2013 Subaru Crosstrek
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 26 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 14 Crosstrek model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 1 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 28, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Campaign 19V149000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
5 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Oct 13, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that after refueling with the fuel tank at 3/4 tank full, the fuel gauge failed to provide the correct fuel level. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the fuel sending tank, but the failure continued to occur. The contact indicated that the failure had caused fuel leakage and spillage while adding fuel to the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,000.
Electrical system, Jul 26, 2019, fire
CAR PARKED AND SOME ELECTRICAL WIRE? CAUSED CAR TO CATCH FIRE? THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE OF THE HATCHBACK/TRUNK AREA WAS BURNT/ MELTED THROUGH TO THE METAL AND THE WIRES AROUND THE BACK WINDOW ON INSIDE WERE HANGING DOWN AND HOT PLASTIC DRIPPED DOWN ONTO A BOX OF PAPERS THAT WERE IN THE HATCHBACK. THE PAPERS HAD BLACK BURNT SPOT ON THEM BUT FORTUNATELY DID NOT ALL BURN. THERE WAS A DARK BLACK BROWN SPOT ON THE BACK WINDOW DRIVERS SIDE ON THE INSIDE AND THERE WAS SOOT ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE AND INSIDES OF THE WINDOWS. IT GOT SO HOT THAT THE TRUNK COULD NOT BE OPENED. NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED IT. I WAS PARKED IN MY WORK PARKING LOT. I GOT TO WORK AT 7 PM AND GOT OUT OF WORK AROUND 938 AM. THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED THANKFULLY. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. ALL THE DAMAGE WAS ON THE INSIDE. MY HUSBAND IS CAR OWNER.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU CROSSTREK. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BRAKE OR STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE UNKNOWN DEALER IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS AND THE REPAIR SPECIFICS WERE NOT DISCLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO STAR SUBARU (206-26 NORTHERN BLVD, BAYSIDE, NY 11361, (833) 271-0487) WHERE THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO EAST HILLS SUBARU (1039 NORTHERN BLVD, ROSLYN, NY, (866) 391-1314), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). BOTH DEALERS STATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY THE CONTACT WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10.
Electrical system, Structure, Seats, Jul 14, 2018, fire
2013 SUBARU CROSSTREK(70K MILES) PASSENGER DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. WITHIN 3 MINUTES OF SMELLING SMOKE INSIDE DOOR PANEL WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WENT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY, TURNED ENGINE OFF, PUT OUT THE FLAMES, WAITED FOR THE SMOKE TO CLEAR AND THE PLASTIC TO COOL OFF. UPON RESTARTING VEHICLE SPARKS AND SMOKE VISIBLE SO TURNED VEHICLE OFF. CUT THE RED(+) WIRES, RESTARTED VEHICLE(NO SMOKE), DROVE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. OBVIOUSLY A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, NONE OF THE FUSES POPPED. HAD A PASSENGER BEEN IN THE PASSENGER SEAT I'M SURE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT. PICKED UP THE VEHICLE YESTERDAY AND PAID 2K OVER INSURANCE ESTIMATE. NOW HAVING TO SQUEEZE THE INSURANCE FOR THE DIFFERENCE SINCE I DIDN'T TAKE IT TO THEIR SUGGESTED REPAIR SHOP AND SUBARU OF AMERICA WOULD NOT PAY FOR DAMAGE DUE TO POOR WORKMANSHIP/FAULTY PARTS. ANYONE ELSE HAVE PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS?
Electrical system, Jan 2, 2017
ECO-WIRING MADE OF MATERIALS THAT ATTRACT ANIMALS. A RODENT CHEWED THROUGH MY WIRING HARNESS. $800 WORTH OF DAMAGE THAT COULD BE PREVENTED. CAR IS INOPERABLE.