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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

96 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2016
Engine

ENGINE OIL LEAK CAUSING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND LOW OIL LEVELS BETWEEN REASONABLE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE MILEAGE (BURNING 3 QUARTS IN 1200 MILES). LOW OIL LIGHT DOES NOT ALWAYS ILLUMINATE, CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD OF BLOWING MOTOR DUE TO UNREASONABLY FAST OIL CONSUMPTION AND OWNER NOT BEING AWARE OF PROBLEM. CAR HAS 42000 MIL…

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ENGINE OIL LEAK CAUSING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND LOW OIL LEVELS BETWEEN REASONABLE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE MILEAGE (BURNING 3 QUARTS IN 1200 MILES). LOW OIL LIGHT DOES NOT ALWAYS ILLUMINATE, CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD OF BLOWING MOTOR DUE TO UNREASONABLY FAST OIL CONSUMPTION AND OWNER NOT BEING AWARE OF PROBLEM. CAR HAS 42000 MILES ON IT AND THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT DEALERSHIP/SUBARU ARE NEGLECTING TO PROPERLY FIX.

NHTSA ODI #10822710

60,434 miles · Oct 11, 2015
Power Train

RECENTLY, WITH ONLY 60,434 MILES (AND ACTUALLY A LITTLE BEFORE THIS), THE AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED ON MY 2013 CROSSTREK SUBARU. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS DUE TO BAD ROADS. BUT, AFTER HAVING OWNED MANY CARS, NEVER HAS AN AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. I AM WRITING BECAUSE THERE IS ANOTHER OWNER OF A 2013 CROSSTREK WHO HAD THE SAME ISS…

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RECENTLY, WITH ONLY 60,434 MILES (AND ACTUALLY A LITTLE BEFORE THIS), THE AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED ON MY 2013 CROSSTREK SUBARU. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS DUE TO BAD ROADS. BUT, AFTER HAVING OWNED MANY CARS, NEVER HAS AN AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. I AM WRITING BECAUSE THERE IS ANOTHER OWNER OF A 2013 CROSSTREK WHO HAD THE SAME ISSUE, NOTED ON THIS WEBSITE AND WAS GIVEN THE SAME EXCUSE THAT I WAS. CLEARLY, THERE IS A PROBLEM MECHANICALLY WITH THESE AXLES. IN FACT, THEIR ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE CROSSTREK SHOWS THE VEHICLE ON A BUMPY DIRT ROAD. THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE.

NHTSA ODI #10781349

23,000 miles · Sep 14, 2015
Unknown Or Other

TWO TIMES MY VEHICLE HAS HAD A PROBLEM RELEASING MY IGNITION KEY. I END UP HAVING TO WIGGLE THE KEY, PUT BACK IN DRIVE, PARK, DRIVE, PARK, AND IT FINALLY RELEASES THE KEY. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AS I SEE THIS HAPPENING AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10763533

21,500 miles · Sep 7, 2015
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

THE MOONROOF/SUNROOF HAS EXPLODED. THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE OUTWARD BREAK PATTERN.

NHTSA ODI #10761963

71,000 miles · Aug 12, 2015
Unknown Or Other

TWO CONCERNS. PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW MARCH 2013. 5000 MILES LATER CHECK OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HAD TO ADD 1 QT. OIL. WENT TO DEALER TO INQUIRE. SAID THEY HAD TO MONITOR. CONTINUALLY HAPPENED AT 5000. FIRST SAID I HAD A FAULTY OIL SENSOR (RECALL). THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD SINCE IT ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE OIL WAS LOW. THEN AFTER MONITOR…

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TWO CONCERNS. PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW MARCH 2013. 5000 MILES LATER CHECK OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HAD TO ADD 1 QT. OIL. WENT TO DEALER TO INQUIRE. SAID THEY HAD TO MONITOR. CONTINUALLY HAPPENED AT 5000. FIRST SAID I HAD A FAULTY OIL SENSOR (RECALL). THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD SINCE IT ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE OIL WAS LOW. THEN AFTER MONITORING DEALER SAID OIL CONSUMPTION WAS NORMAL. SECOND PROBLEM. AT 71000 MILES HEARD TICKING NOISE IN FRONT LEFT. DEALER SAID NEEDED TO REPLACE LEFT AXLE. POSSIBLE CAUSE ROUGH ROAD CONDITIONS. AT 75000 MILES HEARD SAME NOISE ON RIGHT SIDE. DEALER MECHANIC SAID DUE TO HIGH MILEAGE IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE AXLE TO LOSE GREASE AND FAIL. FOUND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR BOTH AXLES TO FAIL AT 71000-75000 MILES. I WOULDN'T CONSIDER THAT HIGH MILEAGE NOR WOULD I CONSIDER IT NORMAL FOR AXLES TO FAIL. SPOKE WITH THEIR CUSTOMER RELATIONS 1-800-SUBARU3 CASE #1-10733639056. I PAID $628.00 TO REPLACE FIRST AXLE. THEY AGREED TO PAY FOR SECOND AXLE. THEY SAID THEY WERE ONLY REPLACING IT BECAUSE I WAS A GOOD CUSTOMER AND A GESTURE OF GOOD WILL. NOT BECAUSE THE AXLES WERE FAULTY. I WOULDN'T CONSIDER MYSELF A GOOD CUSTOMER SINCE THIS IS THE ONLY SUBARU I HAVE EVER PURCHASED AND IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10748272

43,675 miles · May 28, 2015
Engine

MY 2013 SUBARU XV CROSSTREK IS BURNING OIL. AT THE TIME THAT THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR HAD 43,675 MILES ON IT. I JUST READ WHERE SOMEONE ELSE IS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW 2 YEARS AGO AND FEEL THAT A NEW CAR SHOULD NOT BE BURNING OIL.

