2020 Subaru Crosstrek problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (30) · Power Train (11) · Electrical System (6)
🧭 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
31 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (406)
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 406 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-27 · Power Train“transmission failed at 62,000 miles out of gear on freeway. no power to get into shoulder. . i took it to dealer, they said it needed new transmission. i then took it to a specialist which ran diagnostic and said valve body/solenoid need replacement so i had the work done. now at 63,000 2 months later same issue happened on the freeway. specialist …”
2026-10-26 · Power Train“failing camshaft carrier seals causing oil leaks. this issue as a known issue to subaru engines in many models and no recalls have been made. this issue can cause a fire in the engine if not render over time. this vehicle has less than 60k miles with barely 5 years. other models are failing with the same issue, if not with lower milage. …”
2026-09-12 · Electrical System“i own a 2020 subaru crosstrek. while driving on the freeway in heavy traffic, i had to make a hard stop due to traffic ahead. when the vehicle came to a complete stop, the engine automatically shut off as part of the vehicle’s auto start-stop system. when i released the brake to proceed with traffic, the vehicle attempted to restart, but displayed …”
2026-05-14 · Power Train“defect description my 2020 subaru crosstrek has been diagnosed with diagnostic trouble code p2757 (torque converter clutch pressure control solenoid control circuit performance), which my authorized subaru 802 subaru retailer in vermont has confirmed is caused by a defective cvt control valve body. subaru of america has acknowledged this exact def…”
2026-05-11 · Electrical System“while driving 2020 crosstrek hybrid, the dashboard lights suddenly flashed and then engine stalled, leaving me with no brakes and no steering. i rolled through straight through an intersection with four stop signs and i could not stop. luckily no one was driving or walking at the time. i couldn't start car, even with a jump start. i bought a new…”
2026-05-11 · Power Train“my 2020 subaru crosstrek cvt valve body equipment failure and cvt torque converter failure. this appears to be a common failure for prior subaru crosstrek model - however was not extended for coverage to 2020 and beyond models - appears the issue still persists and additional year models should be covered. my vehicle experience the same failure for…”
2026-05-06 · Engine“my 2020 subaru crosstrek experienced a sudden loss of motive power and stalled due to a blown ignition fuse. diagnostic code p1604 (startability malfunction) was stored. inspection by wayne subaru (invoice #25340) confirmed the cylinder 3 ignition coil had shorted and physically melted. this is the exact failure mode described in subaru safety reca…”
2026-03-20 · Service Brakes“beginning one year after buying this used 2020 subaru crosstrek base trim the starter failed and battery fully died after failing to start from a stop. the engine was off due to the auto-stop system and failed upon lifting my foot from the brake on a slight incline, causing a constant warning beep and a starter system failure message on the dash di…”
2026-02-25 · Power Train“the rear differential on my phev crosstrek failed around 31,500 miles. my spouse was driving under 30mph and turning, and heard a clunking/popping/metal-on-metal sound that persisted intermittently for the remainder of the drive home. since then on 1/8/26, the sound has been aggravated and persistent, every 45 seconds or so while driving, mostly wh…”
2025-10-15 · Seat Belts · 💥 crash“at miami airport, with ample space behind the vehicle in front, a pickup truck with a very long sloping ramp trailer to carry several cars pulled into the stated space. the lefthand side rear of the trailer being well below my line of vision hit my bumper on the passenger side. my insurance provided gps confirmed i was driving at 16 mph at the time…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.