2013-2026 Subaru Crosstrek Problems: 23 Known Issues

2019 Crosstreks (along with various 2013-2020 Subarus) were built with Denso low-pressure in-tank fuel pumps whose plastic impeller absorbs fuel and swells. The swollen impeller binds against the pump body, causing rough running, no-start, and unexpected engine stalls at highway speed. The Crosstrek was not included in Subaru's fuel pump recalls (WRD-20 covered 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy and Ascent), but 2017-2020 Crosstreks are in the Cohen v. Subaru of America class settlement (D.N.J.), which provides an extended fuel pump warranty and reimbursement for past fuel pump repairs.

If the car is parked with the tank near full and the outside temperature rises significantly, fuel can expand up the filler neck and leak past an insufficient seal on the fuel cap. A fuel leak near an ignition source increases the risk of fire. Applies to: Certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid built June 26, 2025 to March 23, 2026 (also the 2025 Forester Hybrid). The gasoline-only Crosstrek is not listed. Check your VIN.

Subaru's recall report says there is too little clearance around the instrument panel harness, so it may contact the steering beam bracket, damaging the wire insulation and causing a short circuit. A short while driving may cause a loss of drive power without the ability to immediately restart the engine. Applies to: Certain 2024 Crosstrek built February 20 to June 6, 2023 (29,561 Crosstreks; also certain 2024 Impreza). Cars built after the June 6, 2023 production change have an added clamp. Check your VIN.

The second-generation Crosstrek's Starlink infotainment system (both 6.5-inch and 8.0-inch units) frequently freezes, goes blank, or becomes unresponsive to touch input. The system can reboot randomly while driving, temporarily disabling the backup camera and Bluetooth. Software bugs cause lag, delayed response to inputs, and Bluetooth connectivity drops. Subaru has released numerous over-the-air and dealer-applied software updates to address stability, but issues persist for many owners.

2018 Crosstrek models equipped with the Harman-built Gen 3.0 Starlink head unit suffer touchscreen freezes, backup-camera blackouts, audio that comes on at full volume, Bluetooth dropouts, and complete system lockups. Subaru settled a $6.25M class action (final approval 2020) covering 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek/Forester/Outback/Legacy/BRZ owners, extending the head-unit warranty to 5yr/100k.

Owners report the LED low beams have a very sharp cutoff and short reach, worst on hills, and dark squares or shadows in the beam that move with steering on cars with Steering Responsive Headlights. Some owners say the moving shadows look like an animal darting out, and one says this made them brake hard. Applies to: 2024-2025 Crosstrek (third generation) with LED headlights, per owner complaints filed with NHTSA.

The Lineartronic CVT (TR580) used in Crosstreks develops chain stretch over time, typically between 80,000-130,000 miles. The stretched chain causes slippage, resulting in judder during light acceleration, particularly between 20-45 mph. The issue worsens in cold weather and uphill conditions. Subaru extended CVT coverage on 2013-2015 Crosstreks to 10 years/100,000 miles under service bulletin 16-107-17R and released multiple software calibration updates. In severe cases, the CVT requires complete replacement.

Subaru of America recalled certain 2021 Crosstrek vehicles because an insufficient weld on the transmission inhibitor (park/neutral start interlock) switch can let water get inside the switch and cause it to fail. On the Crosstrek, that switch is what tells the vehicle the transmission has been shifted into reverse, so when it fails the reverse lights may not come on and the rearview camera image may not appear on the display when you back up. NHTSA considers this a crash risk because the driver loses the camera view behind the vehicle and other road users lose the visual cue that the car is reversing. The campaign covers 95,830 vehicles in total across all of the Subaru models included in it — that figure is campaign-wide and is not a Crosstrek-specific count.

The 2.0L FB20 engine in first-generation Crosstreks (2013-2017) shares the same oil consumption defect as the FB25 used in other Subaru models. Defective piston rings fail to maintain proper oil control, leading to oil burning at rates of 1 quart every 1,500-2,500 miles. Subaru covered this under an 8-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty extension through the Yaeger v. Subaru class-action settlement (2013 CVT and 2013-2015 manual Crosstreks below set VINs). The issue is most prevalent in 2013-2015 models.

2018-2021 Crosstrek 2.0L manual-transmission owners experience noticeable hesitation and lack of power in the 1500-3500 RPM range. Subaru TSB 09-77-21R (revised 8/19/21) traces it to the knock sensor misreading crankshaft vibration as detonation and retarding ignition timing. Fix is an ECM flash with model-year-specific .pak files via FlashWrite.