NHTSA ODI #10721933

3,000 miles · May 2, 2015
Engine

MY 2013 SUBARU CROSSTREK XV HAS BEEN BURNING OIL SINCE NEW. THE DEALER, AND SUBARU, HAVE DONE NOTHING TO HELP FIX THE ISSUE. CURRENTLY ITS BURNING A QUART OF OIL EVERY 2000-3500 MILES. THIS CAN'T BE RIGHT BUT SUBARU TELL ME THAT IT IS OK FOR THE CAR TO "CONSUME" A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1200 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714178

25,000 miles · Mar 21, 2015
Air BagsCrash

INTERSECTION OF AIRPORT BLVD AND SCOTT ST. IN HOUSTON. BETWEEN 545 TO 6 PM WAS THE INCIDENT. WEATHER WAS PERFECT. BETWEEN 70 TO 75 DEGREES. BRIGHT AND CLEAR CONDITIONS. I WAS COMING FROM THE EAST SIDE OF AIRPORT BLVD TOWARDS THE SOUTH SIDE OF SCOTT. THIS ROAD WAS A 35 MPH ROAD. AS I TURNED LEFT SEEING THAT THE OTHER SIDE WAS CLE…

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INTERSECTION OF AIRPORT BLVD AND SCOTT ST. IN HOUSTON. BETWEEN 545 TO 6 PM WAS THE INCIDENT. WEATHER WAS PERFECT. BETWEEN 70 TO 75 DEGREES. BRIGHT AND CLEAR CONDITIONS. I WAS COMING FROM THE EAST SIDE OF AIRPORT BLVD TOWARDS THE SOUTH SIDE OF SCOTT. THIS ROAD WAS A 35 MPH ROAD. AS I TURNED LEFT SEEING THAT THE OTHER SIDE WAS CLEAR, I STARTED MOVING AND I GOT HIT BY A DODGE DURANNGO WHO WAS SPEEDING UP AT MAYBE 60-70 MPH. I SURVIVED THE ACCIDENT BUT BASED ON PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT, MY CAR WAS DECLARED TOTALED. THE IMPACT WAS SO STRONG. THE OTHER DRIVER WERE GIVEN VARIOUS CITATIONS BY THE POLICE AND WAS DETERMINED TO BE AT FAULT. HE WAS ALSO DRIVING WITHOUT AN INSURANCE AND A LICENSE. I HOWEVER FELT AGGRIEVED KNOWING THAT MY CAR WAS TOTALED AND I SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. I HOWEVER WAS SHOCKED THAT DESPITE THE STRONG IMPACT OF THE COLLISION, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I CAN PROVIDE PHOTOS IF NEEDED. THE IMPACTED SIDE WAS ON THE FRONT SIDE AND AS I WAS NAVIGATING SUBARU'S WEBSITE, IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAD RECALL OF THEIR 2004 TO 2005 VEHICLES FOR ISSUES OF AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THIS IS WHERE I ABSORBED A STRONG IMPACT ON MY CAR AND I HAVE A SUSPICION THAT I HAVE A SIMILAR CASE. SUBARU CROSSTREK 2013 WAS I THINK THEIR FIRST RELEASE OF THIS MODEL SO THERE ARE NOT MANY STUDIES OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS VEHICLE. I DEMAND FOR AN INVESTIGATION. MY ACCIDENT COULD HAVE TURNED OUT FATAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10700854

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

29,700 miles · Feb 22, 2015
Power Train

THIS CAR IS ABSOLUTELY SCARY ON ICE OR SNOW. IT MAY HAVE A DESIGN FLAW OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT IS EXTREMELY UNSTABLE ON ICE OR SNOW. WHEN YOU HIT A PATCH OF ICE, THE AWD SYSTEM PUSHES THE TAIL OUT AND MAKES THE CAR FEEL LIKE IT WILL SPIN OUT. ON ROADS WHERE OTHERS ARE PROGRESSING IN COMPLETE CONTROL, THIS CAR IS GOING 40 WIT…

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THIS CAR IS ABSOLUTELY SCARY ON ICE OR SNOW. IT MAY HAVE A DESIGN FLAW OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT IS EXTREMELY UNSTABLE ON ICE OR SNOW. WHEN YOU HIT A PATCH OF ICE, THE AWD SYSTEM PUSHES THE TAIL OUT AND MAKES THE CAR FEEL LIKE IT WILL SPIN OUT. ON ROADS WHERE OTHERS ARE PROGRESSING IN COMPLETE CONTROL, THIS CAR IS GOING 40 WITH FLASHERS ON WITH THE DRIVER HANGING ON FOR DEAR LIFE. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689835

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.