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2013 Subaru Xv Crosstrek

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Subaru Xv Crosstrek do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 78.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

52 reports with mileage · 44 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.

  • Engine. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

Steering complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSteeringCrash

The stall led to a collision, bent cam shaft and need for total engine repair.

NHTSA ODI #11473984

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSteeringCrash

involved in a collision, possibly related to the stall issues mentioned in the collision. Reported to the insurance. They are pending repair on the matter due to recall and entire engine was required, which is more than the car is valued for.

NHTSA ODI #11473713

113,400 miles · Jul 20, 2021
Steering

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left and to the right. The contact stated that the steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her destination at a slow speed. The contact took the vehic…

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The contact owns a 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left and to the right. The contact stated that the steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her destination at a slow speed. The contact took the vehicle to two independent mechanics who were both unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. An appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,400.

NHTSA ODI #11425676

77,000 miles · Jun 5, 2020
Electrical SystemSteering

AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM IGNITION, KEY GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327410

141,000 miles · Oct 25, 2017
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

THE HORN DOES NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALIGNED STRAIGHT WITH THE WHEELS AND THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING HOWEVER WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT THE HORN WILL FUNCTION. "SUBARU HAS ALREADY ISSUED A RECALL IN AUSTRALIA FOR PROBLEMS RELATED TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT COUL…

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THE HORN DOES NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALIGNED STRAIGHT WITH THE WHEELS AND THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING HOWEVER WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT THE HORN WILL FUNCTION. "SUBARU HAS ALREADY ISSUED A RECALL IN AUSTRALIA FOR PROBLEMS RELATED TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT COULD LEAD TO A SHORT CIRCUIT, WHICH WOULD DISABLE CONTROL OF THE WIPERS, HEADLIGHTS, HORN, DRIVER'S AIRBAG AND FEATURES ACTUATED THROUGH THE MULTI-FUNCTION STEERING WHEEL, SUCH AS CRUISE CONTROL, AUDIO SYSTEM AND MOBILE PHONE CONNECTIVITY". MODELS AFFECTED IN THIS RECALL INCLUDED IMPREZA AND CROSSTREK XV YEARS 2012-2014, AND FORESTER MODELS BUILT IN 2013 AND 2014. NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED IN THE U.S RELATED TO THE STEERING AND/OR CONTROLS (APART FROM THE TAKATA RECALLS) *TR

NHTSA ODI #11039788

18,300 miles · Feb 23, 2015
Steering

WE WENT SKIING WITH OUR KIDS LAST SATURDAY. THERE WAS AN ICE STORM THE NIGHT BEFORE AND THE ROADS WERE BAD. WE WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MILES. I HAVE DRIVEN ICY ROADS MY WHOLE LIFE AND HAVE OWNED SEVERAL SUBARUS. AT ANY SPEED OVER 45 MPH THE BACK END WOULD KICK SIDEWAYS. I COULD TELL BY THE OTHER CAR'S ON THE ROAD THAT DAY THAT M…

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WE WENT SKIING WITH OUR KIDS LAST SATURDAY. THERE WAS AN ICE STORM THE NIGHT BEFORE AND THE ROADS WERE BAD. WE WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MILES. I HAVE DRIVEN ICY ROADS MY WHOLE LIFE AND HAVE OWNED SEVERAL SUBARUS. AT ANY SPEED OVER 45 MPH THE BACK END WOULD KICK SIDEWAYS. I COULD TELL BY THE OTHER CAR'S ON THE ROAD THAT DAY THAT MY PROBLEM WAS UNIQUE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH DRIVERS THAT ARE NOT USED TO WINTER DRIVING. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR THEY TOLD ME TO ROTATE THE TIRES AT THE CORRECT INTERVALS BECAUSE THE COMPUTER WILL ADJUST THE SPEED OF THE TIRES SEPARATELY. I THINK THE COMPUTER ADJUSTMENTS ARE THE PROBLEM. IT MUST BE ABLE TO TELL IF IS SLIPPING AND ADJUST THE SPEED OF THE REAR TIRE AND KICK IT SIDEWAYS. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL HOW MANY CAR ACCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THIS. A SMALL AMOUNT OF RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALED THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10690162

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2015
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

2013 SUBARU XV CROSSTREK. CUSTOMER SAYS VEHICLE HAS NUMEROUS ISSUES AND CAN'T GET THEM FIXED BECAUSE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LACKED POWER, THE STEERING PULLED SEVERELY TO THE RIGHT, THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY AND IT OFTEN FELT AS THOUGH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIP…

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2013 SUBARU XV CROSSTREK. CUSTOMER SAYS VEHICLE HAS NUMEROUS ISSUES AND CAN'T GET THEM FIXED BECAUSE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LACKED POWER, THE STEERING PULLED SEVERELY TO THE RIGHT, THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY AND IT OFTEN FELT AS THOUGH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ON, THE BRAKES VIBRATED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10659578

