YearToAvoid

2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

75/100

#2 most-complained of 5 XV CrossTrek years

The 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek ranks 2nd worst of 5 model years, with a complaint index of 75 and 97 complaints, mostly engine-related. NHTSA lists 2 recalls, including one for engine valve springs, and owners report engine fires and stalling. Verdict: Avoid, relative to other CrossTrek years.

Complaints
97
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
5 / 2
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
26.5
24 city / 30.5 hwy

Top 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek problems

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

  1. Engine38 (39%)
  2. Other21 (22%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain21 (22%)
  4. Electrical System17 (18%)
  5. Brakes9 (9%)
  6. Steering9 (9%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (7%)
  8. Fuel System5 (5%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers5 (5%)
  10. Airbags4 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report engines catching fire during highway driving, sometimes preceded by a check engine light about a week earlier.
  • Some describe the AC compressor catching fire while driving, filling the cabin with smoke and limiting visibility.
  • Several report sudden unintended acceleration while slowing down, leading to loss of control and collisions.
  • Power steering has been reported to cut out completely after short periods of cold-weather parking.
  • Owners note brakes feeling spongy or vibrating when the windshield wipers are used, along with steering that pulls to one side.
  • One owner reported a stall issue linked to a steering-related collision that required an entire engine replacement.
2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek complaints: complaints filed per quarter102014 Q12015 Q42018 Q22019 Q32020 Q42022 Q22024 Q32025 Q4
139 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q3 (10).

2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V772000Nov 1, 2018Engine165,534 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.

    Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.

  2. NHTSA 13V061000Feb 25, 2013Other47,419 vehicles

    Equipment

    Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

    Risk: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24 MPG
Highway
30.5 MPG
Combined
26.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,450
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.

2013 compared with other XV CrossTrek years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020132014201520162017
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Avoid7597226.5
2014Avoid10081028
2015Caution5078129

All Subaru XV CrossTrek years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek reliable?
Compared to other CrossTrek model years, 2013 ranks 2nd worst out of 5 years tracked, with a complaint index of 75 and 97 NHTSA complaints, most tied to the engine.
What is the top problem area for the 2013 XV CrossTrek?
Engine complaints account for 39% of all complaints (38 of 97), including reports of fires, with a median failure mileage of 72,000 miles.
Does the 2013 XV CrossTrek have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one from 2018 covering engine valve springs, and one from 2013 covering remote engine starter key fobs. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2013 XV CrossTrek compare to the 2014 model?
The 2014 model has a complaint index of 100, higher than the 2013 model's 75, but both carry an 'Avoid' verdict relative to other CrossTrek years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 XV CrossTrek?
EPA rates it at 26.5 mpg combined (24 city / 30.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,450.

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.