2013 Subaru CROSSTREK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
68,050 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 25 complaints (44.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 16.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 16.0% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 12.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 12.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 11 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | 1 |
Engine: 11; Electrical System: 4; Exterior Lighting: 3; Power Train: 3; Service Brakes: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2016: 2; 2017: 5; 2018: 6; 2019: 11; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11000317 · 2017-06-20 (June 20, 2017)
THE CAR WOULD LOSE A QUART OF ANTI FREEZE EVERY 7500 MILES.I BROUGHT IT IN AT LEAST 8 TIMES TELLING THEM THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THEY PRESSURE TESTED THE VEHICLE AT LEAST 8 TIMES AND 2 SERVICE MANAGERS SAID I WAS NUTS THEY ARE BOTH FIRED. MY 20 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVES FROM NEW YORK TO FLORIDA. I ASKED A SERVICE MANAGER WHEN THE CAR HAD APPROX, 55K TO GIVE THIS CAR TO A MECHANIC, SERVICE WRITER OR HIM SELF TO GO ON VACATION WITH A FREE CAR. THE SERVICE MANAGER DECLINED SAYING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND WOULD NOT LET ANYBODY TAKE THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 74 miles reported. Look up ODI 11000317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11119716 · 2018-08-13 (August 13, 2018)
SOLENOID VALVE IN CVT CRACKED AFTER 6.5 YEARS OF USE (ROUGHLY 140K - 160K MILES). GOT IT FIXED, THEN 1 YEAR LATER (ANOTHER 40K - 20K MILES), IT WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS TIME THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BOTH TIMES I WAS ACCELERATING. THE FIRST TIME FROM A STOP, AND SECOND TIME I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 70 MPH.
Owner-reported narrative. 186,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11119716 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10939108 · 2017-01-02 (January 2, 2017)
ECO-WIRING MADE OF MATERIALS THAT ATTRACT ANIMALS. A RODENT CHEWED THROUGH MY WIRING HARNESS. $800 WORTH OF DAMAGE THAT COULD BE PREVENTED. CAR IS INOPERABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 32,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10939108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11111350 · 2018-07-14 (July 14, 2018)
2013 SUBARU CROSSTREK(70K MILES) PASSENGER DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. WITHIN 3 MINUTES OF SMELLING SMOKE INSIDE DOOR PANEL WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WENT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY, TURNED ENGINE OFF, PUT OUT THE FLAMES, WAITED FOR THE SMOKE TO CLEAR AND THE PLASTIC TO COOL OFF. UPON RESTARTING VEHICLE SPARKS AND SMOKE VISIBLE SO TURNED VEHICLE OFF. CUT THE RED(+) WIRES, RESTARTED VEHICLE(NO SMOKE), DROVE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. OBVIOUSLY A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, NONE OF THE FUSES POPPED. HAD A PASSENGER BEEN IN THE PASSENGER SEAT I'M S…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11111350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11184811 · 2019-03-07 (March 7, 2019)
CALLED EL PASO, TX SUBARU DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE FIX OF SAFETY RECALL WTY-84. FIRST TIME ON 1/14/19 AND 1/16/19. TOLD BOTH TIMES SOMEONE WOULD GET BACK WITH ME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. CALLED TODAY, 3/7/19 AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A LIST, APPROXIMATELY 15 PEOPLE AHEAD OF ME ON THIS LIST, FOR THE SAFETY RECALL AND THAT I AM NOT ON THAT LIST AND IT COULD TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 1 TO 2 WEEKS TO GET MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE REPAIR AND THAT WASN'T A GUARANTEE. I HAVE NOT TAKEN MY VEHICLE ON ANY LONG DISTANCE TRIPS IN FEAR THAT THE ENGINE MAY STA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11184811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11191480 · 2019-03-25 (March 25, 2019)
I WOULD LIKE ANSWER TO WHY THE CVT WAS GIVEN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IF THERE IS A FUTURE RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION DUE TO STALLING? I NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE 10 YEAR OR 100,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. MY CAR IS ABOVE THAT (123,000 MILES). I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH IT AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CVT PROBLEMS AND THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS OVER $8,000. THE SUBARU DEALER TOLD ME THEY AREN'T EVEN ALLOWED SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION... IS THIS DUE TO THE PROBLEMS? I AM A SINGLE MOTHER ON A TEACHER'S SALARY THAT SAVED…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11191480 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10910864 · 2016-09-30 (September 30, 2016)
AFTER 73,000 MILES OF MOSTLY NON-PEAK HIGHWAY MILES THE BREAK LIGHT SWITCH FAILED. THIS CAUSED MY BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE LIGHTS DIDN'T WORK UNTIL AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE. THE DASH HILL ASSIST, ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY DURING DRIVING FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND THEN WERE CONSTANT WHEN IT FINALLY FAILED COMPLETELY.
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10910864 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11074526 · 2018-02-23 (February 23, 2018)
PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE AT WORK, GOING NO MORE THAN 5 MPH. VEHICLES LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT TREE. THE ENGINE SEEMED TO SLOW DOWN AND THEN REVVED SUDDENLY. ALTHOUGH I HIT THE BRAKES, VEHICLE DID NOT STOP.
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11074526 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11436584 · 2021-10-13 (October 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11436584 at NHTSA ↗