11,000 miles · Jan 4, 2014
Steering

MY WIFE AND I USED TO LOVE THIS CAR BUT......WHILE DRIVING MY RELATIVELY NEW 2013 CROSSTREK 11,000 MILES FROM WISCONSIN TO DETROIT TO ATTEND THE WINTER HOCKEY CLASSIC HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH GHOSTWALKING. (THIS IS MY 4TH SUBARU AND MY 36TH WINTER DRIVING SEASON SO NOT AN INEXPERIENCE PROBLEM.) IT WAS SNOWING BUT THE ROADS WER…

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MY WIFE AND I USED TO LOVE THIS CAR BUT......WHILE DRIVING MY RELATIVELY NEW 2013 CROSSTREK 11,000 MILES FROM WISCONSIN TO DETROIT TO ATTEND THE WINTER HOCKEY CLASSIC HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH GHOSTWALKING. (THIS IS MY 4TH SUBARU AND MY 36TH WINTER DRIVING SEASON SO NOT AN INEXPERIENCE PROBLEM.) IT WAS SNOWING BUT THE ROADS WERE CLEAR OF THICK SNOW BUT HAD A THIN GREASY SHEEN. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP A STRAIGHT LINE AND THE REAR END FELT LIKE IT WANTED TO SPIN OUT (THE OLD REAR WHEEL DRIVE FEEL) ESPECIALLY IF THE WIND BLEW. MOST CARS WERE PASSING ME OLD NEW BIG SMALL. AS A SUBARU DRIVER I AM USED TO PASSING OTHERS ON WINTER ROADS AND DID NOT LIKE FEELING LIKE THE LITTLE OLD MAN EVERYONE WAS STEERING AROUND. THINKING THE PROBLEM WAS THE FACTORY INSTALLED TIRES, WE BOUGHT NEW SNOW TIRES FOR $925 AT BELLE TIRE THE MORNING OF THE RETURN HOME. SIMILAR WEATHER (SNOWY BLOWING GREASY ROADS). THE CAR HANDLED SLIGHTLY BETTER. BUT EACH TIME WE GOT UP TO SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH THE CAR WOULD TRY TO TURN ABRUPTLY WHENEVER WE WENT UNDER OR OVER AN OVERPASS ON A STRAIGHTAWAY....VERY NERVE RACKING. ENDED UP BAILING OUT IN A HOTEL IN TOLEDO UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING WHEN THE ROADS WERE MOSTLY BARE AND DRY. I AM VERY FAMILIAR AND LIKE THE FEELING OF THE AWD KICKING IN TO ENHANCE THE TRACTION AND CONTROL OF THE CAR. IN THIS SITUATION IT FEELS LIKE THE AWD IS KICKING IN AND TRYING TO TURN THE CAR ANYTIME THERE IS A SLIGHT SLICK SPOT. DID CHECK TO SEE IF THE CAR WOULD TRY TO DRIFT LEFT OR RIGHT ON A DRY FLAT STRAIGHTAWAY (GOES STRAIGHT). I AM HOPING THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO A REAR END ALIGNMENT ISSUE BUT DISCONCERTED BY MY CAR WHICH FEELS DANGEROUS WHEN I MOST NEED IT TO BE RELIABLE. VERY SIMILAR COMPLAINT DESCRIPTIONS ON THIS WEBSITE FOR OUTBACKS DESCRIBED AS GHOSTWALKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558479

2,070 miles · Jan 4, 2014
Steering

AFTER PARKING THE CAR IN -18 DEGREE AIR TEMPERATURE, FOR ONLY 20 MINUTES, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I CALLED THE DEALER FROM WHERE I BOUGHT THE NEW CAR 2 MONTHS EARLIER, TO ASK FOR AN APPOINTMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT CHARLIE'S MOTOR MALL IN AUGUSTA, MAINE SAID THAT THEY HAD THREE INCIDENCES OF THIS HAPPENING THE…

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AFTER PARKING THE CAR IN -18 DEGREE AIR TEMPERATURE, FOR ONLY 20 MINUTES, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I CALLED THE DEALER FROM WHERE I BOUGHT THE NEW CAR 2 MONTHS EARLIER, TO ASK FOR AN APPOINTMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT CHARLIE'S MOTOR MALL IN AUGUSTA, MAINE SAID THAT THEY HAD THREE INCIDENCES OF THIS HAPPENING THE DAY BEFORE AND THAT IS WEATHER RELATED. SHE TOLD ME THAT ALL THEY DO IS PARK THE CAR INSIDE, LET IT WARM UP, THEN RETURN IT TO THE OWNER. I FIND THAT "SOLUTION" UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN AS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558457

Official recalls

2

18V772000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Nov 1, 2018

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.

13V061000 · Electrical System; Equipment

Feb 25, 2013

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Equipment

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Electrical System

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

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.