2013 Subaru Crosstrek problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (8) · Power Train (4) · Service Brakes (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Crosstrek model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2019-02-28 · campaign 19V149000 · 1,303,530 vehicles
Defect: 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, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Service bulletins (277)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-09-14 · 15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of infotainment concerns. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Power Train 2026-08-20 · 16-156-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin announces a design change made to the cvt control valve body. the updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 277 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-08 · Power Train“the contact owns a 2013 subaru crosstrek. the contact stated that while driving, the transmission seized, causing the vehicle to come to a sudden stop. the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel, and the vehicle went into limp mode. the vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a…”
2021-10-13 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:fuel Gauge:fuel Level Float/Sensor/Sending Unit · 1,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 subaru crosstrek. the contact stated that after refueling with the fuel tank at 3/4 tank full, the fuel gauge failed to provide the correct fuel level. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the fuel sending tank, but the failure continued to occur. the contact indicated that the failure had caused fuel leaka…”
2019-07-26 · Electrical System · 210,000 mi · 🔥 fire“car parked and some electrical wire? caused car to catch fire? the back drivers side of the hatchback/trunk area was burnt/ melted through to the metal and the wires around the back window on inside were hanging down and hot plastic dripped down onto a box of papers that were in the hatchback. the papers had black burnt spot on them but fortunatel…”
2019-07-17 · Service Brakes · 10 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2013 subaru crosstrek. while driving 20 mph, the contact pumped the brake pedal several times, but the vehicle would not brake or stop. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the vehicle eventually came to a complete stop after multiple attempts. the contact took the vehicle to an unknown dealer to be diagnosed and rep…”
2019-06-27 · Engine“my vehicle was recalled. i contacted the local subaru dealership and subaru directly and they both stated that due the the volume of cars affected they were not taking any new appointments until 2020 and to call them back in 2020. the issue is with the valve springs in the engine. a fracture in the spring could cause engine failure. i want subar…”
2019-06-14 · Exterior Lighting“tl* the contact owns a 2013 subaru crosstrek. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 19v149000 (exterior lighting) and 18v772000 (engine and engine cooling). the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for recall repairs. duff subaru (1028 s roane st, harriman, tn 37748, (865) 882-0113) was co…”
2019-06-06 · Engine“dealer not able to fix recall problem until aug. 28 2019 due to backlog can not renew registration until fixed…”
2019-05-17 · Engine · 145,941 mi“after replacing valve springs at the subaru dealership due to a recall, now oil is mixed in the coolant. problem appeared same day as we picked the car from dealership upon completion off recall issue. after explained the problem to them they replace coolant again to test see if the problem continues. the problem continues but now they claim pre…”
2019-05-14 · Engine · 27,000 mi“i recieved a recall notice in dec. 2018. i called my dealer to make an appointment. i was told the next appointment would be december 2020. i was told the appointment would be moved up but that has not happened. the only way to get it done earlier would be to take it to the dealer and use a loaner or rental car until fixed, approximately one mo…”
2019-04-09 · Engine“subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 , , xv crosstrek the engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall. its been months and still no response from any subaru dealership regrding my subaru.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.