UsedScore

2019 Subaru Crosstrek: Avoid

Owners filed 245 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek in its first five years on the road, about 182 for every 100,000 sold: 2.0× the rate of a typical Crosstrek year. That's more than twice a typical year, across more than one problem area.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (49% of complaints, median 12,000 miles).

Complaint index
2.0×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Crosstrek year
Rank
9th of 9
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
245
first five years; 182 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
8
campaigns
2nd generation, 2018–2023 · 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. Visibility49% · 120 complaints · median 12,000 miles
  2. Engine11% · 26 complaints · median 8,000 miles
  3. Electrical15% · 37 complaints · median 7,000 miles
  4. Powertrain6% · 15 complaints · median 14,000 miles
  5. Brakes2% · 5 complaints
  6. Fuel and propulsion4% · 11 complaints · median 7,000 miles
  7. Steering4% · 11 complaints · median 4,000 miles
  8. Speed control2% · 5 complaints
  9. Seats and belts2% · 4 complaints
  10. Body and structure2% · 6 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 describe their Crosstreks stalling or losing power unexpectedly, often tied to battery drain, ignition coil, or ECM problems. Many say batteries were replaced repeatedly without fully fixing the issue, and some mention related recalls or bulletins.

Warning signs:
Owners report dashboard warning lights, clicking or buzzing sounds, radio or touchscreen resets, and rear-view camera freezes before or during the failures.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced batteries, sometimes multiple times, reprogrammed or replaced the ECM, and in some cases could not reproduce or resolve the problem.
Mileage:
most between 0 and 25,000 miles, among 25 complaints that give it

“The vehicle has some sort of electrical "leakage" issue that drains the battery after sitting for a few days”

“Today my vehicle make a single click sound and the car rattle a little while driving on the highway and suddenly everything shut off”

Engine

Owners describe their 2019 Crosstrek engines stalling or shutting off unexpectedly, sometimes with a total loss of power while driving. Many say the issue recurs even after dealers replace ignition coils or update the ECM.

Warning signs:
Many report hesitation or stuttering on acceleration, dashboard warning lights, or rough idling before the engine cuts out or stalls.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced ignition coils, ECM units or software, though some owners say technicians could not find a cause or the stalling recurred after repairs.
Mileage:
most between 0 and 20,000 miles, among 19 complaints that give it

“While driving down interstate highway, lots of warning lights suddenly appeared on dashboard. Car would only brake, not accelerate.”

“While slowing down to a stop an exit ramp with a signal, the engine suddenly shut off, and the vehicle became immobile.”

Visibility

Owners of this Crosstrek commonly describe windshields that crack or chip easily, sometimes spreading rapidly after a small pebble strike or even without any noticeable impact. Repairs and replacements are often costly, especially with the EyeSight camera system, and coverage is frequently denied by dealers.

Warning signs:
Many describe a popping, ping, or ting sound before noticing a crack, and some report the crack spreading rapidly within minutes, hours, or after washing or defrosting the car.
What shops did:
Owners report windshields being repaired or replaced at their own cost, with some dealers replacing them free and others declining coverage or unable to diagnose the cause.
Mileage:
most between 5,000 and 20,000 miles, among 94 complaints that give it

“The driver's side front windshield cracked without impact.”

“Windshield is very easily cracked or chipped from the smallest pebbles hitting it while going even 35 MPH.”

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

Recalls (8)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 23V080000February 20238,413 vehicles

    Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Crosstrek Hybrid vehicles. The harness terminal that supplies low-voltage power from the converter to the 12-Volt battery may corrode and break, preventing the 12-Volt battery from charging.

    Risk: A 12-Volt battery that is unable to recharge can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the converter terminal mounting bracket.

  • 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 20V189000March 20204,862 vehicles

    Seat belts: rear/other

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.

    Risk: In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V856000December 201951,613 vehicles

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

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, 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 replace the PCV valve, 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 19V404000May 2019256 vehicles

    Visibility: glass, side/rear · Visibility

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The driver's side rear-door window glass may be improperly tempered. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."

    Risk: Improperly tempered glass can shatter into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side rear-door window glass, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V065000February 201910,417 vehicles

    Steering: electric power assist system

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.

    Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet.

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 548 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2019 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 2019 Crosstrek bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
Owners filed 245 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek in its first five years on the road, about 182 for every 100,000 sold: 2.0× the rate of a typical Crosstrek year. That's more than twice a typical year, across more than one problem area. 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 2019 Crosstrek problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (49%), the engine (11%) and the electrical system (15%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek, the most recent in February 2023 (electrical system). 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 2019 Subaru Crosstrek on NHTSA.gov · How we rate