Avoid: 2021, 2019, 2018, 2016 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2013 · Best recent: 2022
9 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 12 model years, the Subaru Crosstrek has 1,404 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 19 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are visibility/wiper and electrical system. 2019 drew the most complaints (284), 2013 the fewest of the years on the road 3+ years (26).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Subaru Crosstrek vehicles (US, public record). Typical used asking price $15,300–$24,199.
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
Highest: 2019 (284 complaints). Lowest: 2013 (26).
Mixed to positive sentiment overall, with a strong reputation for practicality, safety, and all-weather capability.
Described as weak, sluggish, and struggling with highway merging and passing. Owners recommend the 2.5L.
Reliability worries beyond 100,000 miles, recommendations for strict fluid change intervals (every 60k miles), laggy throttle response.
Touchscreen response delays, slow menu navigation, system freezes requiring restart. Climate controls integrated into touchscreen criticized.
Described as an "Achilles' heel" of Subaru vehicles, prone to chips and cracks.
Primarily reported in older models (pre-2015), but concerns persist for later FB-series engines.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Crosstrek. Individual model years are broken down above.
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