STARTER FAILED AT 50 K MILES LEFT ME STRANDED
2019 Subaru Crosstrek
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Crosstrek years
Owner complaints for the 2019 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
179 reports with mileage · 105 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 113 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
53 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BILL RAPP SUBARU (3446 BURNET AVE, SYRACUSE, NY 13206, (315) 437-2501) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH U…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BILL RAPP SUBARU (3446 BURNET AVE, SYRACUSE, NY 13206, (315) 437-2501) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,680.
STATIONARY. BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. FIRST SUBARU SAID THAT IT NEEDED TO BE STARTED EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS. THEN THEY SAID THAT IT HAD TO BE STARTED OR DRIVEN EVER WEEK. NOW THEY SAY IT HAS TO BE DRIVEN "MORE" AFTER PREVIOUS INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN FOLLOWD. BATTERY DIES, BECOMES DEFECTIVE, AND DEALERSHIP REPLACES IT.
ORIGINAL BATTERY FAILED 5 TIMES IN 6 MONTHS AND WAS FINALLY REPLACED BY DEALER. SECOND BATTERY FAILED AFTER A MONTH AND HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED AGAIN BY DEALER. VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR 20 MINUTES OR MORE AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK BEFORE THE 2ND BATTERY FAILURE.
VEHICLE BATTERY WILL NOT HOLD POWER. VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN ON AND REQUIRES CHARGING BEFORE IT WILL TURN ON. HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN LAST MONTH. VEHICLE STATIONARY.
FOR THE THIRD TIME, THE BATTERY ON THIS CAR NEEDS TO GO BACK FOR SERVICE - THE CAR IS HOUSED IN A GARAGE ON OUR PROPERTY AND IS TURNED ON EVERY 3-4 DAYS. THIS MORNING AND TWICE BEFORE THE CAR DOESN'T START. IN THE PREVIOUS 2 TIMES THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AND I HAD TO JUMP START IT AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY SAID TH…
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FOR THE THIRD TIME, THE BATTERY ON THIS CAR NEEDS TO GO BACK FOR SERVICE - THE CAR IS HOUSED IN A GARAGE ON OUR PROPERTY AND IS TURNED ON EVERY 3-4 DAYS. THIS MORNING AND TWICE BEFORE THE CAR DOESN'T START. IN THE PREVIOUS 2 TIMES THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AND I HAD TO JUMP START IT AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. THIS MORNING WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR, THE LIGHTS WERE FLASHING BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT TURN OVER. THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH OUR LAST SUBARU A 2015 SUBARU IMPREZA. WE FEEL THE CAR SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE STARTED EVERY DAY NOR SHOULD WE NEED TO PUT ON A TRICKLE CHARGER AS SUGGESTED BY JEFF AT PAUL MILLER SUBARU WHO I UNDERSTAND IS THE SERVICE MANAGER THERE IN PARSIPPANY, NJ WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. THE CAR WAS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE. ALSO WHENEVER WE WERE ABLE TO TURN ON THE CAR, THE RADIO COMES ON IMMEDIATELY. I THINK SOMETHING ELSE IS DRAINING THE BATTERY AND IS PROBABLY A DESIGN DEFECT. WE LAST STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE IT ON WEDNESDAY EVENING. THE HAD THIS PROBLEM YESTERDAY.
AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND BEGINNING TO REVERSE AWAY FROM MY HOME, THE REAR VIEW CAMERA FROZE FOR 10 SECONDS, NOT SHOWING ANY CHANGE IN MOVING OR STATIONARY OBJECTS. THIS HAPPENED DUE TO THE DRIVER SCREEN INTERFACE/ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM CRASHING AND REBOOTING. THE CRASH/REBOOT USUALLY HAPPENS IF THE CAR PAIRS BY BLUETOOTH WITH A …
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AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND BEGINNING TO REVERSE AWAY FROM MY HOME, THE REAR VIEW CAMERA FROZE FOR 10 SECONDS, NOT SHOWING ANY CHANGE IN MOVING OR STATIONARY OBJECTS. THIS HAPPENED DUE TO THE DRIVER SCREEN INTERFACE/ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM CRASHING AND REBOOTING. THE CRASH/REBOOT USUALLY HAPPENS IF THE CAR PAIRS BY BLUETOOTH WITH A PHONE THAT IS IN THE HOUSE, AND THEN GETS OUT OF RANGE WHEN THE CAR BACKS AWAY OR DRIVES AWAY FROM THE HOUSE. IF IT CRASHES WHILE REVERSING, THE SCREEN EITHER GOES BLANK OR FREEZES THE REAR VIEW IMAGE IN PLACE. IF THE SYSTEM CRASHES WHILE DRIVING FORWARD THEN THE REVERSE CAMERA IMAGE IS NOT AFFECTED. WHEN THE CAMERA FREEZES WHILE REVERSING, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT GIVES THE DRIVER THE FALSE VIEW THAT NOTHING IS BEHIND THE CAR WHEN THERE COULD BE A CHILD OR OBJECT.
