2019 Subaru Crosstrek problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (112) · Electrical System (26) · Power Train (19)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Crosstrek model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
179 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (7)
Suspension:rear 2021-04-15 · campaign 21V263000 · 408,271 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-21.
Electrical System:software 2021-04-15 · campaign 21V264000 · 466,205 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.
Seat Belts:rear/Other 2020-03-31 · campaign 20V189000 · 4,862 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) 2019-12-02 · campaign 19V856000 · 51,613 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.
Electrical System:software 2019-10-18 · campaign 19V743000 · 466,205 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.
Visibility:glass, Side/Rear 2019-05-30 · campaign 19V404000 · 256 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The driver's side rear-door window glass may be improperly tempered. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."
Risk: Improperly tempered glass can shatter into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2019-02-06 · campaign 19V065000 · 10,417 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUC-88.
Service bulletins (538)
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.
Power Train 2026-09-28 · SubaruNet Announcement (T · Other
this announcement provides information on an enhancement of the techshare cvt diagnostic assitance application.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Electrical System 2026-09-18 · 18-244-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"this bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following dtcs: dtc c1956: rh actuator circuit dtc c1957: lh actuator circuit"
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 538 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-07 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“2019 subaru crosstrek brakes failed unintended acceleration crash into handicap metal post.…”
2026-08-15 · Wheels“recently, aug 13 we took the 2019 crosstrek to the to the subaru center for oil change and a general inspection. two big problems revealed. 1. recommend replacing both rear wheel bearings due to noise while driving $2,249. 2. recommend replacing all 4 tpms sensors due to low voltage codes present and no data $813.50. the car mileage is 46,191. …”
2026-08-04 · Engine“my engine overheated at 125,000 miles roughly and 2025 and this year the engine oil is leaking into the coolant tank at 135,000 miles. …”
2026-07-28 · Power Train“while driving, my dashboard warning lights on my 2019 subaru crosstrek—at oil temp, eyesight, and lane assist—illuminated simultaneously with a sudden onset of transmission slippage and erratic shifting, with no prior warning symptoms. the vehicle experienced a sudden mechanical failure of the continuously variable transmission (cvt) torque convert…”
2026-07-21 · Electrical System · 100 mi“the contact owns a 2019 subaru crosstrek. the contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the battery failed to remain charged. during the failure, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. no further information was available. the cause of the failure was not yet determined. the local dealer was notified of the failure. the manufacturer was …”
2026-07-15 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i own a 2019 subaru crosstrek hybrid with recurring fuel-system and evap failures that i believe present a serious safety risk. on 12/9/2025, the vehicle experienced a total loss of motive power while i was driving in dense traffic on a busy expressway. the vehicle suddenly lost propulsion in the middle lane and slowed down to a near crawl, creati…”
2026-07-05 · Vehicle Speed Control“since purchasing my 2019 subaru crosstrek brand new in 2019, the vehicle has suffered from a chronic and dangerous lack of acceleration. it consistently fails to gain speed as expected. this issue becomes life-threatening when attempting to merge onto highways. the vehicle is incapable of accelerating quickly enough to match the speed of oncoming …”
2026-06-25 · Electrical System · 31,500 mi“the contact owns a 2019 subaru crosstrek. the contact stated that while driving and stopping on a red light at around 25 mph, vehicle was shaking till it completely stalled. the vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic where it was diagnosed with ignition coil failure and pending repairs. the contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign …”
2026-06-17 · Electrical System“2019 subaru crosstrek; battery is drained even when car is fully turned "off". if the car is not driven every day, battery may drain completely and car won't start. if not driven for several days, battery will discharge so low that it is damaged, in which case it may not have sufficient charge to start the car after sitting overnight. after bat…”
2026-05-13 · Wheels“wheel bearing failure resulting in replacement of the bearing and the integral hub at a cost of ~$750 (independent service center diagnosed and replaced the failed unit). vehicle had only 42,000 miles and had developed a "rumble" which was thought to be related to seasonal temperature changes/tire tread. sudden/catastrophic seizing of a failed wh…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.