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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 284

Of the 2019 reports, 6 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.

Primary concernVisibility/wiper113 reports · 40% of complaints
Owner complaints284Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship7 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Visibility/wiper113
  2. Electrical system53
  3. Other or unspecified49
  4. Engine34
  5. Power train24
  6. Steering15
  7. Fuel/propulsion system13
  8. Visibility11

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

284 reports, newest first.

  1. Visibility/wiper, Dec 24, 2019

    I EXPERIENCED A SPONTANEOUS WINDSHIELD CRACK ON MY VEHICLE, IT STARTED IN THE UPPER DARKENED SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD.

  2. Other or unspecified, Dec 24, 2019

    DRIVING ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR, AND IT WAS QUITE A WINDY DAY AND A SMALL PEBBLE HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSED A SMALL CRACK WHICH QUICKLY ELONGAGED TO ABOUT 36 INCHES

  3. Structure, Dec 23, 2019

    I SEE THIS AS A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM AND NOT AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY PROBLEM. IT INVOLVES A 2019 SUBARU CROSSTREK. ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, WEEKS OR MONTHS APART, THE HOOD HAS POPPED UP 1 INCH AND HAS BEEN STOPPED BY THE SAFETY HOOK. I NOTICE THIS ONLY WHEN I REACH HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE FRONT HOOD "FLUTTERS" UP AND DOWN. THERE IS NO INDICATION, FROM INSIDE THE CAR, THAT THE HOOD HAS PARTIALLY RELEASED AT SPEEDS UNDER 50 MPH. ON NONE OF THESE 3 OCCASIONS, HAS THE HOOD RELEASE LEVER, NEAR THE DRIVERS LEFT LEG, BEEN ACTIVATED, PULLED OR BUMPED. I'VE ONLY INTENTIONALLY OPENED THE HOOD ONCE OR TWICE -- AND THE PROCESS SEEMS NORMAL. THIS HOOD RELEASE PROBLEM HAS NEVER RESULTED IN LOSS OF FORWARD VISION OR WITH THE HOOD IN A FULLY "UP" POSITION. THE CAR IS 7 MONTHS OLD WITH ABOUT 7,500 MILES ON IT; SO THIS IS HAPPENING ROUGHLY EVERY 2 MONTHS. I RARELY DRIVE ON DIRT OR BUMPY ROADS. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHEN THE HOOD RELEASE ACTUALLY OCCURS WITHOUT PULLING UPWARD ON THE HOOD REGULARLY OR DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE HAS BEEN NO FRONT END DAMAGE OR TRAUMA.

  4. Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 18, 2019

    CUTS OUT MOMENTARILY WHEN ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED AND DEALER SAYS THATS NORMAL. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN MERGING IN TRAFFIC.

  5. Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 16, 2019

    CUTS OUT ON ACCELERATING

  6. Electrical system, Engine, Dec 15, 2019

    I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC TO COMPLETE STOP, AS I WAS ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONLY ONCE. I HAVE HAD ANOTHER INCIDENT WHEN I WAS BACKING UP TO PARK MY CAR IN MY GARAGE, MY BACK UP CAMERA FROZE WHILE IM STILL IN MOTION THEN THE INFOTAINMENT REBOOTS.

  7. Visibility/wiper, Dec 11, 2019

    I WOKE UP ONE MORNING AND FOUND MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED. IT'S LITERALLY ABOVE THE DEFROSTER FOR THE GLASS WHEN ITS WINTER. IT SPREAD FOR NO REASON NOTHING WAS THROWN AND I WAS NOT IN ANY ACCIDENT FOR THAT TO CRACK ON IT'S OWN BECAUSE IT WAS COLD. I LIVE IN QUEENS, NY AND WE HAVENT HAD ANY COLD COLD WINTERS YET FOR THAT TO HAVE HAPPENED ON IT OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN I DISCOVERED THE CRACK. I CANT USE THE DEFOGGER BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE THE WINDSHIELD CRACK EVEN MORE!

