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.
Engine, Aug 7, 2018
COMPLETE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHEN MAKING LEFT TURN.
Power train, Aug 6, 2018
THE CVT TRANSMISSION IN THIS CAR IS JERKY, WILL OFTEN ACT AS IF APPLYING THE BRAKES WITH STOPPING, WILL HAVE TROUBLE SHIFTING DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, RESULTING IN JERKING OF THE CAR. WILL OCCASIONALLY VIBRATE AS IF TRAVELING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT. THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENS. CAN BE IN URBAN OR HIGHWAY TRAFFIC.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 26, 2018
CRACK APPEARED IN LOWER DRIVER'S SIDE PORTION OF WINDSHIELD. CAR WAS PARKED WHEN CRACK APPEARED. NO KNOWN SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO WINDSHIELD. CRACK APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED UNDERNEATH WINDSHIELD WIPER AT THE DE-ICER AREA AND THEN SPREAD UPWARDS.
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
Power train, Jul 20, 2018
THIS CAR IS A LEMON!! I ORDERED MY 2018 CROSSTREK JUNE 2017, TOOK DELIVERY AUG. 7TH. CAR RAN GREAT, LOVED IT! NOV. 2017, 5600 MILES ON IT, IT STARTS INTERMITTENTLY BUCKING/SHUDDERING UNDER ACCELERATION. TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER, THEY HAD IT 3 DAY, COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SOME TIME PASSES, AND WE'RE INTO WINTER, THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE, AND I CAN'T GO WITHOUT IT ESPECIALLY WITH THE SNOW. CAR STILL ACTS UP FOR MONTHS, PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT. APRIL 2018 TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY HAVE IT 13 DAYS, CAN'T FIND AN ISSUE. I PICK THE CAR UP ON A FRIDAY, THE SERVICE MANAGER AND A MASTER TECH RIDE WITH ME SO I CAN DUPLICATE THE CONDITION, THEY EXPERIENCE IT LIKE I DESCRIBED. THAT MONDAY, I RETURN IT TO THE DEALER. SUBARU TECH CASE #63 DAYS LATER, AND COUNTLESS CALLS TO SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY TELL ME THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME ON IT! SO, NOW I'VE RESOLVED TO DIAGNOSE MY OWN "BRAND NEW CAR". I SPENT 3 DAYS WITH MY PERSONAL SCAN TOOL HOOKED UP, AND I FIND THE REASON FOR THE BUCKING/ SHUDDER. I'VE CONSULTED THE DEALER, THEY ARE DISCUSSING WITH SUBARU TECH ON WHY I SEE WHAT I'M SEEING ON THE LIVE DATA. SO, TO SUM UP 80+ DAYS AT THE DEALER, THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING, I HAVE IT 3 DAYS, AND I FIND THE REASON FOR THE SYMPTOM! NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WON'T BUY ANOTHER SUBARU, AND THIS ONE WILL BE GOING BYE BYE! I DON'T BLAME THE DEALER, THEY CAN ONLY DO WHAT SUBARU ALLOWS. THIS IS SUBARU CORPORATE'S FAULT, AND THEY DON'T WANT TO COME TO THE TABLE ON MAKING IT RIGHT WITH THE CUSTOMER.
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.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 28, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (RELIABLE SUBARU, 438 S INGRAM MILL RD, SPRINGFIELD, MO 65802, (417) 720-8373), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 677.
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
Electrical system, Jun 8, 2018
MAIN COMPUTER SYSTEM STOPS WORKING ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. NO RADIO, NO VOLUME CONTROL, NO CD, NO PHONE, NO MAP/GPS. MAP/GPS WAS IN USED AT THE TIME. SYSTEM RESUMES ALL OF ITS FUNCTIONS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT DOWN FOR A FEW MINUTES. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
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.
