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
284 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, May 7, 2019
CRACK APPEARED IN NEW CAR (6000 MILES) WINDSHIELD AS WE DROVE ALONG HIGHWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 29, 2019
I BOUGHT NEW 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK 3 WEEKS AGO AND I SEE A CRACK DEVELOPED FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD IN THE CENTER FOR NO REASON WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE FOR MORE THAN 36 HOURS.I DIDN'T EXPERIENCE ANYTHING HITTING THE WINDSHIELD, AND ITS SPREADING OVER 2 FT ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR HAS 1,300 MILES ON IT. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD.
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.
Service brakes, Engine, Apr 19, 2019
I AM APPEALING TO YOU FOR HELP WITH A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE ENGINE OF MY NEW 2019 SUBARU CROSSTREK STALLS WHEN I JAM ON THE BREAK. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE ON THE ROAD. BOTH TIMES I WAS ABLE TO AVERT A FATAL ACCIDENT. 1.) THE FIRST TIME THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN FROM A HARD STOP OCCURRED THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 26TH. THE DRIVER WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN HE MADE A SHARP BREAK REALIZING HE'D GONE IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. THE CAR'S ENGINE SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY IT WAS NIGHT AND FEW CARS WERE ON THE ROAD 2.) ON SUNDAY, APRIL 7TH, I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY ON A COUNTRY ROAD. I STOPPED SUDDENLY BEFORE A STOP SIGN I HADN'T SEEN. THE CAR ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO TURN THE ENGINE ON A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE THE CAR GOT GOING. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING ON A COUNTRY ROAD WHERE THERE WERE FEW CARS. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH CERTAIN SUBARU CROSSTREKS. THE SUBARU DEALER IN VESTAL, NY, AND SUBARU AMERICA DID INSPECTIONS ON MY CAR AND CONCLUDED THAT THERE IS NO DATA CONFIRMING THE PROBLEM. I SAY THAT THE READINGS ARE NOT TELLING THE WHOLE STORY. I WANT A COMPLETE DIAGNOSIS AND RESOLUTION TO THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING A SHUTOFF WHEN BREAKING SUDDENLY AND A SOLUTION, WHATEVER THAT MAY BE. I WANT TO BE SAFE ON THE ROAD AS DO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM: HTTP://WWW.SUBARUXVFORUM.COM/FORUM/ENGINE-DRIVETRAIN/163282-ENGINE-STALL-AFER-HARD-BREAKING.HTML?AMP=1 HTTPS://WWW.YOURMECHANIC.COM/ESTIMATES/SUBARU/CROSSTREK/WHEN-I-SLOW-DOWN-AND-STOP-THE-CAR-ENGINE-SHUTS-OFF-INSPECTION
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.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 2, 2019
BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2019 SUBARU CROSSTREK, A CRACK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD JUST APPEARED ONE MORNING AFTER WARMING IT UP IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER, IN MICHIGAN. CRACK STARTED IN THE WIPER HEATING ELEMENT AREA AND THE CRACK SPREAD ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP. NO ROCK CHIPS ARE PRESENT. THE CAR IS JUST OVER 3 MONTHS OLD, 1700 MILES. I READ ELSEWHERE THAT THE NEWER OUTBACKS HAD THE SAME ISSUES. DOES CROSSTREK HAVE THE SAME ISSUES? SUBARU WON'T COVER IT. TOTAL BS.
Electrical system, Mar 29, 2019
MY NEW SUBARU CROSSTREK HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIO PRESET STATIONS. I PROGRAMMED THEM SOON AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR BUT 6 WEEKS LATER THE PRESET STATIONS DISAPPEARED AND ONLY THE PRE-INSTALLED (FREE TRIAL) STATIONS ON SXM RADIO WERE WORKING. I HAD TO REPROGRAM THE STATIONS. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, AUTO FAIR OF HAVERHILL, MA, THEY SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THE 'RECALL' (THEIR TERM NOT MINE) BUT THAT THE RECALL WAS RECALLED DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE 'SOFTWARE UPDATE '. THEY ASKED ME TO CALL AGAIN NEXT WEEK TO SEE IF A SOLUTION IS AVAILABLE
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 4, 2019
CAR HAS REPEATEDLY TURNED ITSELF OFF WHILE DRIVING. TWICE, WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY, ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS (EYESIGHT ALARMS, CHECK ENGINE, ETC.) WILL TURN ON. WHEN THE CAR COMES TO A STOP, THE OIL LIGHT ALSO TURNS ON AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, ESSENTIALLY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE DASH INSTRUCTS TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE CAR STARTS AGAIN AFTER PUSHING THE IGNITION TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURNING IT BACK ON AGAIN, BUT WILL HAVE THE SAME THING HAPPEN THE NEXT TIME THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN. IT HAS TURNED OFF TWICE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, GOING SLOWLY. AFTER THREE FIRST INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND A "FATAL ERROR OF THE ECM" AND THE MAIN COMPUTER IN THE CAR WAS CHANGED AND THE GROUNDS WERE TESTED. THE SECOND INSTANCE OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED ON THE SAME DAY THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM REPAIRS. THE CAR HAD ~200 MILES WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED AND HAS LESS THAN 250 CURRENTLY. IN SUMMARY, THE CAR HAS TURNED OFF, MAKING IT UNABLE TO ACCELERATE, WHILE IN TRAFFIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THERE WERE ISSUES WITH APPLE CARPLAY GLITCHING JUST BEFORE EACH INSTANCE OCCURRED. THE INSTANCES WERE EXACTLY ONE WEEK APART.
Power train, Exterior lighting, Feb 7, 2019
THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AT NIGHT, WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE SET ON "AUTO," THE ILLUMINATED GEAR INDICATOR LIGHT ADJACENT TO THE SHIFTER DO NOT ILLUMINATE. THIS LEAVES THE POSSIBILITY OF SHIFTING THE CAR INTO THE WRONG GEAR. THESE LIGHTS DO ILLUMINATE WITH THE LIGHTS SET TO MANUAL. THE SPECIFIC INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN AN OLDER DRIVER PARKED THE VEHICLE, THINKING SHE HAD SHIFTED INTO PARK, AND INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REVERSE. HAD SHE BEEN ABLE TO VISUALLY VERIFY THE GEAR, THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.