ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2013 Subaru Xv Crosstrek
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 96 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Subaru Xv Crosstrek, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 291 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 9 |
| May 2015 | 2 | 11 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 12 |
| Sep 2015 | 2 | 14 |
| Oct 2015 | 1 | 15 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 16 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 17 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 18 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 19 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 20 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 21 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 22 |
| May 2018 | 1 | 23 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 24 |
| Oct 2018 | 2 | 26 |
| Nov 2018 | 1 | 27 |
| Jan 2019 | 4 | 31 |
| Feb 2019 | 1 | 32 |
| Mar 2019 | 2 | 34 |
| May 2019 | 1 | 35 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 | 36 |
| Aug 2019 | 3 | 39 |
| Sep 2019 | 2 | 41 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 42 |
| Dec 2019 | 2 | 44 |
| Jan 2020 | 1 | 45 |
| Feb 2020 | 3 | 48 |
| Apr 2020 | 1 | 49 |
| May 2020 | 2 | 51 |
| Jun 2020 | 2 | 53 |
| Jul 2020 | 3 | 56 |
| Sep 2020 | 2 | 58 |
| Nov 2020 | 2 | 60 |
| Dec 2020 | 2 | 62 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 63 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 64 |
| May 2021 | 3 | 67 |
| Jun 2021 | 2 | 69 |
| Jul 2021 | 1 | 70 |
| Mar 2022 | 1 | 71 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 72 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 73 |
| Jul 2022 | 2 | 75 |
| Aug 2022 | 3 | 78 |
| Dec 2022 | 1 | 79 |
| Jun 2023 | 1 | 80 |
| Aug 2023 | 1 | 81 |
| Sep 2023 | 1 | 82 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 83 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 84 |
| Sep 2024 | 1 | 85 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 86 |
| Nov 2024 | 1 | 87 |
| Dec 2024 | 2 | 89 |
| Jan 2025 | 1 | 90 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | 91 |
| Sep 2025 | 1 | 92 |
| Dec 2025 | 1 | 93 |
| Mar 2026 | 1 | 94 |
| Apr 2026 | 2 | 96 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine3529.2%
- Powertrain (other)2117.5%
- Electrical1411.7%
- Steering97.5%
- Driver assistance86.7%
- Other / unspecified75.8%
- Brakes65.0%
- Visibility65.0%
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
2 campaigns 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.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
When the car is put in park the key will not come out of the ignition. Sometimes to be removed from ignition. Therefore the key will get stuck. The transmission has to be put back in drive and then back into park for the ignition system to recycle and release the key.sometimes it takes about 2 or 3 times to get the key out. I have had to turn the car on put it in drive then park push the lock switch then turn the car off. I have been told that Subaru knows the problem exists. No recalls have been made.
- NHTSA ID
- 11730297
- Incident
- Mar 1, 2026
I have been working with Subaru of America and Capital Subaru service in San Jose, CA for a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek XV 2.0 CVT automatic engine shortly after we bought it used for multiple faulty known engine problems with this specific make and model. Since we have owned the vehicle, we have not been able to drive it for more than 2 months short distance at a time due to engine, Valve body, major low oil pressure problems, and multiple sensor issues. This vehicle has been very dangerous for us to drive and has left us stranded not to mention paying the bank we financed payments to for a car we have been unable to use since purchasing. Subaru of America and Capital Subaru in San Jose have been awful, insensitive, and unhuman to our concerns and needs. We had to call them several times and were repeatedly ignore both parties for several days without any answers or any solutions. We have spent many sleepless nights worrying about not having a vehicle to get to work and my daughter who drove the car when she could in Nursing school with the burden of having no transportation and all the stress and worrying. There is a long history of defected engines because of the poor way these were built for our specific year, and we were told repeatedly that it was the lack of maintenance from the previous owner being the cause of the issues when that in fact is a lie as we have several maintenance records routinely. I will never buy or recommend these defected and lemon cars again especially when it involves the safety of your life! Having to tow to and from our home to the dealership service parts was a big waste of time and a joke just to hear, "We are sorry but nothing is covered and your liable for the diagnostic and fixing for your car that will be $5,800 which our car was only worth $5,600 through Kelly blue book and we still owe a remainder of $9,000 to the financing bank.
