MYRModel Year Report

2019 Subaru Crosstrek

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2019 Subaru Crosstrek
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Crosstrek Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2019 highlighted. 2012: 2 complaints 2012 2013: 25 complaints 2014: 16 complaints 2014 2015: 17 complaints 2016: 131 complaints 2016 2017: 94 complaints 2018: 194 complaints 2018 2019: 279 complaints 2019 2020: 68 complaints 2020 2021: 108 complaints 2022: 28 complaints 2022 2023: 32 complaints 2024: 104 complaints 2024 2025: 41 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
2019: 279 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20122
201325
201416
201517
2016131
201794
2018194
2019279
202068
2021108
202228
202332
2024104
202541
20263

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

VISIBILITY/WIPER 41%

41% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 113 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING ON A WOODED TREE LINED STREET AT APPROX. 40MPH, THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW IMPLODED. THE GLASS SHATTERED AND FELL ONTO MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS IN HER CAR SEAT. GLASS PIECES DID CAUSE MINOR SCRATCH ON HER FOREARM.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190828

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 50 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I sent my Crosstrek to the dealer for the WRE21 recall. After retrieving the car from the dealership with the recall fix in place, the engine stalled while I was at a red light and I could see smoke coming out from the hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241112

ENGINE 12%

12% of complaints: engine — 33 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I sent my Crosstrek to the dealer for the WRE21 recall. After retrieving the car from the dealership with the recall fix in place, the engine stalled while I was at a red light and I could see smoke coming out from the hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241112

VEHICLE IN MOTION ,ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING , AND COLLIDED INTO A TREE LOCATED ON CURB OF SIDEWALK, NO INJURIES TO 2 OCCUPANTS WEARING SEATBELTS, MAJOR DAMAGE TO FRONT OF VEHICLE. NO EXPLANATION FOR VEHICLE MOVING UNEXPECTLY

NHTSA ODI report, 20200806

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 22 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I sent my Crosstrek to the dealer for the WRE21 recall. After retrieving the car from the dealership with the recall fix in place, the engine stalled while I was at a red light and I could see smoke coming out from the hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241112

PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK,TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, REMOVED THE KEY AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. WHEN RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE WITHIN 5 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED BACKWARDS 25 FEET AND HIT 2 PARKED CARS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200319

STEERING 5%

5% of complaints: steering — 15 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2019 — complaint volume: 279
R 20190207 — steering

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.

Remedy: None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet. Subaru has notified dealers and they will inspect the steering gearbox, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019.

Campaign 19V065000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190611 — visibility

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The driver's side rear-door window glass may be improperly tempered.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side rear-door window glass, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUG-92.

Campaign 19V404000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191204 — electrical system

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge.

Campaign 19V743000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200131 — engine and engine cooling

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge.

Campaign 19V856000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200415 — seat belts

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.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. The began April 15, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-20.

Campaign 20V189000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210517 — suspension

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.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Campaign 21V263000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210601 — electrical system, engine and engine cooling

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.

Remedy: 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. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021.

Campaign 21V264000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2019 Subaru Crosstrek — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for visibility/wiper issues (113 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (50 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (33 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 19V065000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V404000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V743000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V856000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V189000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V263000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V264000 (electrical system, engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2020

WORST YEARS

◆ 2018 ◆ 2016 ● 2021

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek?

The most-reported component is visibility/wiper, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.