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: other or unspecified
41 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2021
ON MY WAY TO WORK AT 6:30AM, MY 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK WITH EYESIGHT MAY HAVE HAD TINY ROCK CREATE A PIN SIZED CHIP IN WINDSHIELD. I PARK MY CAR ON THE ROOF OF A PARKING GARAGE. WHEN MY SHIFT WAS OVER AT 7:30PM, I NOTICED A FRACTURE ABOUT THE SIZE OF ONE AND A HALF DOLLAR BILLS OR CLOSE TO 5 OR 6 INCHES IN LENGTH. THE FRACTURE WAS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO FILE A QUOTE WITH MY AUTO INSURANCE. SINCE ITS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 24, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON MY WAY HOME IN LIGHT SNOW MY WINDOW CRACKED STARTING AT 6 INCHES AND IS NOW OVER A FOOT LONG AND GROWING.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 23, 2021
MY WINDSHIELD GOT A BIG CRACK OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. IN ADDITION MY WINDSHIELD WIPER NOZZLES AND PUMP HAVE BOTH BEEN REPLACED DUE TO PROBLEMS CLEANING WINDOW BUT CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION STILL AND I CAN'T SEE CLEARLY BECAUSE OF IT.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Lane departure, Nov 27, 2020
WITH THE CRACK COVERING THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM, THE WARNING SIGNAL WAS ALWAYS FLASHING AND CAUSING MY STEERING TO PULL TO ONE SIDE. SINCE IT WAS DOING THIS IT WAS CAUSING THE CAR TO PULL TO ONE SIDE OR BRING MY TIRES COSTING ME AN ADDITIONAL $800 TO REPLACE THE TIRES BALANCE AND ALIGNMENT FOR MY CROSSTREK, PLUS THE DOWNTIME THAT I HAD TO TAKEOFF FROM WORK TO GET MY CAR WORKED ON AT THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP.
Other or unspecified, Oct 30, 2020
HAVE ASKED SUBARU TO UPDATE THEIR SOFTWARE TO CONTROL THE DASH BOARD. WHEN THE DIGITAL DASH IS SET TO THE DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER, AND A CALL COMES IN, THE DASH DISPLAYS :CALL IN PROGRESS" AND NO LONGER SHOWS THE DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER. SUBARU HAS NOT MADE ANY SOFTWARE UPDATES TO THEIR SOFTWARE.
Other or unspecified, Sep 1, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 65 MPH BUT DID NOT SEE ANYTHING HIT WINDSHIELD. SMALL CRACK TO START.. SMALL SPIDER WEB CRACK GREW INTO A UN-REPAIRABLE 6-8 INCHES IN 4 DAYS.
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWICE AND CHIPPED OTHER TIMES, I BELIEVE IT TO BE DEFECTIVE! *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 21, 2020
IN NOV 2017, AT 700 MILES, I HAD A REMOTE START INSTALLED AT THE DEALERSHIP. IN MAY 2018, MY REMOTE START WOULD NOT START THE CAR & WHEN IT WOULD THE CAR WOULD STALL. EVEN WITHOUT THE REMOTE START MY CAR WOULDN'T START OR IT WOULD START AND SHUT OFF. I COULDN'T GET IT TO FUNCTION FOR 3 DAYS. IN ADDITION, I WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH MY RADIO. THE RADIO WOULD FREEZE UP OR IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF, THERE WERE TIMES THE RADIO WOULD KEEP RUNNING FOR CLOSE TO 15 MINUTES EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF. I TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP IN MAY 2018 AT 4136 MILES & THEY STATED MY TERMINAL CONNECTIONS WERE LOOSE, THEY COMPLETED A RADIO UPDATE & THAT WHEN THE REMOTE START WAS INSTALLED THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS FULLY CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY. SHORTLY AFTER, MY GPS WOULD LOSE CONNECTION A LOT, MY EYE SIGHT TECHNOLOGY SHUTS OFF WHEN I'M DRIVING IF IT'S FOGGY OR RAINY, MY REVERSE AUTO BRAKE HAS STOPPED MY CAR EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NOTHING BEHIND ME, MY CAR AUTO BRAKED ON THE HIGHWAY TWICE EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT NEAR ANYONE & ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS, & MY RADIO HAS FROZEN UP, SO I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BUT VIEW A BLUE SCREEN WITH WHITE STARS. I KEPT GETTING CHARGED FOR STARLINK BUT IT NEVER WORKED, THE ICONS WOULDN'T EVEN LIGHT UP ON MY SCREEN FOR IT. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR NUMEROUS RECALLS IN FEB 2020, MY CAR HAD 13,790 MILES. ON MAY 20, 2020, MY CAR WOULD NOT START; MY KEY FOBS & REMOTE START WOULDN'T WORK. A JUMPER BOX COULDN'T START MY CAR; I HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE JUMP THE CAR. THE CAR RAN ROUGH & THE ODOMETER SHUT OFF & THE SCREEN CHANGED WHILE DRIVING. TODAY, THE CAR IS DEAD AGAIN. I CAN ONLY GET INTO MY CAR WITH EMERGENCY KEY, THE CAR & ELECTRONICS WILL NOT TURN ON & LIGHTS WERE BLINKING ON THE DASHBOARD. MY CAR HAS 17,132 MILES & THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I AM COMPLETELY WITHOUT A CAR FOR DAYS. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE BATTERY & ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THIS CAR. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2020
CRACKED WINDSHIELD LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD CHIPPED FOR NO REASON. THEN IT SPREAD A CRACK ACROSS THE PASSENGER TO THE DRIVER SIDE. IT WAS PARKED IN A SAFE PLACE AND I DID NOT DRIVE IT AT ALL SINCE I WORKED FROM HOME.
