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: visibility
72 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility, Dec 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING HER PARKED VEHICLE AT HER RESIDENCE, SHE NOTICED A VERTICAL CRACK ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,500.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 30, 2020
AFTER ONLY ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP, THE VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD CRACKED. WHILE PREPARING FOR OUR EARLY MORNING COMMUTE, MY WIFE AND I APPROACHED THE VEHICLE AND QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK EXTENDING FROM THE UPPER LEFT-HAND SIDE TO THE LOWER RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD (VIEWING THE VEHICLE FROM THE OUTSIDE). NO ROCKS OR SHARP OBJECTS EVER STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 30, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITH NO CAUSE.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2020
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I RAN OVER A SMALL POTHOLE AND I NOTICED A SMALL CHIP THAT HAD APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I STOPPED TO LOOK IT OVER I COULDN'T EVEN FEEL IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. RESOLVING TO GET IT FIXED WHEN I CAME HOME I BEGAN DRIVING AND NOT EVEN AN HOUR INTO MY TRIP IT HAD TURNED INTO. A CRACK GOING DOWN THE LENGTH OF THE DRIVERS SIDE. BY THE END OF THE TRIP IT STRETCHED 4 FEET FROM THE UPPERMOST CORNER DRIVERS SIDE GOING DOWN, AND THEN MAKING A CURVED PERPENDICULAR TO THE GROUND AND GOING TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALL IN THE MATTER OF A FEW HOURS.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2020
A CRACK APPEARED ACROSS THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD 2 WEEKS AGO WHILE IT WAS PARKED.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 6, 2020
WINDSHIELD CONSTANTLY POPPING LIKE IT IS CRACKING FROM WHEN NEW. SMALL ROCK HIT IT AND A HUGE CRACK ACROSS AT LEAST 25% OF WINDSHIELD BEFORE YOU COULD HAVE IT REPAIRED.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 14, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED WITH NO IMPACT OR DAMAGE TO CAUSE THE CRACK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED IN OUR RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY AND NOT DRIVEN (HOME DUE TO COVID) SO I AM CERTAIN NOTHING HAS HIT THE WINDOW TO CAUSE IT TO CRACK. THE CRACK IS VERTICAL STRAIGHT UP FROM THE DEFROSTER ELEMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IS 10+ INCHES LONG. DEALER INDICATES THIS IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST NEARLY 3K TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD AND RECALIBRATE THE EYESIGHT FUNCTIONALITY. I UNDERSTAND FROM RESEARCH ONLINE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON SUBARU MODELS, INCLUDING THE CROSSTREK.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 10, 2020
MY CAR WAS PARKED APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES TODAY, FRIDAY JULY 10, 2020, FROM 9:15AM UNTIL 11:30AM. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR, THE WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE STARTING AT TOP OF WINDOW APPROXIMATELY 3 INCHES LONG. IT IS GOING UP AND DOWN ON THE WINDSHIELD, FROM THE TOP. I DID NOT HAVE A ROCK OR DEBRIS HIT MY WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. THE PARKING LOT IS NOT NEAR A ROADWAY OR WHERE IT COULD BE HIT BY DEBRIS.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 9, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACK , WHICH IS LENGTHING. NOTICED WHILE DRIVING BUT DO NOT RECALL AN IINCIDENT WHICH COULD ACCOUNT FOR THIS DAMAGE.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 4, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WHILE STATIONARY IN OUR DRIVEWAY. THE CRACK IS VERTICAL LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE WINDOW FROM THE ROOFLINE TO ALMOST THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE LOCAL SUBARU SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THIS IS A PROBLEM THEY SEE OFTEN AND WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY.
