2019 Subaru Crosstrek
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility/wiper is the leading concern among 284 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 14 Crosstrek model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 6 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 5 people were 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
Seat belts, rear/otherMar 31, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.
In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. The began April 15, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-20.
Campaign 20V189000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv)Dec 2, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, 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 replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.
Campaign 19V856000 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
Visibility, glass, side/rearMay 30, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The driver's side rear-door window glass may be improperly tempered. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."
Improperly tempered glass can shatter into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side rear-door window glass, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUG-92.
Campaign 19V404000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemFeb 6, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet. Subaru has notified dealers and they will inspect the steering gearbox, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUC-88.
Campaign 19V065000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
15 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Mar 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while taking the vehicle for a routine oil change. There were no warning lights illuminated. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the control arm was cracked. The contact stated had not experienced the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,500.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Feb 23, 2025
Hello! I started financing my 2019 Subaru Crosstrek in 04/2023. A month after that date, I had a head gasket issue. Then in 2024, a radiator cap deformed after going to the dealer to get an oil change at SF Honda. (The time on that was suspicious being that I didn’t touch that cap at all.) so I had to pay for that repair. Now in 2025, after getting an oil change at Subaru, a day after that oil change, a lot of lights came onto my dashboard. I have two diagnosis reports from other places because I didn’t have the money to pay Subaru $300 to “diagnose” the issue, especially after my car just came from there a day before the problem existed. Since I got into this vehicle, I’ve been suspicious whether or not it’s safe for me, reason also being, I found out in 2024, that this car has been into 5 wrecks. Which I was NOT aware of prior. And now, they are making me feel, there is NOTHING they can do, unless I have a Co-signer, or the approved “credit” score. And now that my vehicle has “7” recalls! I am hoping I can get out of this vehicle. Thanks!
Steering, Dec 16, 2024
Intermittent Power Steering Malfunction while driving causing car to violently "self-steer". Vehicle is NOT equipped with adaptive cruise control or lane assist features. Loss of control while driving become intermittently high risk having to clutch the steering wheel and counteract undesired vehicle self-steering forces to avoid hitting other cars on the road. No other vehicles or other property were damaged during discovery of EPS malfunction. Malfunction occurs at highway speeds and also local town speeds. There are no check engine lights present on vehicles OBD system. Vehicle is only ever serviced at the same dealership where originally purchased. Upon occurrences of malfunction, vehicle was taken to dealership for diagnostic testing. The dealership's determination is that there is an electrical fault inside the Electronic Power Steering Gearbox. The dealer was able to duplicate the electrical malfunction while test driving. Vehicle currently remains at dealership indefinitely until operating hazard remedied. Original OEM malfunctioning EPS gear box still installed on vehicle as of 12/16/2024 and is available for requested inspection. Since current existing recalls for the EPS gearbox were not applied to this vehicle, Customer is forced to pay out of pocket ($1400 part plus $600 labor) to fix. Requesting NHTSA to confiscate malfunctioning part for examination and comparison to known OEM defects involved with other safety recalls. Replacement parts currently on order by dealer as of 12/16/2024. Reference existing Subaru recall # (WUC-88). Reference existing NHTSA # (19V065000). Replacement OEM part # (34110FL133 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Steering Gear). Existing OEM part number currently on vehicle is unknown. Subaru Dealer: Minooka Subaru 4141 Birney Ave, Moosic, PA 18507 (570) 346-4641
Steering, Dec 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the power steering assist failed to operate as the steering wheel seized with the power steering warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle swerved to the left before the contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the highway. The contact restarted the vehicle and the power steering assist returned before the failure recurred upon exiting the highway. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering had failed and needed to be repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V065000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the dealer possession. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Steering, Lane departure, Jun 28, 2023
My 2019 Subaru Crosstrek surges at speeds around 60 MPH, and swerves the vehicle without my control. I have to hold the steering wheel tightly and steer out of the swerve, which is incredibly dangerous on freeways or mountain roads. Apparently, the lane departure assist is the culprit, so now I have to disable the app before I drive. Why would I allow this dangerous application to drive my car for me? I have barely avoided crashing into semi trucks and driving into road shoulders because of this device. I think the car is dangerous. There is yet another dangerous issue with this car. There is another device that disables the transmission while idling in traffic. The steering and transmission are literally locked in place. I had this happen once in a drive through window, and once on a hill, while traffic was stopped for an accident. When the traffic started to move again, 20 minutes later, I could not get my car to start, and I was in front of a mile long line of traffic, coming back to highway speed, completely stopped. A policeman stopped and knew that there was a little " dimple" on my dashboard that would uncover a locking mechanism. If we only had a slender probe that would fit inside the dimple-pencil too big, so was screwdriver. By this time, I had 2 policemen stopped and traffic whizzing by me. An electrician stopped, knew about the dimple too, and had a slender enough rod to fit into the area, slid the locking mechanism to the side, and started the car again. On both of these issues, I called Subaru customer service and Subaru corporate. NOBODY knew what these issues were, never heard of them! The car is inherently dangerous and I am stuck driving it because I financed it only a year ago and can't afford to buy another car. Subaru should at least acknowledge these dangerous issues, and offer me another model without these issues. The 2019 Crosstrek is the model I have that has these dangerous issues. Earlier and later models do not.
Steering, Suspension, Electrical system, May 12, 2021
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN MEXICO AND HAVE MOVED TO NORTH LAS VEGAS NEVADA. THE DEALER WILL NOT MAKE THE NECESSARY SAFETY REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALLS. WHAT DO I DO? DO I HAVE AN UNSAFE CAR?