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2019
OCT 2017, STONE CHIP PASSENGER VIOLENTLY CRACKED NEXT MORNING WHEN DEFROSTER WAS RUN TO DEFOG FRONT WINDOW. CAR WAS STATIONARY.
Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2019
I HAVE A SECURITY ISSUE RELATED TO THE 2018 CROSSTREK AND THE DOOR LOCKING AND UNLOCKING SYSTEM. THIS ISSUE PUTS VEHICLE OPERATORS AT RISK AND FAILS TO PROTECT THE CONTENTS OF THE VEHICLE WHEN UNATTENDED. WE EXPERIENCE ISSUES WHERE THE ALARM WOULD SOUND WHEN OPENING THE DRIVER DOOR. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE DOCUMENTATION THAT DESCRIBED THIS SO WE WENT TO SEARCH THE INTERNET FOR HELP. WE DISCOVERED MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LOCKED WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL BUT THE DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT LOCK. THE VEHICLE CAN BE ENTERED WHEN UNATTENDED, THE DOORS MANUALLY UNLOCKED AND THE CONTENTS REMOVED. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THE DOOR IS NOT LOCKED WHILE OPERATED. THIS EXPOSES THE OCCUPANTS TO THE RISK OF UNEXPECTED ENTRY FROM OUTSIDE WHILE THEY ARE OPERATING THE CAR. THIS SITUATION OCCURS WHEN THE DOOR HANDLE IS USED TO UNLOCK AND OPEN THE CAR IN A SINGLE MOTION. THE LOCKING LATCH GETS CAUGHT IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION AND WILL NOT CLOSE. THERE IS A NOTABLE DIFFERENCE IN THE SOUND MADE BY THE DRIVER LOCK. THE CORRECTIVE ACTION IS TO USE THE EMERGENCY KEY CONTAINED IN THE KEYFOB AND TURN THE LOCK. I TURNED IT TO LOCK AND UNLOCK AND RESTORED NORMAL OPERATION, BUT THIS WAS AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME WHERE MY WIFE AND HER PACKAGES WERE EXPOSED. I BELIEVE A WORKAROUND IS TO NOT OPEN THE DOOR IN A SINGLE MOTION, BUT RATHER TO TOUCH THE HANDLE, PAUSE WHILE IT UNLOCKS. THERE ARE SEVERAL STEPS I BELIEVE SUBARU SHOULD TAKE. FIRST, I BELIEVE SUBARY SHOULD NOTIFY CUSTOMERS OF THIS CONDITION, OF THE SIGNS IT EXISTS AND HOW TO RESOLVE IT. THE RISK IS REAL AND THEY SHOULD BE STATED. SECOND, I BELIEVE THE SOLENOID THAT LOCKS THE DOOR IS TOO WEAK TO FREE ITSELF, AND SUBARU SHOULD UPGRADE THIS PART SO THAT IF THIS OCCURS, THE NEXT USE OF THE LOCK CORRECTS IT. THIRD, I THINK SUBARU SHOULD CONDUCT TESTS OF ITS OWN ACROSS ALL MODELS.
Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2018
WHEN THE SUNROOF IS OPEN - THERE IS A BLINDING GLARE(ON A SUNNY DAY) PROJECTED FROM THE BASE 6.5 INCH RADIO SCREEN DIRECTLY INTO THE DRIVERS EYES. SINCE THIS IS A BLINDING CONDITION IT MAKES DRIVING WITH THE SUNROOF OPEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT COULD BLIND THE DRIVER CAUSING A ACCIDENT - THE RADIO SCREEN SHOULD HAVE EITHER BEEN COATED WITH A NON-REFLECTIVE COVER - OR - TILTED FORWARD SOTHAT SUNLIGHT IS NOT PROJECTED DIRECTLY INTO THE DRIVERS EYES. WROTE SUBARU A LETTER - NO RESPONSE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2018
MY SUNROOF EXPLODED YESTERDAY, 7/13/18, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON RT. 95. IT MADE A HOLE THROUGH BOTH LAYERS OF GLASS. FORTUNATELY I HAD THE SUNSHADE PULLED OR THE GLASS WOULD HAVE COME INTO THE CAR. NO ONE WAS HURT BUT MY ROOF CAN'T BE REPLACED UNTIL AUGUST BECAUSE OF THE HIGH DEMAND FOR REPLACEMENTS. I WAS TOO SHAKEN TO THINK OF TAKING A PICTURE AND IT IS NOW WRAPPED UP TIGHT AT THE DEALER.
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.
Other or unspecified, Feb 10, 2018
THE CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD AND RECHARGED BY SUBARU ROADSIDE ASSIST. WE RAN THECARFOR 40 MINUTES. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. WE CALLED THE RYE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED THERE. THE PERSON WHO CHARGED THE BATTERY THE FIRST TIME TOLD US THAT SUBARU'S HAVING A LOT OF CALLS FORDEADBATTERIES BUT NOTADMITTING THERE'S A PROBLEM