IllustrationEYESIGHT SWITCHES ON AND OFF TOO OFTEN FOR NO OBVIOUS REASON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION REGARDLESS OF A CITY STREET OR ON THE HIGHWAY
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 reportsMY 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK'S WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE WAS NO ROCK OR ANYTHING THAT I SAW HIT IT. THE CRACK KEEPS GROWING AND IS NOW ABOUT THE LENGTH OF A DOLLAR BILL. I HAVE HAD A CRACKED WINDSHIELD BEFORE ON A DIFFERENT CAR AND IT IS OBVIOUS WHEN SOMETHING LIKE A ROCK HITS IT. HOWEVER, THIS CRACK SEEMED TO…
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MY 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK'S WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE WAS NO ROCK OR ANYTHING THAT I SAW HIT IT. THE CRACK KEEPS GROWING AND IS NOW ABOUT THE LENGTH OF A DOLLAR BILL. I HAVE HAD A CRACKED WINDSHIELD BEFORE ON A DIFFERENT CAR AND IT IS OBVIOUS WHEN SOMETHING LIKE A ROCK HITS IT. HOWEVER, THIS CRACK SEEMED TO HAVE COME OUT OF NOWHERE. WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE CRACK THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS (~35 MPH)
POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT ONLY DURING A SHORT RANGE TURN, HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY COULDN'T HEAR THE NOISE- AS SOON AS THEY GAVE IT BACK IT WAS STILL POPPING, IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING. I HAVE FOUND ONLINE THAT THERE COULD BE MANY ISSUES, BUT WAS A RECALL ON EARLIER MODELS. MAYBE 2018 SHOULD BE RECALL…
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POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT ONLY DURING A SHORT RANGE TURN, HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY COULDN'T HEAR THE NOISE- AS SOON AS THEY GAVE IT BACK IT WAS STILL POPPING, IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING. I HAVE FOUND ONLINE THAT THERE COULD BE MANY ISSUES, BUT WAS A RECALL ON EARLIER MODELS. MAYBE 2018 SHOULD BE RECALLED AS WELL. WAS AT THE DEALER 4/2/2021- BOUGHT THE CAR JULY 2020
I OWN A SUBARU CROSSTREK (2018)OUR CAR WINDSHIELD HAS A CRACK. I'VE NEVER BEEN INTO ANY ACCIDENT OR COLLISION THAT CAN CAUSE SUCH A CRACK. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE ALL OF A SUDDEN IS A CRACK ON WINDSHIELD ONE DAY. I JUST PARKED THE CAR IN OUR PARKING LOT IN OUR COMMUNITY ( IT'S A COVERED LOT) AND THE NEXT DAY WHEN I WENT IN…
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I OWN A SUBARU CROSSTREK (2018)OUR CAR WINDSHIELD HAS A CRACK. I'VE NEVER BEEN INTO ANY ACCIDENT OR COLLISION THAT CAN CAUSE SUCH A CRACK. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE ALL OF A SUDDEN IS A CRACK ON WINDSHIELD ONE DAY. I JUST PARKED THE CAR IN OUR PARKING LOT IN OUR COMMUNITY ( IT'S A COVERED LOT) AND THE NEXT DAY WHEN I WENT IN TO CAR, I NOTICED THE CRACK.. I'VE BEEN SEARCHING AROUND AND NOTICED THAT SUBARU VEHICLES INCLUDING CROSSTREK HAVE TONS OF REPORTED ISSUES OF WINDSHIELD CRACKS.
THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET. NO IMPACT OR REASON FOR IT. CRACK BEGUN ON THE TOP MIDDLE SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE WINSHIELD IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. WINDOW REPLACEMENT AND EYESIGHT ADAS CALIBRATION REQUIRED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALONG THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD THEIR WERE ROUGH SPOTS IN A ROW ABOVE THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT LOOKED LIKE RUST. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER (WEST HERR AUTOMOTIVE GROUP 3552 SOUTHWESTERN BLVD, ORCHARD PARK, NY 14127; (716) 649-7711) WHO STATED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALONG THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD THEIR WERE ROUGH SPOTS IN A ROW ABOVE THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT LOOKED LIKE RUST. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER (WEST HERR AUTOMOTIVE GROUP 3552 SOUTHWESTERN BLVD, ORCHARD PARK, NY 14127; (716) 649-7711) WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD RECEIVE A REPAIR BEFORE THE LEASE WAS UP HOWEVER HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ONE. THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE STONE CHIPPED HOWEVER THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT LOOKS MORE LIKE RUST. . THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,700.