- NHTSA ID
- 11730251
- Incident
- Apr 4, 2026
Within 10 days of purchasing this vehicle a certified Subaru dealership documented the following safety defects. Both front CV axles failing and clicking on turns creating loss of vehicle control risk. EPS electronic power steering fault codes creating safety critical steering concern. CAN bus communication fault U0073 affecting multiple vehicle safety systems simultaneously. CVT transmission fluid critically low at 1 to 2 quarts. These defects were professionally documented by Subaru of Portland certified technicians on [XXX] at 113,494 miles. Repair quote for safety related defects totals $7,516.51. Vehicle was sold by Overland Automotive LLC 2900 SE Cornelius Pass Rd Ste 105 Hillsboro OR 97123 with these defects undisclosed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11723030
- Incident
- Feb 9, 2026
I was t-boned on 11/7 on the driver side door of the car. My car is totaled and the airbags, knee and curtain did not deploy and I was hit almost dead on on the B pillar. Unknown if the problem has been reproduced by the dealer.My knee is still hurting from the accident and my head smacked the frame.The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, but has by police, insurance, and others. All said the airbags should have deployed. There were no warning lights or otherwise to notify me that the airbags would not work.
- NHTSA ID
- 11705923
- Incident
- Nov 7, 2025
The engine stalled unexpectedly during operation. I noticed a sudden loss of power, and the vehicle shut off without warning. This has happened more than once, posing a safety concern.
- NHTSA ID
- 11684352
- Incident
- Sep 1, 2025
THE ENGIN MALFUNCTIONED. MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS WAS AT RISK BECAUSE WHEN AN ENGIN FAILS WHILE DRIVING IT CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS CRASH. THE VALVE SPRING WHICH IS LOCATED INSIDE THE ENGIN OF THE VEHICLE DID FRACTURE WHICH RESULTED IN THE ENGIN STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. AN ENGIN STALL WHILE DRIVING WILL INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS, THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY A SUBARU DEALER SERVICE MANAGER.
- NHTSA ID
- 11664303
- Incident
- May 12, 2025
The dashboard light says that the airbag is OFF, while it is occupied by a large teenager (over 100lbs) in the Right Front passenger seat. Teenager was buckled into moving vehicle when this concern was observed. Front Right passenger airbag has never been deactivated by owner/driver. Took car to be inspected at a Subaru dealer on 13Aug24, but Subaru techs unable to replicate problem at time of visit and reported no known recall notice for this problem. Since inspection, problem has reoccurred randomly.
- NHTSA ID
- 11638232
- Incident
- Aug 13, 2024
The fan in my car, that controls the heat/air-conditioning, went out causing my windows to fog up since it was raining & I couldn't use the dehumidifier. I couldn't see & had to manually wipe my windshield several times & drive with my hazard lights on in order to get the car home. There were no warning lights on the dashboard. I took the car to a mechanic shop on another day, when they could not find the problem through a diagnostic the mechanic took apart the dashboard & that's when he found the wires connected to the control panel were melting/overheating. He said it was very dangerous because it could cause the car to catch fire. He said he had to leave the wires disconnected to prevent the car catching fire until the wires and control panel could be replaced. When I looked up if others were having the same problem, I found other Subaru Crosstrek owners with the same issue and many of them stated it happened again after replacing the affected parts. The control panel is not a wear-and-tear part so I was told I would have to get it from a Subaru dealership. I have not been able to take it to a Subaru dealership yet due to the weather but the car is available for inspection upon request. It has not been inspected yet by anyone besides my mechanic.
- NHTSA ID
- 11632206
- Incident
- Dec 16, 2024
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.
This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
POWER TRAIN
This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20.
POWER TRAIN
This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
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
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.