2013 Subaru Xv Crosstrek problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (19) · Engine (19) · Steering (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Xv Crosstrek model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
51 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2018-11-01 · campaign 18V772000 · 165,534 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.
Equipment 2013-02-25 · campaign 13V061000 · 47,419 vehicles
Defect: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 201
Risk: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Service bulletins (300)
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.
Electrical System 2026-08-20 · 15-308-23R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service information bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 300 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-03 · Power Train“on [xxx], while driving on public roads in west allis, wisconsin, the vehicle's dashboard warning lights began flashing and the transmission stopped shifting. the vehicle became stuck in a low/first-gear-type condition and would not drive normally. this was a sudden loss of normal motive power during operation. the driver was stranded roadside and …”
2026-09-20 · Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness“nuna rava convertible car seat, model cs05107rfd, manufactured 10/15/2021, purchased jan 2022. harness failure after completing the remedy for recall 24c-002. both of my seats had never shown any harness problem before the recall notice. in 2025, i received the remedy kit for both and followed the instructions to clean the harness adjuster and repl…”
2026-04-09 · Electrical System“when the car is put in park the key will not come out of the ignition. sometimes to be removed from ignition. therefore the key will get stuck. the transmission has to be put back in drive and then back into park for the ignition system to recycle and release the key.sometimes it takes about 2 or 3 times to get the key out. i have had to turn the…”
2026-04-09 · Power Train“i have been working with subaru of america and capital subaru service in san jose, ca for a 2013 subaru crosstrek xv 2.0 cvt automatic engine shortly after we bought it used for multiple faulty known engine problems with this specific make and model. since we have owned the vehicle, we have not been able to drive it for more than 2 months short dis…”
2026-03-09 · Unknown Or Other“within 10 days of purchasing this vehicle a certified subaru dealership documented the following safety defects. both front cv axles failing and clicking on turns creating loss of vehicle control risk. eps electronic power steering fault codes creating safety critical steering concern. can bus communication fault u0073 affecting multiple vehicle sa…”
2025-12-18 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“i was t-boned on 11/7 on the driver side door of the car. my car is totaled and the airbags, knee and curtain did not deploy and i was hit almost dead on on the b pillar. unknown if the problem has been reproduced by the dealer.my knee is still hurting from the accident and my head smacked the frame.the vehicle has not been inspected by the manufac…”
2025-09-01 · Engine“the engine stalled unexpectedly during operation. i noticed a sudden loss of power, and the vehicle shut off without warning. this has happened more than once, posing a safety concern. …”
2025-06-02 · Engine“the engin malfunctioned. my safety and the safety of others was at risk because when an engin fails while driving it can cause a serious crash. the valve spring which is located inside the engin of the vehicle did fracture which resulted in the engin stalling while driving and was not able to be restarted. an engin stall while driving will increas…”
2025-01-24 · Air Bags“the dashboard light says that the airbag is off, while it is occupied by a large teenager (over 100lbs) in the right front passenger seat. teenager was buckled into moving vehicle when this concern was observed. front right passenger airbag has never been deactivated by owner/driver. took car to be inspected at a subaru dealer on 13aug24, but s…”
2024-12-23 · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System“the fan in my car, that controls the heat/air-conditioning, went out causing my windows to fog up since it was raining & i couldn't use the dehumidifier. i couldn't see & had to manually wipe my windshield several times & drive with my hazard lights on in order to get the car home. there were no warning lights on the dashboard. i took the car to a …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.