IllustrationTHE WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED 2 LARGE CRACKS THAT HINDER THE VISIBILITY ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THE CRACKS DEVELOPED OVER APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS WHILE PARKED.
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 reportsI WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR BRAND NEW, AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ABOUT HALFWAY UP. I REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD ONLY TO HAVE IT CRACK IN THE SAME SPOT 3 MONTHS LATER.
WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING MY BRAND NEW 2019 CROSSTREK MY WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED TWO VERY LARGE CRACKS ACROSS IT.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHIN 30 TO 45 DAYS OF PURCHASE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAD A SECOND CRACK LESS THAN A YEAR LATER
OCT 2017, STONE CHIP PASSENGER VIOLENTLY CRACKED NEXT MORNING WHEN DEFROSTER WAS RUN TO DEFOG FRONT WINDOW. CAR WAS STATIONARY.
2018 CROSSTREK WITH 3000MI, GOT INTO CAR EARLY COLD MORNING 1/2018, TURNED ON DEFROSTER WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE STOPPED. NO "TRAUMA," NO ROCKS, NO ACCIDENTS. CROSSTREK WITH EYESIGHT DRIVER ASSIST PACKAGE, HAD TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD AND RECALIBRATE EYESIGHT. A REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE. WINDSHIELD C…
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2018 CROSSTREK WITH 3000MI, GOT INTO CAR EARLY COLD MORNING 1/2018, TURNED ON DEFROSTER WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE STOPPED. NO "TRAUMA," NO ROCKS, NO ACCIDENTS. CROSSTREK WITH EYESIGHT DRIVER ASSIST PACKAGE, HAD TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD AND RECALIBRATE EYESIGHT. A REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE. WINDSHIELD COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, ONLY REPLACED, DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF EYESIGHT. TWO DAYS FOR REPAIR, LOANER CAR PROVIDED.
INTERMITTENT JERKY ACCELERATION COMBINED WITH A SIGNIFICANT LOSS IN POWER DURING MODEST ACCELERATION. AT TIMES I GET NO ACCELERATION WHILE THE CAR JERKS BETWEEN 2,000 & 3,000 RPM. THIS IS UNPREDICTABLE AS TO WHEN IT MIGHT HAPPEN BUT OCCURS AT ENGINE SPEEDS UNDER 3,000 RPM REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE SPEED OR GEAR SELECTED. MY INITIAL …
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INTERMITTENT JERKY ACCELERATION COMBINED WITH A SIGNIFICANT LOSS IN POWER DURING MODEST ACCELERATION. AT TIMES I GET NO ACCELERATION WHILE THE CAR JERKS BETWEEN 2,000 & 3,000 RPM. THIS IS UNPREDICTABLE AS TO WHEN IT MIGHT HAPPEN BUT OCCURS AT ENGINE SPEEDS UNDER 3,000 RPM REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE SPEED OR GEAR SELECTED. MY INITIAL IMPRESSION WAS THAT IT IS MOST FREQUENT WHEN RESUMING DRIVING AFTER HAVING STOPPED FOR A SHORT PERIOD WHICH WAS PRECEDED BY PROLONGED HIGH SPEED DRIVING. NOW IT SEEMS IT CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME. MAY BE RELATED TO OUR HIGH AMBIENT TEMPS THIS TIME OF YEAR. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ON THIS FORUM. HTTPS://WWW.SUBARUXVFORUM.COM/THREADS/HESITATION-WHILE-MODEST-ACCELERATING.163650/ I TOOK IT TO MY SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THEY SAID THEY WERE ABLE TO REPRODUCE WHAT I DESCRIBE AND SAY IT IS "NORMAL". I HAVE OWNED 7 MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES PRIOR TO THIS ONE AND CAN SAY IT IS ANYTHING BUT NORMAL. "NORMAL" APPARENTLY MEANS IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THERE'S NOTHING MY DEALER CAN DO ABOUT IT.
SMALL PEBBLE HIT WINDSHIELD. NOT MOVING AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. NOW WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TURNED OFF (COMPUTERS AND ALL). THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS BEING TURNED OFF (FROM GOING ABOUT 75) BECAUSE I WAS APPROACHING TRAFFIC AND IT JUST TURNED OFF. BRAKES STILL WORKED AND I GOT ON THE SHOULDER. THEN WHEN TRYING TO TURN IT BACK ON, IT WOULD HAVE VER…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TURNED OFF (COMPUTERS AND ALL). THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS BEING TURNED OFF (FROM GOING ABOUT 75) BECAUSE I WAS APPROACHING TRAFFIC AND IT JUST TURNED OFF. BRAKES STILL WORKED AND I GOT ON THE SHOULDER. THEN WHEN TRYING TO TURN IT BACK ON, IT WOULD HAVE VERY STRANGE NOISE LIKE AN OLD FAN OR CLUNKING. I WOULD PRESS MY ACCELERATOR ALL THE WAY DOWN AND IT WOULD ONLY GO 5 MILES AN HOUR. FINALLY AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AN RESTARTING ENOUGH TIMES IT RAN NORMALLY. BUT THEN THE COMPUTER WAS ON THE FRITZ. FLASHING THE HIGH INCLINE SIGN, THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SIGN, AND FLASHING ALL THE CRUISE CONTROL. AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON.
I HAVE TWO SMALL CRACKS ON MY WINDSHIELD AFTER A 1.5 YEARS OF OWNING IT. THE FIRST ONE (ATTACHED IMAGES): WAS CRACKED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I GUESS A SMALL ROCK FLIPPED UP AND HIT AND IT CRACKED. WAS GOING ROUGHLY 60-65 MPH. THE SECOND ONE (NOT PICTURED): IS MORE TOWARDS THE LOWER MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS W…
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I HAVE TWO SMALL CRACKS ON MY WINDSHIELD AFTER A 1.5 YEARS OF OWNING IT. THE FIRST ONE (ATTACHED IMAGES): WAS CRACKED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I GUESS A SMALL ROCK FLIPPED UP AND HIT AND IT CRACKED. WAS GOING ROUGHLY 60-65 MPH. THE SECOND ONE (NOT PICTURED): IS MORE TOWARDS THE LOWER MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS WAS ALSO CRACKED WHILE MOVING FROM A SMALL ROCK THAT FLEW UP. I WAS TRAVELING MUCH SLOWER THIS TIME AS IT WAS MORE OF A NORMAL ROAD OUT IN THE COUNTRY. I WAS GOING AROUND 45 MPH. IT SEEMS ABSURD TO ME THAT I ALREADY HAVE A CRACKED WINDSHIELD 1.5 YEARS INTO OWNING THIS VEHICLE WHEN EVERY VEHICLE I'VE OWNED BEFORE THIS ONE HAS NEVER HAD THAT HAPPEN BEFORE.
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.