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWICE AND CHIPPED OTHER TIMES, I BELIEVE IT TO BE DEFECTIVE! *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 24, 2020
A SMALL PIECE OF PEBBLE HIT MY WINDSHIELD ON THE HIGHWAY. NORMALLY, A SMALL PEBBLE SHOULD NOT MAKE SUCH A BIG DAMAGE, BUT IT CREATED SUCH A BIG CRACK IN THE WINDOW. INTERESTINGLY, IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, THERE IS THE SAME MAKE/MODEL CAR WITH THE SAME WINDOW CRACK. IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING TO SEE SUBARU TO HAVE LOW QUALITY WINDSHIELD IN THEIR LATEST MODEL. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 22, 2020
WINDSHIELD GETS A MASSIVE CRACK OUT OF NOWHERE. VEHICLE WAS IN GARAGE. *TR
Visibility, Visibility/wiper, Jun 22, 2020
I HAVE HAD 6 ROCK CHIP SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. I DRIVE MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES TO AND FROM WORK. IT SEEMS ANY SLIGHTEST HIT TO THE WINDSHIELD WILL CAUSE A CHIP. IN ALL THE VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED OTHER THAN THIS I HAVE ONLY HAD 4. OUT OF 8 OTHER VEHICLE. I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT SOMETHING ISN'T CORRECT WITH HOW THEY MADE THIS WINDSHIELD. MY 1981 AND 1986 SUBARU'S THAT I HAVE OWNED I NEVER GOT A CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD. AND I PUT MORE MILES ON THEM THAT MY CURRENT 2018 CROSSTREK. MY FIRST CHIP WAS AT ABOUT 200 MILES AND THEN FROM THERE JUST DOWN HILL. I DREAD THE SOUND OF SOMETHING HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. AT TIMES I AM AFRAID THE WINDSHIELD IS JUST GOING TO SHATTER. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 21, 2020
WINSHIELD CRACK ABOUT 6 IN LONG FOR NO APPARENT REASON. CAR WAS PARKED. DAY TEMPERATURE WAS MILD, NOT EXTREMELY COLD OR HOT. IT'S GOING TO COST $600 TO REPLACE DUE TO EYESIGHT CALIBRATION. I GOT IT TEMPORARILY FIXED WITH RESIN. WINDSHIELD TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY DEBRIS OR FOREIGN OBJECT.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 21, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACK APPEARED OVERNIGHT FROM ABOVE THE HEAT VENT.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 19, 2020
WE HAVE NOW HAD TO REPLACE OR REPAIR SIGNIFICANT CRACKS FROM SEEMINGLY SMALL ROCKS HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. THEY NEVER POCK THE WINDSHIELD BUT RATHER CAUSE LONG CRACKS TO APPEAR THAT CAN OBSCURE VISION OR THE VISUAL AID CAMERAS PROVIDED WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 5, 2020
MY CAR SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN. IN THAT TIME, THE WINDSHIELD FORMED A CRACK STARTING AT THE BOTTOM NEAR THE HEAT VENT AND GOING UP INTO THE MAIN PART OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO IMPACT FROM A FOREIGN OBJECT, THE CRACK SEEMED TO FORM SPONTANEOUSLY AT SOME POINT DURING THE THREE DAYS I DIDN'T DRIVE THE CAR. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Apr 27, 2020
IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS OF OWNING MY SUBARU CROSSTREK, I HAVE HAD THE WINDSHIELD CRACK TWICE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE FIRST TIME MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED, THERE WAS NO "POINT OF IMPACT" THAT I WAS ABLE TO DETECT AND THE WINDSHIELD STARTED TO CRACK NEAR THE HEATING VENT UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE SECOND TIME THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED, THERE AGAIN WAS NO "POINT OF IMPACT" DETECTED AND THE CRACK SEEMED TO START FROM THE TOP MOST PART OF THE WINDSHIELD RIGHT WHERE THE REARVIEW MIRROR WAS ATTACHED TO THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 13, 2020
TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY, VEHICLE IN MOTION WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WAS HIT BY SMALL ROCK FROM THE CAR TRAVELING IN FRONT OF ME. RESULTED IN SPIDER CRACK AND WITHIN 30 MINUTES A 10'+ CRACK. NORMAL WINDSHIELDS DO NOT CRACK THIS EASY.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 8, 2020
I NOTICED THAT MY WINDSHIELD HAD A LARGE CRACK IN IT AFTER DRIVING INTO WORK ONE DAY WITHOUT ANY PRECIPITATING FACTORS (NO WRECK, NO HIT, NO ROCKS, ETC). IT WAS INITIALLY SMALL AND HAS QUICKLY INVOLVED TOP TO BOTTOM OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD
Visibility/wiper, Mar 15, 2020
THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY AND A SMALL CRACK APPEARED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDOW. IT QUICKLY SPREAD ACROSS THE WINDOW.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
I PURCHASED MY 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK FROM HARVEY SUBARU IN BOSSIER CITY LA IN MARCH OF 2018. I CAN'T RECALL THE EXACT DATE, BUT THE CAR WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK AND THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE WARRANTY WAS HONORED AND THEY REPLACED THE SUNROOF WITH NO HASSLE. I ASSUME THEY WILL HAVE SERVICE RECORDS DETAILING THE INCIDENT. IT WAS IN THE SUMMER OF 2018 IF I RECALL CORRECTLY. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE WINDSHIELD ISSUES SUBARU IS HAVING BUT I FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO REPORT IT.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED TWICE, ONCE A SMALL CRACK WHICH WAS REPAIRED AND SECOND TIME A LARGER CRACK WHICH NEEDED WINDSHIELD REPLACED. NO OBVIOUS CAUSES IN EITHER CASE