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 7, 2021
MY SUBARU CROSSTREK IS A 2019 - LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD AND STILL COVERED BY WARRANTY. IT HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY CARED FOR AND ONLY DEALER SERVICED. 3 DAYS AGO THE CAR'S ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IT. THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER TO THE BRAKES AND STEERING. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER SERVICE I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN GOING TO, AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. IN HIS OWN WORDS, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID "I WOULD NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE LETTING MY FAMILY OR LOVED ONES USING YOUR CAR" - BUT HE OFFERED NO HELP. HE SAID THAT THEY CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM, THEY CAN'T FIND AN ERROR CODE, AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE GIVEN THAT A SERIOUS, DANGEROUS, HAZARDS, AND POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING ENGINE FAILURE OCCURED WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE IN A BRAND NEW CAR. THE FACT THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER HIMSELF SAID THAT IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BUT COULDN'T OFFER ANY EXPLANATION OF WHY THE INFORMATION OCCURED IS VERY FRUSTRATING. THE DEALERSHIP IS GIVING ME A DANGEROUS CAR BACK WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO FIX IT OR WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. IF THE ENGINE DIES ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON A CROWDED STREET, IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH MYSELF AND OTHERS ARE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.
Steering, Lane departure, Feb 19, 2021
EVER SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR MAY 2019 I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM OF DANGEROUS UNSTABLE STEERING WHEN IT AUTOMATICALLY DEPARTS FROM LANES AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS WET SUNNY MOUNTAINS HILLY WHEN IT PUTS ALL US IN DANGER WHEN THA DRIVER HAS TO ADJUST THE CAR. TWICE I HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NO ACTION WAS TAKEN AND WE REMAIN APPREHENSIVE ABOUT DRIVING OUR LESS THAN 6000 MILES. IT IS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS. CAN ANY THING BE DONE.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 29, 2020
EYE SIGHT NOTIFICATION AND ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND WE LOST POWER STEERING WHILST DRIVING THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Nov 19, 2019
WHEN LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED,STEERING GETS LOOSE.WHEELS MAY NOT RESPOND TO STEERING WHEEL FOR 1 SECOND.SUBARU SAYS THIS IS NORMAL.I STOPPED USING THE SYSTEM AFTER DRIFTING OFF A 2 LANE COUNTRY ROAD AT 50 M.P.H. I HAVE THIS SYSTEM IN MY TOYOTA,IT DOES NOT NEGATIVELY EFFECT STEERING WHEEL CONTROL.
Steering, Oct 9, 2019
WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE STEERING WILL UNEXPECTEDLY PUSH THE CAR ACROSS THE LANE, SOMETIMES HARSHLY, ESPECIALLY AROUND CURVES. THIS IS MORE THAN A SIMPLE NUDGE FOR LANE ASSIST, IT SCARES THE HECK OUT OF YOU AS YOU FIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. AT LEAST ON OUR CAR IT'S ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT! THE CAR HAS BEEN IN TO SUBARU THREE TIMES TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, WITHOUT SUCCESS. AFTER INFORMING SUBARU OF AMERICA AND OPENING A FORMAL COMPLAINT (CASE #148267253025) THEY DISMISS THIS AS THE EYE SIGHT/LANE ASSIST WORKING, AND SAY THE REMEDY IS TO TURN THIS SAFETY FEATURE OFF...WHICH TO US IS RIDICULOUS AND NOT WHY WE PURCHASED THIS CAR. AS WE HAVE INFORMED SUBARU THE CAR SITS IN OUR GARAGE AS WE ARE SIMPLY TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. OUR INITIAL COMPLAINT WAS IN JULY, AFTER OUR FIRST ROAD TRIP,AND THE PROBLEM RECURS IRREGULARLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR NOW HAS 5725 MILES ON THE ODOMETER.
Steering, Oct 7, 2019
DRIVING 70 MPH, CRUISE ON BUT NOT SET, LANE KEEP ASSIST WAS ON. DRIVING DOWN MIDDLE OF MY LANE ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR ABRUPTLY TURNS TO THE RIGHT. I COULD NOT RECOVER FAST ENOUGH TO AVOID GOING INTO THE NEXT LANE. BECAUSE I WAS OVER THE LINE, THE LANE DEPARTURE GAVE ME AN ALERT. A FEW DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED FOR THE 2ND TIME. SAME SPEED, SAME ABRUPT FORCE TURNING THE CAR, THIS TIME TO THE LEFT. I MAY HAVE BEEN CLOSE THE THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY LANE BUT NONETHELESS, IT SUPPOSE TO NUDGE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK INTO MY LANE. NOT AN ABRUPT TURN. IT CERTAINLY GETS YOUR ATTENTION AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Steering, Jun 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU CROSSTREK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE STRAIGHTENED BY FORCE BY THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ALL THE TIME EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH WILKINS SUBARU (6917 RICHIE HWY, GLEN BURNIE, MD 21061). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Steering, Apr 26, 2019
THE LANE ASSIST IS SOMETIMES OVERLY AGGRESSIVE, WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN TAKING AN EXIT RAMP TO THE RIGHT IT ONCE VIOLENTLY TRIED TO CORRECT TO THE LEFT. IN CROSSWINDS IT'S LIKE TRYING TO STEER A MARIO CART GAME AND WILL JERK YOU BACK AND FORTH IN THE LANE.
Steering, Apr 4, 2019
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, DURING A MILD TURN, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY PULLS IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS THE TURN. FIRST OCCURRED 3 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER IMMEDIATELY. MAY BE RELATED TO EXISTING STEERING RECALL. DEALER COOPERATIVE SO FAR. CHECKED VIN AGAINST EXISTING RECALL, BUT IT WAS NOT ASSOCIATED ON THE NTSB WEB SITE.