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2018 Subaru Crosstrek

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Crosstrek years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek are substantially higher than the model-year median of 43.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

117 reports with mileage · 77 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

194 reports
40,000 miles · Jul 10, 2020
Visibility/wiper

MY CAR WAS PARKED APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES TODAY, FRIDAY JULY 10, 2020, FROM 9:15AM UNTIL 11:30AM. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR, THE WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE STARTING AT TOP OF WINDOW APPROXIMATELY 3 INCHES LONG. IT IS GOING UP AND DOWN ON THE WINDSHIELD, FROM THE TOP. I DID NOT HAVE A ROCK OR …

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MY CAR WAS PARKED APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES TODAY, FRIDAY JULY 10, 2020, FROM 9:15AM UNTIL 11:30AM. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR, THE WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE STARTING AT TOP OF WINDOW APPROXIMATELY 3 INCHES LONG. IT IS GOING UP AND DOWN ON THE WINDSHIELD, FROM THE TOP. I DID NOT HAVE A ROCK OR DEBRIS HIT MY WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. THE PARKING LOT IS NOT NEAR A ROADWAY OR WHERE IT COULD BE HIT BY DEBRIS.

NHTSA ODI #11338704

27,321 miles · Jul 9, 2020
Visibility/wiper

WINDSHIELD CRACK , WHICH IS LENGTHING. NOTICED WHILE DRIVING BUT DO NOT RECALL AN IINCIDENT WHICH COULD ACCOUNT FOR THIS DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11338449

25,000 miles · Jul 4, 2020
Visibility/wiper

THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WHILE STATIONARY IN OUR DRIVEWAY. THE CRACK IS VERTICAL LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE WINDOW FROM THE ROOFLINE TO ALMOST THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE LOCAL SUBARU SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THIS IS A PROBLEM THEY SEE OFTEN AND WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #11337468

19,500 miles · Jun 25, 2020
Unknown Or OtherVisibility

MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWICE AND CHIPPED OTHER TIMES, I BELIEVE IT TO BE DEFECTIVE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330879

30,000 miles · Jun 24, 2020
Visibility/wiper

A SMALL PIECE OF PEBBLE HIT MY WINDSHIELD ON THE HIGHWAY. NORMALLY, A SMALL PEBBLE SHOULD NOT MAKE SUCH A BIG DAMAGE, BUT IT CREATED SUCH A BIG CRACK IN THE WINDOW. INTERESTINGLY, IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, THERE IS THE SAME MAKE/MODEL CAR WITH THE SAME WINDOW CRACK. IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING TO SEE SUBARU TO HAVE LOW QUALITY WINDSHIELD…

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A SMALL PIECE OF PEBBLE HIT MY WINDSHIELD ON THE HIGHWAY. NORMALLY, A SMALL PEBBLE SHOULD NOT MAKE SUCH A BIG DAMAGE, BUT IT CREATED SUCH A BIG CRACK IN THE WINDOW. INTERESTINGLY, IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, THERE IS THE SAME MAKE/MODEL CAR WITH THE SAME WINDOW CRACK. IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING TO SEE SUBARU TO HAVE LOW QUALITY WINDSHIELD IN THEIR LATEST MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330476

42,000 miles · Jun 22, 2020
Visibility/wiper

WINDSHIELD GETS A MASSIVE CRACK OUT OF NOWHERE. VEHICLE WAS IN GARAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330227

200 miles · Jun 22, 2020
VisibilityVisibility/wiper

I HAVE HAD 6 ROCK CHIP SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. I DRIVE MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES TO AND FROM WORK. IT SEEMS ANY SLIGHTEST HIT TO THE WINDSHIELD WILL CAUSE A CHIP. IN ALL THE VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED OTHER THAN THIS I HAVE ONLY HAD 4. OUT OF 8 OTHER VEHICLE. I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT SOMETHING ISN'T CORRECT WITH HOW THEY MADE THIS W…

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I HAVE HAD 6 ROCK CHIP SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. I DRIVE MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES TO AND FROM WORK. IT SEEMS ANY SLIGHTEST HIT TO THE WINDSHIELD WILL CAUSE A CHIP. IN ALL THE VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED OTHER THAN THIS I HAVE ONLY HAD 4. OUT OF 8 OTHER VEHICLE. I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT SOMETHING ISN'T CORRECT WITH HOW THEY MADE THIS WINDSHIELD. MY 1981 AND 1986 SUBARU'S THAT I HAVE OWNED I NEVER GOT A CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD. AND I PUT MORE MILES ON THEM THAT MY CURRENT 2018 CROSSTREK. MY FIRST CHIP WAS AT ABOUT 200 MILES AND THEN FROM THERE JUST DOWN HILL. I DREAD THE SOUND OF SOMETHING HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. AT TIMES I AM AFRAID THE WINDSHIELD IS JUST GOING TO SHATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330048

45,000 miles · Jun 21, 2020
Visibility/wiper

WINSHIELD CRACK ABOUT 6 IN LONG FOR NO APPARENT REASON. CAR WAS PARKED. DAY TEMPERATURE WAS MILD, NOT EXTREMELY COLD OR HOT. IT'S GOING TO COST $600 TO REPLACE DUE TO EYESIGHT CALIBRATION. I GOT IT TEMPORARILY FIXED WITH RESIN. WINDSHIELD TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY DEBRIS OR FOREIGN OBJECT.

NHTSA ODI #11329927

22,000 miles · Jun 21, 2020
Visibility/wiper

WINDSHIELD CRACK APPEARED OVERNIGHT FROM ABOVE THE HEAT VENT.

NHTSA ODI #11329859

66,549 miles · Jun 19, 2020
Visibility/wiper

WE HAVE NOW HAD TO REPLACE OR REPAIR SIGNIFICANT CRACKS FROM SEEMINGLY SMALL ROCKS HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. THEY NEVER POCK THE WINDSHIELD BUT RATHER CAUSE LONG CRACKS TO APPEAR THAT CAN OBSCURE VISION OR THE VISUAL AID CAMERAS PROVIDED WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329788

Official recalls

5

21V263000 · Suspension:rear

Apr 15, 2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-21.

21V264000 · Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:software; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm):software; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Apr 15, 2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Electrical System:software

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.

Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm):software

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.

Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.

Electrical System:ignition

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.

Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.

Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.

19V743000 · Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:software

Oct 18, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.

Consequence: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.

Electrical System:ignition

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.

Consequence: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.

19V744000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Oct 17, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.

17V701000 · Service Brakes; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Nov 7, 2017

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Crosstrek vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect floor mat retention bracket, allowing the floor mat to move out of position and interfere with the accelerator or brake pedal operation.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the floor mat moves out of position and interferes with the accelerator or brake pedal operation, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mat retention bracket and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTR-77.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Crosstrek vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect floor mat retention bracket, allowing the floor mat to move out of position and interfere with the accelerator or brake pedal operation.

Consequence: If the floor mat moves out of position and interferes with the accelerator or brake pedal operation, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mat retention bracket and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTR-77.

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Crosstrek vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect floor mat retention bracket, allowing the floor mat to move out of position and interfere with the accelerator or brake pedal operation.

Consequence: If the floor mat moves out of position and interferes with the accelerator or brake pedal operation, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mat retention bracket and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTR-77.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.