tape or replace the instrument panel harness, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 3, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-23.

2024 Subaru Crosstrek fuel economy and fuel cost

City
26 MPG
Highway
33 MPG
Combined
29 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,250
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.

2024 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
2022Good3131029
2023Caution6234029.5
2024Avoid100118229
2025Avoid8543029

All Subaru Crosstrek years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
Among 14 model years of the Crosstrek tracked by NHTSA data, 2024 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 118 complaints, so it carries an 'Avoid' verdict relative to other years.
What are the most common problems with the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek?
The top problem area is Visibility & Wipers, accounting for 19% of complaints (22 total), followed by Electrical System issues at 18% (21 complaints) and Collision Avoidance & Cameras problems at 11% (13 complaints).
Does the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for cracking front driveshafts (campaign 23V754000) and one for an electrical harness that may contact the steering beam bracket (campaign 23V551000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2024 Crosstrek compare to the 2025 Crosstrek?
The 2025 Crosstrek has a complaint index of 85 and is also rated 'Avoid,' but the 2024 model has a higher complaint index of 100 and ranks as the worst year among the 14 tracked.
What is the fuel economy of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek?
The EPA rates the 2024 Crosstrek at 29 mpg combined (26 city / 33 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250.

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.