2018 Subaru Crosstrek
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility/wiper is the leading concern among 194 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 14 Crosstrek model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 10 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 1 person was injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, softwareApr 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.
A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V264000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearApr 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.
Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V263000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, softwareOct 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.
If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 19V743000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv)Oct 17, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.
Campaign 19V744000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakesNov 7, 2017
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Crosstrek vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect floor mat retention bracket, allowing the floor mat to move out of position and interfere with the accelerator or brake pedal operation.
If the floor mat moves out of position and interferes with the accelerator or brake pedal operation, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mat retention bracket and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTR-77.
Campaign 17V701000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
33 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Sep 26, 2018
VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE SINCE PURCHASED IN JUNE 2018 DUE TO JERKY, BUCKING AND HESITANT ACCELERATION AND SHIFTING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HESITANCY HAS ALMOST RESULTED IN BEING HIT WHILE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND FROM PARKING SPACE IN LOT. THIS CAN OCCUR IN FWD DRIVE AND REVERSE. VIBRATION AND SHAKING OCCURS AT ABOUT 1700RMP AND LESS OCCASIONALLY 1100RPM.
Engine, Sep 21, 2018
THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR FOR THE ENGINE STALLING AND HESITATION. THE RECALL DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP TWO TIMES. THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE CONDITION. SUBARU DOES NOT WANT TO GET INVOLVED TO HELP MY DEALER REPAIR THE CAR. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE WHEN IT DOES LOSE POWER ITS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN.
Engine, Aug 7, 2018
COMPLETE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHEN MAKING LEFT TURN.
Engine, Jul 25, 2018
MY OIL TEMP ON MY SUBARU IS HIGHER THAN NORMAL...I HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALER 2 TIMES ALREADY AND EVEN THO THEY SAY THE TEMPS ARE NOT NORMAL THE SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE EVERYTHING LOOK FINE..BUT THEY TELL ME TO CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3K NOW INSTEAD OF 6K...I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ABOUT THE OIL TEMPS AND HAVE NOT FOUND ANYONE OR ANY OTHER CASE THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM WITH A 2018 CROSSTREK .I HAVE ASK SUBARU WHAT THE OIL TEMP RANGE IS AND AFTER MONTHS OF CALLING SOMEONE FINALLY TELLS ME MAX TEMP IS 247...MY CAR GOES OVER THAT..I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND SAME THING..THEY DO NOTHING..I ASK THEM AGAIN WHAT THE NORMAL TEMP RANGE IS AND THEY DON'T KNOW...THEY TELL ME TO JUST DRIVE IT THAT IT'S UNDER WARRANTY..THE HIGH OIL TEMP PROBABLY DID SOME LONG TERM DAMAGE...SUBARU IS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING HERE EVEN THO THEY SAY THE TEMPS ARE NOT NORMAL....THE TEMPS RISE UP AT HIGHWAY DRIVING..UP HILLS MOSTLY...NORMAL SPEED...IT'S LIKE THERE IS NO COOLING...GO UP HILLS DURING REGULAR HIGHWAY DRIVING THE OIL TEMP JUST SHOOTS UP...WATER TEMP IS NORMAL
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 25, 2018
JUNE 2, 2018. PURCHASED A NEW 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK FROM MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND DROVE THE CAR HOME. THE NEXT DAY (JUNE 3, 2018), ON MY FIRST TRIP OUT TO RUN ERRANDS THE CAR STALLED AFTER GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AT SLOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT. THE NEXT DAY (JUNE 4, 2018), THE CAR STALLED AGAIN TWICE IN RAPID SUCCESSION UNDER SIMILAR CONDITIONS IN ANOTHER PARKING LOT. THE SAME DAY (JUNE 4, 2018), I DROVE THE CAR TO MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. SUBARU ENGINEERS EVALUATED A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON OTHER CROSSTREKS AND DETERMINED THAT THE ISSUE WAS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. 21 DAYS LATER I AM STILL WAITING FOR A REMEDY.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Jun 20, 2018
