2013 Subaru CROSSTREK: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10935572 · 2016-12-15 (December 15, 2016)
4TH SEAT OF REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT BULBS SO FAR (LOW BEAMS) SINCE NEW. ORIGINAL OWNERS, NO ACCIDENTS, NO AFTERMARKET ITEMS. THEY BOTH BURN AT THE SAME TIME. YOU ONLY NOTICE IT ONCE ITS DARK OUTSIDE AT YOU TRY TO DRIVE HOME FROM WORK AND NO LOW BEAMS.
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10935572 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 10993346 · 2017-06-06 (June 6, 2017)
LEFT CONSTANT VELOCITY (CV) JOINT HAS FAILED AFTER ONLY 66K MILES. DURING TURNS THE CAR MAKES A LOUD CLICKING NOISE THAT IS DISTRACTING AND I WAS CONCERNED THE CAR MAY INFLICT MORE DAMAGE TO THE DRIVE SYSTEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 66,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10993346 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10995484 · 2017-06-16 (June 16, 2017)
2 WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS SINCE MAY 2013 DUE TO CHIPS/CRACKS. 21K MILES PER YEAR AVERAGE DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS A LARGE CRACK THAT APPEARED ON 6/13/17. THERE WAS NO CRACK WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AT 6/12. WHEN I LEFT WORK THE MORNING OF 6/13/17 THERE WAS A 6 INCH CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE TEMP HAD A ROUGHLY 25 DEGREE F SWING FROM HOT TO COLD WITH RAIN OVERNIGHT. THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THE CROSSTREK WINDSHIELD BEING MORE FRAGILE IN THIS REGARD THAT OTHER CARS. IN…
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10995484 at NHTSA ↗
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 11021331 · 2017-09-04 (September 4, 2017)
WHEN TURNING RIGHT HEARD CLICKING SE FROM RIGHT FRONT; GARAGE REPLACED AXLE 74,141 MILES. WAS TOLD BY 1ST GARAGE THAT THIS WAS THEIR 3RD 2013 CROSSTREK IN THE LAST MONTH THAT WAS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. SUBARU DEALER TOLD ME THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF A PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 74,141 miles reported. Look up ODI 11021331 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 ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V149000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2019-02-28 (February 28, 2019)
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.
Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