Subaru Crosstrek Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Subaru Crosstrek model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2012 drew the fewest (2) and the 2019 the most (284).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
8 | 0 | Unknown or other | — | 26–36 |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
16 | 1 | Power train | — | 30 |
| 2015 Among the fewest complaints |
17 | 1 | Power train | — | 31 |
| 2013 | 26 | 1 | Engine | — | — |
| 2022 | 31 | 0 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 25–30 |
| 2023 | 34 | 0 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 25–35 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
44 | 0 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 27–29 |
| 2020 | 69 | 0 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 25–35 |
| 2017 | 94 | 1 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 26–29 |
| 2021 | 115 | 1 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 25–35 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
119 | 2 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 27–29 |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
132 | 1 | Electrical system | 5★ | 31 |
| 2018 Among the most complaints |
195 | 5 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 25–29 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
284 | 7 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 25–35 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Subaru Crosstrek years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2019 Subaru Crosstrek: 284 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility/wiper 113 (40%); Electrical system 53 (19%); Engine 34 (12%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 10,542 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek: 195 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility/wiper 64 (33%); Electrical system 32 (16%); Engine 32 (16%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 18,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Subaru Crosstrek: 132 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 37 (28%); Power train 18 (14%); Engine 14 (11%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 38,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
The Subaru Crosstrek years with the fewest complaints
2012 Subaru Crosstrek: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 2 (100%); Exterior lighting 1 (50%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Subaru Crosstrek: 16 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 7 (44%); Electrical system 2 (13%); Engine 2 (13%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 60,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2015 Subaru Crosstrek: 17 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 6 (35%); Engine 5 (29%); Service brakes 3 (18%).
Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 50,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Subaru Crosstrek owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 44 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 119 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 10,100 |
| 2023 | 34 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 115 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2,460 |
| 2020 | 69 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5,200 |
| 2019 | 284 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 10,542 |
| 2018 | 195 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 18,000 |
| 2017 | 94 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 28,000 |
| 2016 | 132 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 38,000 |
| 2015 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2014 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2013 | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Subaru Crosstrek recalls
- Brake Lights May Not Illuminate (2013–2017 model years; 1,303,530 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2019; 19V149000)
- ECM Software May Cause Stall (2018–2019 model years; 466,205 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2021; 21V264000)
- ECM Software May Cause Stall (2018–2019 model years; 466,205 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2019; 19V743000)
- Rear Stabilizer Bracket Bolts May Detach (2018–2019 model years; 408,271 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2021; 21V263000)
- PCV Valve May Separate (2018 model year; 205,000 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2019; 19V744000)
All 13 Subaru Crosstrek recall campaigns · Subaru Crosstrek problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Subaru Crosstrek years FAQ
Which Subaru Crosstrek year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2012 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Subaru Crosstrek years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2019, 2018 and 2016 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the visibility/wiper. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Subaru Crosstrek problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the visibility/wiper (292 of 1,186 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Subaru Crosstrek have?
NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns covering the Subaru Crosstrek. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Subaru Crosstrek recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.