VEHICLE TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING TWO TIMES IN TRAFFIC CAUSING NEAR COLLISIONS. ITS BEEN AT DEALER FOR MORE THAN A WEEK. THE DEALER SAYS THEY COULDN'T REPAIR IT SO SUBARU SENT OUT ENGINEERS AND DETERMINED THEIR WAS A FAULT WITH NO REPAIR PROTOCOL AVAILABLE. THEY SAY THEY WILL HAVE TO KEEP MY CAR UNTIL THEY CAN REPAIR IT. THEY MENTIONED ANOTHER CAR IN THE PHOENIX AREA HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY STATED THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE TO DEVELOP NEW SOFTWARE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA CASE #[XXX] ON JUNE 18, 2018. I ASK THEM TO RETURN THE VEHICLE THAT I HAVE HAD FOR LESS THAN 2 MONTHS, BUT THERE IS NO RESOLUTION FROM THEM AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD AIR CONDITIONER ISSUES THAT THE DEALER SERVICE TEAM SAY ARE RESOLVED, BUT AS YET WE HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE THE REPAIR, TO SEE IF THE AC IS ACTUALLY WORKING PROPERLY. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FOR ITS OUTSTANDING SAFETY RATING IN THE TRANSPORTATION OF OUR ELDERLY MOTHER TO AND FROM MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AND ANY COLLISION COULD BE A LIFE THREATENING EVENT FOR HER, IN HER CURRENT CONDITION. WE ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS AND VERY DISAPPOINTED IN SUBARU FOR CONTINUING TO SELL THIS VEHICLE TO THE PUBLIC WITH THE KNOWLEDGE IT HAS A DEFECT THAT CAN TURN IT OFF AT ANY TIME CAUSING A COLLISION. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 29, 2018
AFTER BEING PURCHASED ON APRIL 4TH, 2018, WITH 125 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, I RAN THE VEHICLE ROUGHLY 2000 MILES, AT WHICH TIME MY VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING MAJOR ISSUES. THE FIRST OCCASION, I WAS DRIVING IN BUMPER TO BUMPER STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON I25 IN DOWNTOWN DENVER, I STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITH TRAFFIC, AND AT THAT TIME THE CAR HAD A "COMPUTER MALFUNCTION" AS I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER, ESSENTIALLY KILLING MY CAR, LEAVING ME STUCK IN THE CENTER LANE OF A 5 LANE HIGHWAY. THE SECOND OCCASION WAS THE SAME MALFUNCTION, I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD ON A CITY STREET , AND THE CAR DID THE SAME THING, HAD A "COMPUTER MALFUNCTION" AND I HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE, THE ENTIRE ECM WAS REPLACED. THE THIRD BREAK DOWN WAS THE EXACT SAME MALFUNCTION AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME I WAS GOING 40 MILES PER HOUR. EXITING FROM HIGHWAY 34 IN GREELEY, CO. THE DASH LIGHTS ALL LIT UP AND MY VEHICLE SLOWED ITSELF TO A STOP AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER.
Engine, Apr 26, 2018
MY SAFETY CONCERN WITH THE 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK RESULTS FROM A HUGE AMOUNT OF ENGINE REV HANG ( REV HANG - A HIGH (OR 'HANGING') ENGINE RPM AFTER DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL. REFERENCE - SUBARU OUTBACK SB# 11-174-17R DATED 6 23 17 ) WHEN SHIFTING UP THROUGH THE LOWER GEARS. AS A RESULT OF REV HANG, IT IS ESSENTIALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THIS CAR SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT SEVERELY ABUSING THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE PROBLEM IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WHILE UP-SHIFTING FROM FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, WHERE REV HANG CAN EXIST FOR 3 TO 4 SECONDS. A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE EXISTS AS YOU ARE AT RISK OF A REAR END COLLISION AS THE CAR ABRUPTLY SLOWS, WITH THE CAR'S BRAKE LIGHTS OFF ( THIS IS ESPECIALLY EVIDENT WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND GOING UP A HILL ) WHILE YOU SIT AND WAIT FOR ENGINE REV HANG TO DISSIPATE IN ORDER TO UP-SHIFT THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION. I MENTION THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AS IT IS ONE THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND GOING UP A HILL IN BOSTON EARLIER THIS MONTH. ADDITIONALLY, I AM CONVINCED THAT THIS REV HANG ISSUE, IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN UNACCEPTABLY SHORTENED CLUTCH, TRANSMISSION AND ASSOCIATED DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENT LIFE. ALSO, EXCESSIVE BRAKE WEAR WILL MOST CERTAINLY RESULT, AS ANY AVAILABLE ENGINE BRAKING HAS BEEN ESSENTIALLY ELIMINATED BY ENGINE REV HANG. NOTE ' THIS REV HANG ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO SUBARU OF AMERICA, SEE S OF A SR #:1-31863796593, AND REMAINS UNCORRECTED.