2018 Subaru Crosstrek problems and recalls

Owners have filed 194 complaints on the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, and NHTSA has issued 5 recalls. The most cited component is the Visibility/Wiper (64 complaints).

194
Complaints
5
Recalls
10
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
1
Injuries
39.1
Severity index

Severity index 39.1 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 39.1p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 98 of 122 by severity index among 2018 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 20% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2018 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 64 complaints (33.0%)64 33%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 41 complaints (21.1%)41 21%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 32 complaints (16.5%)32 16%EngineEngine: 32 complaints (16.5%)32 16%Power TrainPower Train: 14 complaints (7.2%)14 7%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 13 complaints (6.7%)13 7%StructureStructure: 10 complaints (5.2%)10 5%VisibilityVisibility: 9 complaints (4.6%)9 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
VISIBILITY/WIPER6433.0%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4121.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3216.5%
ENGINE3216.5%
POWER TRAIN147.2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL136.7%
STRUCTURE105.2%
VISIBILITY94.6%

Complaints filed per year

022442017: 22018: 232019: 292020: 442021: 342022: 182023: 172024: 122025: 72026: 8 (partial year)1718192044212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20172
201823
201929
202044
202134
202218
202317
202412
20257
2026 (year to date)8
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.4x those in 2020 to 2022 (36 against 96).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
19V74400017/10/2019ENGINE 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
21V26300015/04/2021SUSPENSION:REARSubaru 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.
21V26400015/04/2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARESubaru 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.
19V74300018/10/2019ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARESubaru 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.
17V70100007/11/2017SERVICE BRAKESSubaru 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.

Other Subaru Crosstrek model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 10 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.