MY WIFES CAR STARTED SMELLING LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. WE TOOK IT TO A SUBARU DEALER AND A RODENT HAD CHEWED THE HIGH PRESSURE GAS LINE. IT THEN SPRAYED GASOLINE RIGHT INTO HER BACK SEAT FOAM AND CUSHION. IF WE TAKE THE RODENT OUT OF THE EQUATION, THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE AND WE WANT OUR MONEY BACK IN FULL. TH…
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MY WIFES CAR STARTED SMELLING LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. WE TOOK IT TO A SUBARU DEALER AND A RODENT HAD CHEWED THE HIGH PRESSURE GAS LINE. IT THEN SPRAYED GASOLINE RIGHT INTO HER BACK SEAT FOAM AND CUSHION. IF WE TAKE THE RODENT OUT OF THE EQUATION, THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE AND WE WANT OUR MONEY BACK IN FULL. THE MATERIAL FOR WIRING AND FUEL LINES ARE MADE FROM A SOY BASED PRODUCT ATTRACTING RODENTS. THE SEAL THEY USE FOR THE GAS TANK ACCESS UNDER THE REAR SEAT IS A CHEAP FOAM NOT A NEOPRENE RUBBER OR O-RING. IF THE GAS WOULD OF LEAKED ONTO JUST THE GROUND I WOULDN'T EVEN BE TYPING THIS LETTER. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT HIGH PRESSURE GAS GETTING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I WANT TO CONTACT A LAWYER ABOUT THIS AND MAKE SUBARU ACCOUNTABLE. THE DEALER EVEN TOLD ME IT WAS THE SECOND ONE IN 2 WEEKS. THEY MUST USE A SOY BASED FUEL LINE TO ATTRACT TO RODENT, AND THEN THE FOAM SEAL IN NO WAY IS SAFE TO PREVENT A PRESSURE OF GASOLINE FROM REACHING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. MY WIFES CAR IS 13 MO OLD AND ONLY HAS 7400 MILES ON IT. SHE IS DEVASTATED AS THIS WAS HER FIRST BRAND NEW CAR EVER. NO WE HAVE A CAR WITH GAS SMELL INSIDE FOREVER. PLEASE HELP US!
ALL ELEXTRICAL WAS DIABELED, NO S DRIVE, NO RESPONSE TO KEY FOB, COULD NOT TAKE CAR OUT OF PARK, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. CAR WAS WORKIG WHEN PARKED AT STORE, CAME OUT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND KEPT GIVING ME ERROR MESAGES. THE YBRID BATTER WAS GOOD AND I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO USE THE HYBRID MODE TO GET THE CAR TO THE DEALER…
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ALL ELEXTRICAL WAS DIABELED, NO S DRIVE, NO RESPONSE TO KEY FOB, COULD NOT TAKE CAR OUT OF PARK, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. CAR WAS WORKIG WHEN PARKED AT STORE, CAME OUT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND KEPT GIVING ME ERROR MESAGES. THE YBRID BATTER WAS GOOD AND I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO USE THE HYBRID MODE TO GET THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP.
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER, AND THE BATTERY FAILED IN APRIL AFTER MULTIPLE DEAD BATTERIES AND JUMP STARTS. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AS 'DEFECTIVE.' THE CAR WAS JUMPED AGAIN FOR A DEAD BATTERY IN JUNE. THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN IN JULY, AND THE TECH SAID THAT THE REASON WAS THAT THE CAR HAD TO BE DRIVEN EVERY 5 DAYS OR THE BA…
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THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER, AND THE BATTERY FAILED IN APRIL AFTER MULTIPLE DEAD BATTERIES AND JUMP STARTS. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AS 'DEFECTIVE.' THE CAR WAS JUMPED AGAIN FOR A DEAD BATTERY IN JUNE. THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN IN JULY, AND THE TECH SAID THAT THE REASON WAS THAT THE CAR HAD TO BE DRIVEN EVERY 5 DAYS OR THE BATTERY WOULD BE DEAD. IN AUGUST, THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN AND AGAIN THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A DEFECTIVE BATTERY, AND IT WAS REPLACED, THOUGH THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE CAR NEEDED TO BE STARTED AND DRIVEN ONCE A WEEK.
Official recalls
721V263000 · 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.
20V189000 · Seat Belts:rear/other
Mar 31, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. The began April 15, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-20.
19V856000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)
Dec 2, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, 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 replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.
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.
19V404000 · Visibility; Visibility:glass, Side/rear
May 30, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The driver's side rear-door window glass may be improperly tempered. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Improperly tempered glass can shatter into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side rear-door window glass, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUG-92.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Visibility
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The driver's side rear-door window glass may be improperly tempered. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."
Consequence: Improperly tempered glass can shatter into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side rear-door window glass, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUG-92.
Visibility:glass, Side/rear
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The driver's side rear-door window glass may be improperly tempered. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."
Consequence: Improperly tempered glass can shatter into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side rear-door window glass, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUG-92.
19V065000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
Feb 6, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet. Subaru has notified dealers and they will inspect the steering gearbox, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUC-88.
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.
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