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
194 reports, newest first.
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.
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.
Electrical system, Oct 10, 2020
WE CAN DRIVE HUNDREDS OF MILES, MAKE A FEW STOPS AND DURING ONE OF THOSE STOPS, THE BATTERY IS DEAD. THIS HAS OCCURRED THREE SEPARATE TIMES OVER THE LAST 4 WEEKS. WE'VE HAD THE VEHICLE AT JOHN KENNEDY SUBARU IN NORRISTOWN WHERE THEY ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. WHAT THEY DID WAS PERFORM AN UPDATE ON RADIO AND THE BATTERY, STARTER AND ALTERNATOR ALL CHECKED OUT OK. THE CAR DIED AGAIN TODAY AND WE'RE SCHEDULED TO BRING IT IN AGAIN ON MONDAY.
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.
Wheels, Aug 9, 2020
AT LESS THAN 60,000 MILES MY WHEEL BEARINGS STARTED MAKING A LOUD HUMMING NOISE. THE NOISE GETTING LOUDER THE FASTER I GO. IT'S IS A CONSTANT NOISE THAT ONLY GOES AWAY WHEN I STOP. I HAVE NEVER TAKEN THE CAR OFF ROAD.
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
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
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
Service brakes, Apr 27, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON 3/32/2018 AT A LOCAL DEALER FOR AN UNKNOWN BRAKE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 20 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED CRASHING INTO THE MEDIAN. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RK SUBARU OF VINELAND (612 N DELSEA DR BUILDING 2, VINELAND, NJ 08360) WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, HE WAS AWAITING A CALLBACK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THIS DEALER SERVICED THE RECALL FOR THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,247.
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.