  8. Electrical system, Engine, Dec 6, 2019

    HI. I PURCHASE MY 2019 SUBARU CROSSTREK IN OCTOBER OF 18 BECAUSE I DECIDED TO SUCK IT UP AND HAVE A PAYMENT TO ENSURE I HAD A SAFE VEHICLE FOR MYSELF AND FOR MY SON. SINCE WE ALWAYS PURCHASE SUBARUS THROUGH MY WORK, I WENT THAT ROUTE BECAUSE I'VE BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH THEM ESPECIALLY WITH SAFETY. IN MAY OF 2000 19, I WAS DRIVING TO HARRISBURG FOR WORK AND I HAD MY SON WITH ME AND A WHOLE EGG THAT WAS PRESENTING AT THE CONFERENCE WE WERE HEADED TO. ON THE WAY THERE, ON 22 EAST WHERE THERE WAS A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION BUT A HIGHWAY, I WENT TO GO AROUND A TRUCK WHERE I ACCELERATED AND WENT TO GO INTO THE SLOWER LANE ONCE I PASSED HIM BUT ALL THE SUDDEN, I LOST COMPLETE POWER AND MY CAR SHUT OFF!!! I HURRIED UP AND GOT IT BACK ON AND SOMEHOW THE TRUCK THAT I JUST PASSED WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER BUT IT WAS SUPER SCARY. SADLY, THIS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES ON THE STRIP WHERE MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF SO I JUST STAYED IN THE SLOW LANE AND PRAYED WHILE I WAS IN ONE LANE BECAUSE I CALLED SUBARU AND THEY TOLD ME THAT.. I'M JUST RECALLING ALL THIS NOW BECAUSE I GOT THE RECALL IN THE MAIL. I HAD CALLED SUBARU THE WEEK BEFORE I WENT ON THIS TRIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A FEW IGNITION THING. AND THAT I SHOULD GET GAS AND SEE IF ALL THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF BECAUSE ALL THE LIGHTS AND TURN ON AFTER THE FIRST TIME IT IS SHUT OFF. LONG STORY SHORT, THEY KEPT IT FOR ABOUT A THOUSAND MILES TO TEST IT OUT BECAUSE I WAS ADAMANT THAT I DIDN'T WANT IT BACK UNTIL IT WAS SAFE SO THEY REPLACE THE TIRE SENSOR WHICH I HAD KNOWN FOR MY LAST VEHICLE WOULD NOT CAUSE THE CAR TO SHUT OFF BUT THEY ASSURED ME THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE EXCEPT FOR THE CONTINUED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE INSIDE THE CAR AND WHERE THE CAR RUNS AT NIGHT EVEN AFTER ITS SHUT OFF.

  9. Visibility, Dec 3, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU CROSSTREK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT OCCURRING. THE CONTACT CALLED STATELINE SUBARU AT 508-676-3071 (LOCATED AT 1451 BRAYTON POINT RD, SOMERSET, MA 02725) AND WAS INFORMED TO CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BY PHONE AND EMAIL, BUT NO ONE CALLED BACK. THE CONTACT CALLED AGAIN AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,000. *LN

  10. Visibility/wiper, Dec 2, 2019

    CAME OUTSIDE 11/28/19 TO THE CAR PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED FROM THE BASE OF IT UP 4 INCHES, AND 90 DEGREE ANGLE TURN INTO ANOTHER 12 INCH CRACK.

  11. Visibility/wiper, Nov 29, 2019

    APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE I DROVE TO WORK AND DIDN'T HEAR OR SEE ANYTHING ABNORMAL WHEN I PARKED MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT. ONCE I WAS LEAVING WORK MY WINDSHIELD HAD A SMALL CRACK IN THE LOWER MIDDLE. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST 1200 DOLLARS AND MY EXTRA COVERAGE PLAN DOES NOT INCLUDE WINDSHIELDS. WHEN I WASHED MY CAR, THE CRACK EXPANDED UP THE ENTIRE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. NO FORCE OR EXTREME TEMPERATURES WERE EXPERIENCED THAT COULD EXPLAIN TO ME THE UNUSUAL CRACKING.

  12. Visibility/wiper, Nov 20, 2019

    THE WINDSHIELD HAD A SMALL CHIP IN IT (NOT SURE FROM WHAT). OVER THE COURSE OF TWO DAYS THE CHIP HAD SPREAD TO COVER HALF THE WINDSHIELD. I BELIEVE THE CHIP HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING.

  13. 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.

  14. Other or unspecified, Nov 18, 2019

    THE CAR PARKED WAS FOUND WITH A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD (HORIZONTAL CRACK WITHOUT APPARENT REASON). THE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD SEEMED TO OCCUR SPONTANEOUSLY BECAUSE MY REQUESTED POLICE INVESTIGATION DID NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE ON THE CAUSE OF HARM.