Certain 2019 Crosstreks were built with left-side rear door window glass that was not properly tempered during the glass manufacturing process, failing FMVSS 205. If the glass breaks, it can shatter into large dangerous fragments rather than safe pebble-sized pieces, increasing injury risk to rear-seat occupants. Recall WUG-92 issued June 2019.

2018-2019 Crosstreks painted in Sunshine Orange (Code AK) develop chips and clearcoat failure on the hood, A-pillars, and roof leading edge within the first few thousand miles. CarComplaints averages failure mileage at ~4,700 miles. Subaru issued TSB 12-256-19R (revised 05/30/19) providing paint repair procedures, covered under the 3-year new car warranty for affected vehicles.

Owners report EyeSight pre-collision braking or forward-collision warnings activating with no vehicle or obstacle ahead, including hard braking at highway speed. One owner reports being rear-ended after two such brake applications. Applies to: 2024-2025 Crosstrek (third generation) with EyeSight, per owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The finalized EyeSight class settlement covers 2015-2023 Crosstrek, not these years.

These vehicles were built with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label, so they do not comply with FMVSS 110, "Tire selection and rims." An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Applies to: Certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid (the recall also covers 2025-2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid and 2019-2026 Ascent). Check your VIN.

Subaru's recall report says the outer race of a front driveshaft may crack. Over time a cracked race could break, causing a loss of drive power, or letting the car roll when parked if the parking brake is not applied. Applies to: Certain 2024 Crosstrek built September 5-13, 2023 (2,862 Crosstreks), fitted with driveshafts from a supplier lot that was cooled incorrectly during heat treatment. The same recall covers certain 2024 Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester and 2023 WRX. Check your VIN.

Crosstreks are prone to premature wheel bearing failure, particularly on the rear wheels, often occurring between 50,000-90,000 miles. The AWD system places additional stress on wheel bearings. Contamination from road salt and water intrusion accelerates bearing wear. Failed wheel bearings create a humming or growling noise that changes with vehicle speed and may be louder during turns. If ignored, a severely worn bearing can cause wheel wobble and ABS/traction control malfunctions.

The 2024 bulletin provides enhanced EPS self-diagnosis software for C2531, C2532, U0122 and B2811. A 2024 owner reported lost steering assist and a car awaiting rack replacement, not a completed successful repair. Separately, a 2025 owner (ODI 11744713) reports a dealer diagnosis of C2532 and replacement of steering gear 34110FN03A. That is one reported outcome, not a universal fix. Applies to: 2024 Crosstrek with the documented EPS fault codes and a ROM ID covered by bulletin 04-29-23R. Production changes start at VIN R3756650 (Indiana) and RH321601 (Japan). The separate 2025 owner report does not extend that bulletin to 2025 or prove the same cause.

Owners report that after 30 to 60 minutes or more of highway driving the steering becomes sticky near center: it resists small corrections, then lets go, causing overcorrection. Several say no warning lights appear and dealers could not reproduce it on short drives. Applies to: 2024-2025 Crosstrek (third generation), per owner complaints filed with NHTSA. One owner reports it with lane centering and lane departure turned off; another reports it only in warmer weather.

Subaru's service bulletin addresses the driver side mirror glass vibrating at highway speeds, and notes a change in part supplier for left front mirror production. Owners report the vibration blurs the mirror image, and some 2025 owners report the vibration continued after the bulletin repair. Applies to: 2024-2025 Crosstrek (and 2024-2025 Impreza and Ascent) whose owners report driver side mirror glass vibration at highway speed.

Owners report the windshield cracking with no visible impact, or a small chip spreading into a long crack, sometimes in line with the EyeSight camera at the top of the glass. Applies to: 2018-2024 Crosstrek (second and third generations), per owner complaints filed with NHTSA.

Owners report the original Yokohama Geolandar 225/60R17 tires cracking or dry-rotting on the tread well before they wear out, and one reports a sidewall failure on the freeway. Applies to: 2024 Crosstrek fitted with original Yokohama Geolandar 225/60R17 tires, per owner complaints filed with NHTSA.

Owners report full-screen SiriusXM promotional messages appearing on the center touchscreen while driving, covering navigation, CarPlay and climate controls until the driver touches a close button. Subaru told The Drive these messages run about twice a year, around Memorial Day and Thanksgiving. Applies to: 2024-2025 Crosstrek (third generation) with the touchscreen infotainment system, per owner complaints filed with NHTSA.

The rear brake calipers on Crosstreks are prone to seizing, particularly in regions with road salt and wet climates. The caliper slide pins corrode and bind, causing the brake pads to drag on the rotor. This leads to premature pad and rotor wear on one side, reduced fuel economy, and a burning brake smell. If left unaddressed, the rotor can warp or the pads can wear down to metal, damaging the caliper.