IllustrationMY WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND SPIDERED OUT WAS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Crosstrek years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
730–25K
2725–50K
1350–75K
475–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
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 reportsDROVE FROM WORK TO HOME. LEFT PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AS IT ALWAYS IS.HUSBAND WENT TO GET IN IT LATER AND CAME AND ASKED WHAT HAPPENED. THE CRACK WAS NOT THERE WHEN I GOT HOME. IT HAPPENED IN THE DRIVE WAY, WITHIN A COUPLE OF HOURS OF BEING HOME. THIS IS CONCERNING AS THE CRACK IS NOW RUNNING INTO OUR NAVIGATION SITES, SO THE CA…
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DROVE FROM WORK TO HOME. LEFT PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AS IT ALWAYS IS.HUSBAND WENT TO GET IN IT LATER AND CAME AND ASKED WHAT HAPPENED. THE CRACK WAS NOT THERE WHEN I GOT HOME. IT HAPPENED IN THE DRIVE WAY, WITHIN A COUPLE OF HOURS OF BEING HOME. THIS IS CONCERNING AS THE CRACK IS NOW RUNNING INTO OUR NAVIGATION SITES, SO THE CAR GIVES OFF INCORRECT READING, NOT PICKING UP THE WHITE LINES OR DISABLING THE SIGHT DETECTION, USUALLY ONLY STAYS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL A FEW MINUTES THEN RETURNS TO NORMAL. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT OR INSURANCE CLAIM FILED. I AM UNABLE TO GET A PICTURE TO UPLOAD. I CANNOT GET THEM ANY SMALLER THAN 6.2 MB. I HAVE THEM IF NEEDED.
SINCE I BOUGHT THE SUBARU CROSS I HAVE ENCOUNTER MULTIPLE PAINT CHIPPING IN THE BODY AND HAD A WINDSHIELD CRACK AND PAID OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE SAFELITE REPAIR THE WINDOW.
CRACKING AND CHIPPING OF WINDSHIELD
THE WINDSHIELD CHIPPED FOR NO REASON. THEN IT SPREAD A CRACK ACROSS THE PASSENGER TO THE DRIVER SIDE. IT WAS PARKED IN A SAFE PLACE AND I DID NOT DRIVE IT AT ALL SINCE I WORKED FROM HOME.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM CENTER OF BOTTOM EDGE WITHOUT CONTACT FROM ANY OBJECT. CRACK APPEARED IN THE MORNING WHEN I WENT TO START MY 2018 CROSSTREK.
A VERY SMALL SURFACE CHIP ON THE OUTER PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD (BLACK AREA, DRIVER'S SIDE) DEVELOPED INTO AN APPROXIMATELY TWO FOOT LONG HORIZONTAL CRACK ACROSS THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK DEVELOPED OVER A PERIOD OF THREE WEEKS DURING WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED NEAR LEFT COLUMN WHILE DRIVING WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF BUYING THE BRAND NEW CAR. THERE WERE NO ROCKS OR OTHER OBVIOUS SIGNS OF DAMAGE. CRACK SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD AND TOOK 4+ MONTHS TO GET REPLACED DUE TO NOT ENOUGH EXTRA WINDSHIELDS IN THE AREA.
CAR WAS PARKED IN A CAR PORT UNDER A CONDO AT THE BEACH NO BAD STORMS NO BAD WEATHER CAME BACK THE NEXT MORNING TO A CHIP NOW WALKED 4 TO 5 INCHES.
ON JUNE 30, 2018, I WAS DRIVING MY 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK LIMITED EDITION ON A CITY STREET. I HEARD A NOISE WHILE DRIVING BUT KEPT DRIVING SINCE I WAS JUST BLOCKS AWAY TO WORK. I PARKED IN THE MONITORED PARKING LOT AND VISUALLY LOOKED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MY CAR FOR SOME INDICATION OF WHERE THE NOISE CAME FROM, INCLUDING THE WINDSH…
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ON JUNE 30, 2018, I WAS DRIVING MY 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK LIMITED EDITION ON A CITY STREET. I HEARD A NOISE WHILE DRIVING BUT KEPT DRIVING SINCE I WAS JUST BLOCKS AWAY TO WORK. I PARKED IN THE MONITORED PARKING LOT AND VISUALLY LOOKED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MY CAR FOR SOME INDICATION OF WHERE THE NOISE CAME FROM, INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. I SAW NO CRACKS TO THE WINDSHIELD OR OTHER AREA OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS HOT OUTSIDE (90'S).I WENT IN TO WORK. WHEN I GOT OFF WORK I WENT OUT TO MY CAR. I GOT INSIDE MY CAR, IMMEDIATELY NOTICING A 6-8 INCH LONG CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. I WENT HOME IN SHOCK ABOUT THE LARGE CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. I LATER CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AND WAS TOLD MY DEDUCTIBLE AND TO CALL AROUND TO FIND QUOTES ON REPLACEMENT. I WAS TOLD BY ALL THE AUTO SHOPS INCLUDING MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD WOULD NEED REPLACED BUT THE CAR WAS SO NEW THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS IN STOCK AND DIDN'T KNOW HOW LONG IT WOULD BE SINCE THE CAR WAS SO NEW. I DIDN'T GET THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED .I FELT THAT SUBARU SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A NEW WINDSHIELD AS THE CAR WAS ONLY PURCHASED NEW 9 MONTHS BEFORE. I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GO THROUGH MY INSURANCE AT THE TIME AND I WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL DEALER THAT SUBARU DID NOT COVER THE WINDSHIELD IN THE WARRANTY ON THE CAR. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THE DEFECT OF THE WINDSHIELD PREVENTS THE SAFE AND PROPER OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SUBARU'S EYESIGHT SAFETY SYSTEM, INTENDED TO PREVENT COLLISIONS, IS ATTACHED TO THE INSIDE OF THE UPPER WINDSHIELD. I DID RESEARCH ONLINE AT THE TIME IF OTHER OWNERS HAD COMPLAINTS, BUT THE CAR WAS SO NEW I ONLY FOUND ONE. NOW, A SEARCH REVEALS MANY COMPLAINTS OF DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS AND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. I WORRY ABOUT MY SAFETY STILL AND I BELIEVE SUBARU SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD.*DT*JB
Official recalls
521V263000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.