  15. Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2019

    THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS. TWICE IT HAS STOPPED THE CAR FOR NO REASON. I WAS NOT CLOSE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND I WAS NOT SPEEDING. THE SYSTEM APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH CAUSE BOTH MY PASSENGER AND ME TO BE FORCED FORWARD AGAINST THE SEAT BELTS.THE CAR ACTUALLY SKIDDED. WHAT IS WORSE IS THAT THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD NO WARNING THAT I WAS GOING TO BE STOPPED AND ALMOST COULD NOT AVOID A REAR END COLLISION. THIS SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS. I HAVE SHUT IT OFF BUT IT ALWAYS COMES BACK ON WHEN THE CAR IS RESTARTED.

  16. Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2019

    THIS CAR WAS LEASED ON JUNE 3, 2009. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED THAT AT SLOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT OR AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR BOGS DOWN AND SHAKES AND BUCKS. SOMETHING LIKE AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER TRYING TO DRIVE A STICK SHIFT AND NOT KNOWING HOW TO SHIFT SMOOTHLY. THE BUCKING IS VERY NOTICEABLE TO EVERYONE IN THE CAR. EVEN PASSENGERS ASK WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THIS ISSUE IS CONSTANT AND DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ANOTHER DRIVER.

  17. Visibility/wiper, Nov 16, 2019

    WHILE DRIVING A SMALL ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING A CRACK WHICH HAS NOW TRAVELED ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE WAS DRIVING AT APPROX. 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY.

  18. Other or unspecified, Nov 6, 2019

    WHILE DRIVING A 5 WEEK OLD VEHICLE DOWN A STATE HIGHWAY, TWO LANE, 55MPH ROAD, THERE WAS A SMALL "TICK" SOUND THAT WAS VERY INSIGNIFICANT. THE PASSENGER POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NOW A CHIP AND CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE SMALL SOUND, OR OBJECT THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD WAS LESS SIGNIFICANT THAN SOME BUGS THAT HIT ON A DAILY BASIS. YET IT CHIPPED AND CRACKED THE 5 WEEK OLD CROSSTREK WINDSHIELD. THERE'S NO WAY THIS MINOR THING THAT TOUCHED THE WINDSHIELD SHOULD HAVE LEFT A MARK LET ALONE A CHIP AND CRACKS. LATER IN THE SAME WEEK, OUR OUTBACK THAT WAS PURCHASED THE SAME DAY BRAND NEW HAD THE SAME ISSUE, AND IT LEFT A CHIP AND CRACK.. FROM A VERY INSIGNIFICANT LITTLE SOMETHING THAT BARELY HIT THE WINDSHIELD.

  19. Visibility/wiper, Nov 5, 2019

    MY CROSSTREK HAS HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED TWICE SO FAR IN 2019, BOTH DUE TO CRACKS THAT OCCURRED DURING NORMAL DRIVING OPERATION. EACH TIME, THE WINDSHIELD HAD BEEN CRACK FREE BEFORE THE CRACK OCCURRED. BOTH TIMES, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, ALTHOUGH AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS (65 MPH AND 30 MPH).

  20. Visibility/wiper, Nov 1, 2019

    THE WINDSHIELD ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLE HAD AN 8 INCH CRACK SUDDENLY FORM WITHOUT HAVING BEEN STRUCK OR OTHERWISE DAMAGED IN ANY WAY. THE CRACK WAS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD TOWARDS THE CENTERLINE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.

  21. Visibility/wiper, Oct 31, 2019

    THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD IS ICING OVER WITH FROST WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE

  22. Other or unspecified, Oct 31, 2019

    PASSENGER FRONT DOOR, CORNER GLASS SPLINTERED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. UNLIKELY, A ROCK OR DEBRIS IMPACT BECAUSE OF LOCATION. POSSIBLE GLASS TEMPERED ISSUE?

  23. Visibility/wiper, Oct 31, 2019

    WAS SITTING IN MY CAR WAITING IN A PARKING LOT AND I LOOK OUT MY WINDSHIELD AND A CRACK WAS HAPPENING RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY EYES, I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK AND HAD AROUND 300 MILES ON IT

  24. Visibility/wiper, Oct 30, 2019

    WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND SMALL PIECE OF DEBRIS OR ROCK HIT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CAUSING A CRACK. THIS CAR HAS DRIVEN ROUGHLY 4300 MILES. SEEMS AS THOUGH THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS TOO EASILY.

  25. Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019

    SMALL CHIPS AND CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD FROM TINY ROCKS HITTING IT WHILE DRIVING AROUND 35 MILES PER HOUR ON CITY STREETS AND 70 MILES PER HOUR ON HIGHWAYS. THESE CRACKS HAVE HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES FROM SMALL ROCKS AND DEBRIS.