RoadVitals

2013 Subaru Crosstrek

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
25
Latest Oct 13, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Feb 28, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

Overview

Our database contains 25 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and exterior lighting categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 267 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1134.4%
  • Electrical515.6%
  • Exterior lighting39.4%
  • Powertrain (other)39.4%
  • Brakes26.3%
  • Seat belts13.1%
  • Suspension13.1%
  • Airbags13.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V149000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Feb 28, 2019
1,303,530 units potentially affected
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
The risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
The remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number WUE-90View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 25
Electrical
Filed Oct 13, 2021

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that after refueling with the fuel tank at 3/4 tank full, the fuel gauge failed to provide the correct fuel level. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the fuel sending tank, but the failure continued to occur. The contact indicated that the failure had caused fuel leakage and spillage while adding fuel to the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,000.

NHTSA ID
11436584
Incident
Oct 1, 2013
Mileage
1,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 26, 2019
Fire reported

CAR PARKED AND SOME ELECTRICAL WIRE? CAUSED CAR TO CATCH FIRE? THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE OF THE HATCHBACK/TRUNK AREA WAS BURNT/ MELTED THROUGH TO THE METAL AND THE WIRES AROUND THE BACK WINDOW ON INSIDE WERE HANGING DOWN AND HOT PLASTIC DRIPPED DOWN ONTO A BOX OF PAPERS THAT WERE IN THE HATCHBACK. THE PAPERS HAD BLACK BURNT SPOT ON THEM BUT FORTUNATELY DID NOT ALL BURN. THERE WAS A DARK BLACK BROWN SPOT ON THE BACK WINDOW DRIVERS SIDE ON THE INSIDE AND THERE WAS SOOT ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE AND INSIDES OF THE WINDOWS. IT GOT SO HOT THAT THE TRUNK COULD NOT BE OPENED. NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED IT. I WAS PARKED IN MY WORK PARKING LOT. I GOT TO WORK AT 7 PM AND GOT OUT OF WORK AROUND 938 AM. THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED THANKFULLY. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. ALL THE DAMAGE WAS ON THE INSIDE. MY HUSBAND IS CAR OWNER.

NHTSA ID
11235188
Incident
Jul 25, 2019
Mileage
210,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Jul 17, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU CROSSTREK. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BRAKE OR STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE UNKNOWN DEALER IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS AND THE REPAIR SPECIFICS WERE NOT DISCLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO STAR SUBARU (206-26 NORTHERN BLVD, BAYSIDE, NY 11361, (833) 271-0487) WHERE THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO EAST HILLS SUBARU (1039 NORTHERN BLVD, ROSLYN, NY, (866) 391-1314), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). BOTH DEALERS STATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY THE CONTACT WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10.

NHTSA ID
11232902
Incident
May 1, 2013
Mileage
10 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 27, 2019

MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND SUBARU DIRECTLY AND THEY BOTH STATED THAT DUE THE THE VOLUME OF CARS AFFECTED THEY WERE NOT TAKING ANY NEW APPOINTMENTS UNTIL 2020 AND TO CALL THEM BACK IN 2020. THE ISSUE IS WITH THE VALVE SPRINGS IN THE ENGINE. A FRACTURE IN THE SPRING COULD CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE. I WANT SUBARU TO REPLACE IT NOW, PAY ME TO HAVE IT FIXED SOMEWHERE ELSE OR REPLACE MY CURRENT SUBARU WITH A FAIR VALUE TRADE-IN. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND AVOID BE ILLEGAL. ON TOP OF THAT, THE RESPONSES FROM BOTH THE LOCAL AND CORPORATE OFFICES IS ALSO UNACCEPTABLE. THEY SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED.

NHTSA ID
11223061
Incident
Jun 15, 2019
EngineExterior lighting
Filed Jun 14, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR RECALL REPAIRS. DUFF SUBARU (1028 S ROANE ST, HARRIMAN, TN 37748, (865) 882-0113) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF CONSUMER STATED SUBARU SAID CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE - NO HELP DEALER BACKED UP FOR REPAIR. APPROX 6 MONTH WAIT FOR SERVICE REPAIR COMPLETED. TRADE IN A NISSAN. *JB

NHTSA ID
11220044
Incident
Jun 10, 2018
Engine
Filed Jun 6, 2019

DEALER NOT ABLE TO FIX RECALL PROBLEM UNTIL AUG. 28 2019 DUE TO BACKLOG CAN NOT RENEW REGISTRATION UNTIL FIXED

NHTSA ID
11218325
Incident
Jan 10, 2019
Engine
Filed May 17, 2019

AFTER REPLACING VALVE SPRINGS AT THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP DUE TO A RECALL, NOW OIL IS MIXED IN THE COOLANT. PROBLEM APPEARED SAME DAY AS WE PICKED THE CAR FROM DEALERSHIP UPON COMPLETION OFF RECALL ISSUE. AFTER EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THEM THEY REPLACE COOLANT AGAIN TO TEST SEE IF THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES BUT NOW THEY CLAIM PREEXISTING CONDITION!!! IMAGINE THAT! PLEASE IS THERE ANY ADVISE BEFORE WE SICK LEGAL ACTION. WE ARE AFRAID CAR WILL OVER HEAT NAD BURN ENGINE OR CATCH FIRE!

NHTSA ID
11208251
Incident
Apr 15, 2019
Mileage
145,941 mi
Engine
Filed May 14, 2019

I RECIEVED A RECALL NOTICE IN DEC. 2018. I CALLED MY DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. I WAS TOLD THE NEXT APPOINTMENT WOULD BE DECEMBER 2020. I WAS TOLD THE APPOINTMENT WOULD BE MOVED UP BUT THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT DONE EARLIER WOULD BE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND USE A LOANER OR RENTAL CAR UNTIL FIXED, APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH. I LIVE 80 MILES FROM THE CLOSEST DEALER. I DON'T FEEL IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA ID
11207547
Incident
Dec 19, 2018
Mileage
27,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SubaruNet Annoucement (E

This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.

16-156-25R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN

This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the orignal bulletin.)

01-167-08R

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

16-156-25R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN

This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.

SubaruNet Announcement (R

POWER TRAIN

This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

07-240-26R

This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru Crosstrek by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026800—
2025430044.0
20241082055.2
2023320046.9
2022290042.1
20211121048.7
2020680043.4
20192837051.9
20181945052.1
2017941042.5
20161311040.4
2015171031.0
2014161044.0
2013Viewing251041.7
2012200—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.