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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 26

Of the 2013 reports, 1 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire.

Primary concernEngine11 reports · 42% of complaints
Owner complaints26Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship1 safety recallNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine11
  2. Electrical system5
  3. Power train4
  4. Exterior lighting3
  5. Service brakes2
  6. Other or unspecified2
  7. Air bags1
  8. Fuel/propulsion system1

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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: service brakes

2 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. 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.

  2. Service brakes, Sep 30, 2016

    AFTER 73,000 MILES OF MOSTLY NON-PEAK HIGHWAY MILES THE BREAK LIGHT SWITCH FAILED. THIS CAUSED MY BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE LIGHTS DIDN'T WORK UNTIL AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE. THE DASH HILL ASSIST, ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY DURING DRIVING FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND THEN WERE CONSTANT WHEN IT FINALLY FAILED COMPLETELY.