OUT OF NOWHERE MY WINDSHIELD HAD A 5 INCH CRACK, FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS NO CHIP, JUST A CRACK. THERE IS NOTHING THAT I KNOW OF THAT CAUSED THIS. I SEE ONLINE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH SUBARU WINDSHIELDS CRACKING. I DO NOT HAVE A PICTURE, JUST A COPY OF THE RECEIPT FOR RE…
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OUT OF NOWHERE MY WINDSHIELD HAD A 5 INCH CRACK, FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS NO CHIP, JUST A CRACK. THERE IS NOTHING THAT I KNOW OF THAT CAUSED THIS. I SEE ONLINE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH SUBARU WINDSHIELDS CRACKING. I DO NOT HAVE A PICTURE, JUST A COPY OF THE RECEIPT FOR REPLACEMENT.
WHEN CROSSING ACROSS TRAFFIC TO GET IN THE LANE FROM RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS. THERE IS SLOW AND SLUGGISH AS IT WANTS TO STALL OR STAY OUT IN CROSS TRAFFIC TO CAUSE A COLLISION!! IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED IT FROM A NON SUBARU DEALER BEGINNING OF 2021.THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THIS SLUGGISH ACCELERATION PROBLEM CAN CAUSE AN …
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WHEN CROSSING ACROSS TRAFFIC TO GET IN THE LANE FROM RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS. THERE IS SLOW AND SLUGGISH AS IT WANTS TO STALL OR STAY OUT IN CROSS TRAFFIC TO CAUSE A COLLISION!! IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED IT FROM A NON SUBARU DEALER BEGINNING OF 2021.THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THIS SLUGGISH ACCELERATION PROBLEM CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
ON MY WAY TO WORK AT 6:30AM, MY 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK WITH EYESIGHT MAY HAVE HAD TINY ROCK CREATE A PIN SIZED CHIP IN WINDSHIELD. I PARK MY CAR ON THE ROOF OF A PARKING GARAGE. WHEN MY SHIFT WAS OVER AT 7:30PM, I NOTICED A FRACTURE ABOUT THE SIZE OF ONE AND A HALF DOLLAR BILLS OR CLOSE TO 5 OR 6 INCHES IN LENGTH. THE FRACTURE WA…
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ON MY WAY TO WORK AT 6:30AM, MY 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK WITH EYESIGHT MAY HAVE HAD TINY ROCK CREATE A PIN SIZED CHIP IN WINDSHIELD. I PARK MY CAR ON THE ROOF OF A PARKING GARAGE. WHEN MY SHIFT WAS OVER AT 7:30PM, I NOTICED A FRACTURE ABOUT THE SIZE OF ONE AND A HALF DOLLAR BILLS OR CLOSE TO 5 OR 6 INCHES IN LENGTH. THE FRACTURE WAS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO FILE A QUOTE WITH MY AUTO INSURANCE. SINCE ITS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.
DRIVING MY 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK DOWN THE HIGHWAY TODAY (2/13/2021) WITH NO OTHER CARS VISIBLE ON THE ROAD WITH ME IN THEIR DIRECTION I TURNED ON MY DEFROST AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS. I NOTICED AT THAT AFTER THAT FUNCTION A CRACKING LINE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD GREW UP FROM THE BOTTOM AND CURVED LEFT. THE CRACK CONTINUED…
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DRIVING MY 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK DOWN THE HIGHWAY TODAY (2/13/2021) WITH NO OTHER CARS VISIBLE ON THE ROAD WITH ME IN THEIR DIRECTION I TURNED ON MY DEFROST AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS. I NOTICED AT THAT AFTER THAT FUNCTION A CRACKING LINE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD GREW UP FROM THE BOTTOM AND CURVED LEFT. THE CRACK CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 7-10" DURING THE REMAINING 3 HOUR DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. TO BE CLEAR THERE WAS NO CHIP OR IMPACT. I HAVE PICTURES FROM THE MOMENT I REALIZED IT BEHIND THE WHEEL AND AGAIN OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AT THE END OF MY TRIP. THERE IS NO IMPACT JUST A PERFECT CRACK STARTING FROM BELOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WHICH IS PROECTED FROM DEBRE BY THE HOOD AND WIPERS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED MAY 2018, MANUFACTURED AFTER FEB 2018 AND IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD.
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.