US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained
Subaru Crosstrek recall history and complaint patterns
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Subaru Crosstrek,
sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Subaru Crosstrek. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Subaru Crosstrek,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 2012–2025 with 20 recall campaigns and 1394 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 2019 (7), 2018 (5), and 2024 (2).
Years with the most complaint volume: 2019 (345), 2018 (246), and 2016 (163).
Top recall themes: Electrical, Brakes, and Fuel and emissions.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Visibility/wiper, Electrical system, Engine.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Electrical
3 campaigns · Years: 2018–2019, 2024
These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Subaru Crosstrek in NHTSA complaint data are
Visibility/wiper, Electrical system, Engine.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
2025
0
23
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Visibility/wiper, Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior, Air bags.
2024
2
107
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Steering.
2023
0
42
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Visibility/wiper, Engine, Electrical system.
2022
0
41
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Visibility/wiper, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking.
2021
1
135
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility/wiper, Engine, Electrical system.
2020
0
73
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Visibility/wiper, Electrical system, Power train.
2019
7
345
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility/wiper, Electrical system, Engine.
2018
5
246
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility/wiper, Engine, Electrical system.
2017
1
132
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility/wiper, Electrical system, Power train.
2016
1
163
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Power train, Steering.
2015
1
27
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Engine, Service brakes.
2014
1
22
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Vehicle speed control, Electrical system.
2013
1
35
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Electrical system, Exterior lighting.
2012
0
3
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Exterior lighting.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Electrical system
, Exterior lighting
and Power train
Show recall evidence by year
2024
Electrical system: Instrument cluster/panel:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek and Impreza vehicles. Due to insufficient clearance, the instrument panel harness may contact the steering beam bracket, damaging the wire insulation and causing a short circuit.
Power train: Driveshaft:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
2021
Power train: Park/neutral start interlock switch:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
2019
Steering: Electric power assist system:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Visibility: Glass, side/rear:
Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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."
Electrical system: Software:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Engine and engine cooling: Crankcase (pcv):
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Seat belts: Rear/other:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Suspension: Rear:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Electrical system: Software:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
2018
Service brakes:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Electrical system: Software:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Engine and engine cooling: Crankcase (pcv):
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 whil
Suspension: Rear:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Electrical system: Software:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
2017
Exterior lighting: Switch:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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, preventin
2016
Exterior lighting: Switch:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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, preventin
2015
Exterior lighting: Switch:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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, preventin
2014
Exterior lighting: Switch:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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, preventin
2013
Exterior lighting: Switch:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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, preventin
Other Subaru Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Subaru models.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
