2018 Subaru Crosstrek: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 194 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 5 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
194
Complaints
5
Recalls
10
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
1
Injuries
27.8
Severity index
Severity index 27.8 - Low. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 121 2018 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek ranks 98 of 121 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 19% of its model-year peers. See the full 2018 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 64 | 33.0% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 41 | 21.1% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 32 | 16.5% |
| ENGINE | 32 | 16.5% |
| POWER TRAIN | 14 | 7.2% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 13 | 6.7% |
| STRUCTURE | 10 | 5.2% |
| VISIBILITY | 9 | 4.6% |
The single most-reported system is VISIBILITY/WIPER, cited in 64 of 194 complaints (33.0%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2019 | 29 |
| 2020 | 44 |
| 2021 | 34 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 8 |
Complaint volume is declining, consistent with a defect that was addressed by recall or that affected early builds.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V744000 | 17/10/2019 | 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 |
| 21V263000 | 15/04/2021 | 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. |
| 21V264000 | 15/04/2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE | 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. |
| 19V743000 | 18/10/2019 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE | 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. |
| 17V701000 | 07/11/2017 | SERVICE BRAKES | 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. |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.