Structure, Apr 25, 2018
WATER COLLECTING IN FRONT DOORS AND NOT DRAINING OUT OF DOOR WHEN PARKED FACING UPHILL. THE DRAIN HOLES IN THE FRONT DOORS ARE NOT LOCATED IN THE REAR CORNER OF THE DOOR. IF THE VEHICLE IS ON AN INCLINE FACING UPHILL, WATER CAN NOT ESCAPE THE REAR CORNERS OF THE DOOR INTERIOR UNTIL THE VEHICLE OR DOOR IS LEVEL.
Suspension, Apr 25, 2018
WATER IS COLLECTING UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUT TOWER DUST COVER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CAUSING RUST/CORROSION OF THE STRUT SHAFT/NUT AND STRUT TOWER POCKET. VEHICLE NEW AND HAS LESS THAN 4000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER.
Electrical system, Feb 14, 2018
SUBARU'S SAFETY SYSTEM EYESIGHT THAT USES ACROSS MULTIPLE MODELS INCLUDING MY 2018 CROSSTREK HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT PREVENTED THE HUMAN DRIVER TO BE ALERTED. THE EYESIGHT SAFETY WARNING AUDIO ALERT DOES NOT INTERRUPT THE AUDIO FROM THE RADIO UNIT, IN ADDITION THE AUDIO WARNING SOUND LEVEL IS VERY LOW DESPITE THE MAX SETTING ON THE SYSTEM. MY CELL PHONE'S RINGER VOLUME IS MUCH LOUDER THAN THE SUBARU'S EYESIGHT VOLUME. DURING THE NORMAL MUSIC LISTENING I CAN'T EVEN HEAR THE SAFETY WARNINGS (REAR CROSS TRAFFIC, FORWARD WARNING, AND LANE ALERT ETC). THIS CREATE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVING ENVIRONMENT THAT MIGHT LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. MY CROSSTREK DOES NOT HAVE AN ADDITIONAL WINDSHIELD VISUAL ALERT LIKE MY GM CAR THAT HAS A RED LED PROJECTED TO WINDSHIELD IN ADDITION TO AUDIO ALERT. BY THE WAY GM'S ALERT STOP THE RADIO AND THE VOLUME IS LOUD. MY PROBLEM WAS CONFIRM BY DEALER AND SUBARU OF AMERICA. SOA TOLD ME THAT THER ARE NO PAIRS NEEDED. I HOPE YOU CAN WORK WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA TO ASK THEM TO REPAIR THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE. I HAVE A YOUNG TEENAGE DRIVER IN MY FAMILY AND I AM VERY CONCERN ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.
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
Electrical system, Jan 23, 2018
HEAD UNIT FREEZES. CANNOT ADJUST RADIO VOLUME OR CHANGE STATIONS. MUST SHUTDOWN VEHICLE FOR A FEW MINUTES TO ALLOW COMPUTER TO REBOOT. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS SITUATION OCCURS.
Electrical system, Oct 20, 2017
UPON STARTING THE CAR, THE RADIO BLARES AFTER A FEW SECONDS, WHEN BACKING UP, FOR INSTANCE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. ACCORDING TO SUBARU, THAT'S THE WAY IT'S DESIGNED. I THINK ITS A SAFETY HAZARD, AS THE FIRST MOMENTS WHEN DRIVING CAN REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION (WHEN BACKING UP, FOR INSTANCE), AND THE RADIO BLARING WITHOUT WARNING CAN BE DISCONCERTING AND JARRING. CAN THIS BE CONSIDERED A DESIGN FLAW, AND THE VEHICLES WITH THIS NEW SYSTEM RECALLED?
Electrical system, Sep 26, 2017
PURCHASED NEW 2018 CROSSTREK WITH HARMAN KARDON PREMIUM AUDIO SYSTEM. AFTER ONE WEEK THERE WAS A CONSTANT STATIC BUZZ COMING FROM THE DOOR SPEAKER ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE, EVEN WHEN THE AUDIO SYSTEM WAS TURNED OFF. DEALER SAYS THAT THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE AMPLIFIER.