UsedScore

2018 Subaru Crosstrek: Solid

Owners filed 146 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek in its first five years on the road, about 108 for every 100,000 sold: 1.2× the rate of a typical Crosstrek year. That's close to a typical year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (47% of complaints, median 21,000 miles).

Complaint index
1.2×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Crosstrek year
Rank
8th of 9
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
146
first five years; 108 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
5
campaigns
2nd generation, 2018–2023 (first year of the generation; redesign years often run worse) · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2019 Subaru Crosstrek Premium

Photo: 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Premium · Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Visibility47% · 69 complaints · median 21,000 miles
  2. Engine16% · 24 complaints · median 5,000 miles
  3. Electrical13% · 19 complaints · median 8,000 miles
  4. Powertrain8% · 11 complaints · median 6,000 miles
  5. Speed control5% · 7 complaints · median 19,000 miles
  6. Brakes3% · 4 complaints
  7. Body and structure5% · 8 complaints · median 20,000 miles
  8. Steering3% · 4 complaints
  9. Wheels and tires1% · 2 complaints
  10. Air bags1% · 1 complaints

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Electrical

Owners of this model report a mix of electrical issues, from batteries that repeatedly die or drain to infotainment systems that freeze and occasional stalling. Dealers have replaced parts like batteries, starters, and control modules, though some owners say the problems kept recurring.

Warning signs:
Owners report warning lights on the dash, frozen or unresponsive touchscreens, dead batteries after sitting a few days, and sudden stalling or loss of power sometimes with all warning lights illuminated.
What shops did:
Dealers have replaced batteries, radios, starters, ECMs, and DCMs, performed software updates, and in some cases could not identify or permanently resolve the issue.
Mileage:
most between 0 and 25,000 miles, among 17 complaints that give it

“Head unit freezes. Cannot adjust radio volume or change stations.”

“vehicle engine shut off without warning. loss of power, no steering and all warning lights illuminated.”

Engine

Owners describe their Crosstrek stalling or hesitating during acceleration, sometimes leaving them stranded in traffic or unable to merge safely. Dealers have replaced parts like ignition coils or reprogrammed the ECM, but several owners say the problem returned or was never fully resolved.

Warning signs:
Many report hesitation or stumbling around 2000 RPM, jerking, rough idle, dashboard warning lights, unusual noises, or smoke before the engine lost power or stalled.
What shops did:
Dealers often reprogrammed or replaced the ECM, replaced ignition coils, spark plugs, or a fuse, though several say the issue returned or couldn't be duplicated.
Mileage:
most between 0 and 25,000 miles, among 18 complaints that give it

“driving at moderate pace between 30 and 40 mph when vehicle engine shut off without warning. loss of power, no steering and all warning lights illuminated.”

“the vehicle started shaking violently. No check engine light came on though. When the light turned green, the vehicle was barely able to move forward then it completely stalled”

Visibility

Owners of the 2018 Crosstrek report windshields cracking unexpectedly, whether parked, driving, or after only light contact from small debris, with cracks that spread quickly across the glass. Many say the cracks appeared without any clear cause, and replacement or EyeSight recalibration was often costly and not always covered.

Warning signs:
Many notice a small chip, pop, or cracking sound, sometimes near the defroster or wiper area, before a crack quickly lengthens across the windshield.
What shops did:
Some had the windshield replaced, occasionally with EyeSight camera recalibration, though several report dealers said the damage was not covered under warranty or couldn't determine a cause.
Mileage:
most between 10,000 and 35,000 miles, among 59 complaints that give it

“The windshield has cracked with no impact or damage to cause the crack”

“I have had 6 rock chip since I have owned this car”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (5)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 21V263000April 2021408,271 vehicles

    Suspension: rear

    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.

    Risk: Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 21V264000April 2021466,205 vehicles

    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

    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.

    Risk: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: 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.

  • NHTSA 19V743000October 2019466,205 vehicles

    Electrical system: software · Electrical system: ignition

    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.

    Risk: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V744000October 2019205,000 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)

    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.

    Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 17V701000November 20172,367 vehicles

    Service brakes · Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

    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.

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mat retention bracket and replace it if necessary, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Subaru sent NHTSA 518 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2018 Crosstrek. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • SubaruNet Announcement (C · August 2026This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
  • 15-308-23R · August 2026This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to…
  • 15-304-22R · August 2026This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns.
  • Article Locator · August 2026Techtips newsletter locator index.
  • 15-333-25R · August 2026This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
  • 09-123-24R · July 2026This bulletin announces the design change made to the high-pressure fuel pump developed to prevent DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure – Too Low Bank 1).
  • 09-81-21R · July 2026This bulletin announces design changes made to the fuel injector in response to the DTCs listed.
  • 02-193-24R · June 2026This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g.

All 2018 Crosstrek bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
Owners filed 146 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek in its first five years on the road, about 108 for every 100,000 sold: 1.2× the rate of a typical Crosstrek year. That's close to a typical year. Ratings compare Crosstrek years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2018 Crosstrek problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (47%), the engine (16%) and the electrical system (13%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, the most recent in April 2021 (suspension). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Subaru. The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek on NHTSA.gov · How we rate