UsedScore

2020 Subaru Crosstrek: Best bet

Owners filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek in its first five years on the road, about 45 for every 100,000 sold: 0.6× the rate of a typical Crosstrek year. That's among the fewest of any Crosstrek year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (60% of complaints, median 5,000 miles).

Complaint index
0.6×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Crosstrek year
Rank
2nd of 10
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
55
first five years; 45 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
1
campaign
2nd generation, 2018–2023 · Updated November 9, 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. Visibility60% · 33 complaints · median 5,000 miles
  2. Electrical13% · 7 complaints
  3. Powertrain7% · 4 complaints
  4. Seats and belts2% · 1 complaints
  5. Speed control2% · 1 complaints
  6. Brakes2% · 1 complaints
  7. Engine5% · 3 complaints
  8. Fuel and propulsion4% · 2 complaints
  9. Body and structure4% · 2 complaints
  10. Driver assistance2% · 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 Crosstrek report batteries draining or dying, stalls, and auto stop-start or starter failures that leave the car unable to restart at stops. Dealers have replaced parts like batteries and coils, but some owners say the problem kept recurring.

Warning signs:
Owners report warning lights, dashboard messages, dead or weak batteries, a beeping alert, or a stall right before the failure.
What shops did:
Dealers replaced batteries, fuses, coils, or cleared warning lights, though in several cases the underlying problem returned or was never fully diagnosed.

“the dashboard lights suddenly flashed and then engine stalled, leaving me with no brakes and no steering”

“the starter failed and battery fully died after failing to start from a stop”

Powertrain

Owners report transmission or CVT failures, some repeated within a few thousand miles, plus rear differential failures on hybrids. Several describe sudden power loss or noises with little warning, and some say they want warranty coverage extended to 2020.

Warning signs:
Owners report whining or moaning at low speeds, hesitation, grinding or clunking while turning, metal shavings in differential oil, and sudden loss of acceleration, often with no warning lights.
What shops did:
Owners say dealers or shops replaced transmissions, valve bodies or rear differentials, sometimes repeatedly, while one dealer called the power loss a safety feature and another owner's vehicle was never repaired.

“Transmission failed at 62,000 miles out of gear on freeway. No power to get into shoulder.”

“The failure caused grinding and drivetrain resistance while turning.”

Visibility

Owners describe windshields (and occasionally a moonroof or side window) cracking or shattering suddenly, often without any apparent rock strike or impact. Some got replacements covered by dealers or insurance, while others struggled to get the issue diagnosed or repaired.

Warning signs:
Some owners report hearing a sudden pop, crack, or loud noise, or discovering a crack or chip after parking, with no warning signs beforehand.
What shops did:
Some owners had the windshield replaced or repaired by the dealer or an independent shop or insurance, while others had not yet had it inspected or repaired.
Mileage:
most under 10,000 miles, among 23 complaints that give it

“There was a loud explosion. After stopping in a safe location, I discovered the moon roof had shattered into tiny pieces.”

“The sunroof violently shattered allowing glass to rain down on the driver and passenger.”

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

Recalls (1)

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.

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 437 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2020 Crosstrek. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • SubaruNet Announcement (T · October 2026This is an update announcement regarding the TechShare & NorthStar Integration - CVT Diag.
  • SubaruNet Announcement (S · October 2026This announcement provides information on the connected services platform for Subaru EVs.
  • 15-344-26 · October 2026This bulletin provides a step-by-step diagnostic procedure for resolving Remote Engine Start (RES) failures for both Telematics and remote engine start equipped vehicles.
  • 15-304-22R · October 2026This Service Information Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns.
  • SubaruNet Announcement (Q · October 2026This announcement provides information on DCM replacememts due to a parasitic draw.
  • 19-05-26 · October 2026This Bulletin announces the availability of the Hybrid Battery Junction Block Assembly and relays.
  • 16-152-26 · October 2026This Service Information Bulletin announces the availability of ThreeBond 1216J (SOA868V9640) designed for the following transmission applications: TR690, TH58A, TH2A, TH2B and TR580.
  • 16-154-25R · October 2026This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for TR690 and TR580 CVT-equipped vehicles.

All 2020 Crosstrek bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
Owners filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek in its first five years on the road, about 45 for every 100,000 sold: 0.6× the rate of a typical Crosstrek year. That's among the fewest of any Crosstrek 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 2020 Crosstrek problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (60%), the electrical system (13%) and the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (7%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2020 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 November 9, 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 2020 Subaru Crosstrek on NHTSA.gov · How we rate