2018 Subaru CROSSTREK: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
194 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
18,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 117 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility/Wiper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 64 of 194 complaints (33.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 8.8% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 7.2% |
| Engine operation | 13 | 6.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 4.6% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 4.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 64 |
| Unknown Or Other | 41 |
| Engine | 32 |
| Electrical System | 31 |
| Power Train | 14 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 |
| Structure:Body | 9 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 7 |
Visibility/Wiper: 64; Unknown Or Other: 41; Engine: 32; Electrical System: 31; Power Train: 14; Vehicle Speed Control: 13; Structure:Body: 9; Visibility:Windshield: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 73 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 27 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 73; 25,000 to 49,999: 27; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (73). 77 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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2019 | 29 |
| 2020 | 44 |
| 2021 | 34 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 8 |
2017: 2; 2018: 23; 2019: 29; 2020: 44; 2021: 34; 2022: 18; 2023: 17; 2024: 12; 2025: 7; 2026: 8
Pattern summary
Visibility/Wiper leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 17 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 13 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 11029930 · 2017-09-26 (September 26, 2017)
PURCHASED NEW 2018 CROSSTREK WITH HARMAN KARDON PREMIUM AUDIO SYSTEM. AFTER ONE WEEK THERE WAS A CONSTANT STATIC BUZZ COMING FROM THE DOOR SPEAKER ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE, EVEN WHEN THE AUDIO SYSTEM WAS TURNED OFF. DEALER SAYS THAT THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE AMPLIFIER.
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 11029930 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11035261 · 2017-10-20 (October 20, 2017)
UPON STARTING THE CAR, THE RADIO BLARES AFTER A FEW SECONDS, WHEN BACKING UP, FOR INSTANCE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. ACCORDING TO SUBARU, THAT'S THE WAY IT'S DESIGNED. I THINK ITS A SAFETY HAZARD, AS THE FIRST MOMENTS WHEN DRIVING CAN REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION (WHEN BACKING UP, FOR INSTANCE), AND THE RADIO BLARING WITHOUT WARNING CAN BE DISCONCERTING AND JARRING. CAN THIS BE CONSIDERED A DESIGN FLAW, AND THE VEHICLES WITH THIS NEW SYSTEM RECALLED?
Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 11035261 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11064426 · 2018-01-23 (January 23, 2018)
HEAD UNIT FREEZES. CANNOT ADJUST RADIO VOLUME OR CHANGE STATIONS. MUST SHUTDOWN VEHICLE FOR A FEW MINUTES TO ALLOW COMPUTER TO REBOOT. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS SITUATION OCCURS.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11064426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11072072 · 2018-02-10 (February 10, 2018)
THE CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD AND RECHARGED BY SUBARU ROADSIDE ASSIST. WE RAN THECARFOR 40 MINUTES. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. WE CALLED THE RYE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED THERE. THE PERSON WHO CHARGED THE BATTERY THE FIRST TIME TOLD US THAT SUBARU'S HAVING A LOT OF CALLS FORDEADBATTERIES BUT NOTADMITTING THERE'S A PROBLEM
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11072072 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11072919 · 2018-02-14 (February 14, 2018)
SUBARU'S SAFETY SYSTEM EYESIGHT THAT USES ACROSS MULTIPLE MODELS INCLUDING MY 2018 CROSSTREK HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT PREVENTED THE HUMAN DRIVER TO BE ALERTED. THE EYESIGHT SAFETY WARNING AUDIO ALERT DOES NOT INTERRUPT THE AUDIO FROM THE RADIO UNIT, IN ADDITION THE AUDIO WARNING SOUND LEVEL IS VERY LOW DESPITE THE MAX SETTING ON THE SYSTEM. MY CELL PHONE'S RINGER VOLUME IS MUCH LOUDER THAN THE SUBARU'S EYESIGHT VOLUME. DURING THE NORMAL MUSIC LISTENING I CAN'T EVEN HEAR THE SAFETY WARNINGS (REAR CROSS TRAFFIC, FORWARD WARNING, AND LANE ALE…
Owner-reported narrative. 450 miles reported. Look up ODI 11072919 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11090076 · 2018-04-25 (April 25, 2018)
WATER IS COLLECTING UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUT TOWER DUST COVER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CAUSING RUST/CORROSION OF THE STRUT SHAFT/NUT AND STRUT TOWER POCKET. VEHICLE NEW AND HAS LESS THAN 4000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11090076 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11090081 · 2018-04-25 (April 25, 2018)
WATER COLLECTING IN FRONT DOORS AND NOT DRAINING OUT OF DOOR WHEN PARKED FACING UPHILL. THE DRAIN HOLES IN THE FRONT DOORS ARE NOT LOCATED IN THE REAR CORNER OF THE DOOR. IF THE VEHICLE IS ON AN INCLINE FACING UPHILL, WATER CAN NOT ESCAPE THE REAR CORNERS OF THE DOOR INTERIOR UNTIL THE VEHICLE OR DOOR IS LEVEL.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11090081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11090261 · 2018-04-26 (April 26, 2018)
MY SAFETY CONCERN WITH THE 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK RESULTS FROM A HUGE AMOUNT OF ENGINE REV HANG ( REV HANG - A HIGH (OR 'HANGING') ENGINE RPM AFTER DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL. REFERENCE - SUBARU OUTBACK SB# 11-174-17R DATED 6 23 17 ) WHEN SHIFTING UP THROUGH THE LOWER GEARS. AS A RESULT OF REV HANG, IT IS ESSENTIALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THIS CAR SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT SEVERELY ABUSING THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE PROBLEM IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WHILE UP-SHIFTING FROM FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, WHERE REV…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11090261 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V701000 · Service Brakes | Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
Reported: 2017-11-07 (November 7, 2017)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Crosstrek vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect floor mat retention bracket, allowing the floor mat to move out of position and interfere with the accelerator or brake pedal operation.
Consequence: If the floor mat moves out of position and interferes with the accelerator or brake pedal operation, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mat retention bracket and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTR-77.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V743000 · Electrical System:Software | Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 2019-10-18 (October 18, 2019)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
Consequence: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V744000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)
Reported: 2019-10-17 (October 17, 2019)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Consequence: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V263000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 2021-04-15 (April 15, 2021)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
Consequence: Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-21.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V264000 · Electrical System:Software | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm):Software | Electrical System:Ignition | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Reported: 2021-04-15 (April 15, 2021)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.
NHTSA campaign record ↗