Subaru · Crosstrek · 2013
1
Recall
25
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2013 Subaru Crosstrek has 1 recall and 25 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: engine (8 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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 FORTUNATELY DID NOT ALL BURN. THERE WAS A DARK BLACK BROWN SPOT ON THE BACK WINDOW DRIVERS SIDE ON THE INSIDE AND THERE WAS SOOT ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE AND INSIDES OF THE WINDOWS. IT GOT SO HOT THAT THE TRUNK COULD NOT BE OPENED. NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED IT. I WAS PARKED IN MY WORK PARKING LOT. I GOT TO WORK AT 7 PM AND GOT OUT OF WORK AROUND 938 AM. THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED THANKFULLY. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. ALL THE DAMAGE WAS ON THE INSIDE. MY HUSBAND IS CAR OWNER.
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 SUBARU TO REPLACE IT NOW, PAY ME TO HAVE IT FIXED SOMEWHERE ELSE OR REPLACE MY CURRENT SUBARU WITH A FAIR VALUE TRADE-IN. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND AVOID BE ILLEGAL. ON TOP OF THAT, THE RESPONSES FROM BOTH THE LOCAL AND CORPORATE OFFICES IS ALSO UNACCEPTABLE. THEY SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED.
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 PREEXISTING CONDITION!!! IMAGINE THAT! PLEASE IS THERE ANY ADVISE BEFORE WE SICK LEGAL ACTION. WE ARE AFRAID CAR WILL OVER HEAT NAD BURN ENGINE OR CATCH FIRE!
I WOULD LIKE ANSWER TO WHY THE CVT WAS GIVEN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IF THERE IS A FUTURE RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION DUE TO STALLING? I NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE 10 YEAR OR 100,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. MY CAR IS ABOVE THAT (123,000 MILES). I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH IT AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CVT PROBLEMS AND THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS OVER $8,000. THE SUBARU DEALER TOLD ME THEY AREN'T EVEN ALLOWED SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION... IS THIS DUE TO THE PROBLEMS? I AM A SINGLE MOTHER ON A TEACHER'S SALARY THAT SAVED UP FOR TWO YEARS PRIOR TO PURCHASING THIS USED VEHICLE THREE YEARS AGO (2016). I FINALLY PAID OF MY CAR LAST MONTH AND WAS SO EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO FINALLY NOT HAVE A CAR PAYMENT AND BE ABLE TO FINALLY SAVE MORE MONEY FOR MY SON'S COLLEGE. NOW, I CAN'T EVEN SAFELY DRIVE MY SON TO SCHOOL OR MYSELF TO WORK IN MY SUBARU. WHY ARE ONLY THE LIVES OF PEOPLE'S CAR WHOSE MILEAGE UNDER 100,000 TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT? IF I CHOOSE TO CONTINUE DRIVING MY CAR AS IT IS, I RISK MY CAR STALLING OR TRANSMISSION FAILING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IF I DON'T DRIVE IT, I RISK MISSING WORK AND NOT BEING ABLE TO FEED MY SON. IT SEEMS LIKE SUBARU IS LOOKING OUT FOR THEIR BOTTOM LINE BY ISSUING A WARRANTY ON A KNOWN PROBLEM, RATHER THAN TAKING NECESSARY STEPS TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
CALLED EL PASO, TX SUBARU DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE FIX OF SAFETY RECALL WTY-84. FIRST TIME ON 1/14/19 AND 1/16/19. TOLD BOTH TIMES SOMEONE WOULD GET BACK WITH ME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. CALLED TODAY, 3/7/19 AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A LIST, APPROXIMATELY 15 PEOPLE AHEAD OF ME ON THIS LIST, FOR THE SAFETY RECALL AND THAT I AM NOT ON THAT LIST AND IT COULD TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 1 TO 2 WEEKS TO GET MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE REPAIR AND THAT WASN'T A GUARANTEE. I HAVE NOT TAKEN MY VEHICLE ON ANY LONG DISTANCE TRIPS IN FEAR THAT THE ENGINE MAY STALL AND I'D BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AN ACCIDENT. ASKED TO SPEAK TO SERVICE MANAGER TO ADDRESS MY CONCERNS, BUT HE WASN'T IN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. OCEAN SUBARU (1100 S EUCLID ST, FULLERTON, CA 92832, (888) 428-2419) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
DEALER NOT ABLE TO FIX RECALL PROBLEM UNTIL AUG. 28 2019 DUE TO BACKLOG CAN NOT RENEW REGISTRATION UNTIL FIXED
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.
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 MONTH. I LIVE 80 MILES FROM THE CLOSEST DEALER. I DON'T FEEL IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU CROSSTREK. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. THE RPMS WERE REGISTERING HIGH, THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING WITH THE INDICATOR FLASHING ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND WANTED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE FOR A FEE. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) RELATED TO THE ENGINE VALVE STEM. THE DEALER (RAMSEY SUBARU, 9625 HICKMAN RD, URBANDALE, IA 50322, (515) 320-8781) STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR WITHOUT THE CONTACT HAVING A RECALL LETTER. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE MILITARY AND HAD MOVED SEVERAL TIMES, WHICH WAS WHY HE DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL LETTER DATED OCTOBER 31, 2018. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL AND TO CONTACT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
THE SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT TURNS IN THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT SENSOR FOR WELL UNDER THE DESIGNED THRESHOLD. AS AN EXAMPLE IT TRIGGERED FOR TWO 20 OUNCE BOTTLES OF SODA. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET.
SOLENOID VALVE IN CVT CRACKED AFTER 6.5 YEARS OF USE (ROUGHLY 140K - 160K MILES). GOT IT FIXED, THEN 1 YEAR LATER (ANOTHER 40K - 20K MILES), IT WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS TIME THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BOTH TIMES I WAS ACCELERATING. THE FIRST TIME FROM A STOP, AND SECOND TIME I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 70 MPH.
2013 SUBARU CROSSTREK(70K MILES) PASSENGER DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. WITHIN 3 MINUTES OF SMELLING SMOKE INSIDE DOOR PANEL WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WENT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY, TURNED ENGINE OFF, PUT OUT THE FLAMES, WAITED FOR THE SMOKE TO CLEAR AND THE PLASTIC TO COOL OFF. UPON RESTARTING VEHICLE SPARKS AND SMOKE VISIBLE SO TURNED VEHICLE OFF. CUT THE RED(+) WIRES, RESTARTED VEHICLE(NO SMOKE), DROVE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. OBVIOUSLY A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, NONE OF THE FUSES POPPED. HAD A PASSENGER BEEN IN THE PASSENGER SEAT I'M SURE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT. PICKED UP THE VEHICLE YESTERDAY AND PAID 2K OVER INSURANCE ESTIMATE. NOW HAVING TO SQUEEZE THE INSURANCE FOR THE DIFFERENCE SINCE I DIDN'T TAKE IT TO THEIR SUGGESTED REPAIR SHOP AND SUBARU OF AMERICA WOULD NOT PAY FOR DAMAGE DUE TO POOR WORKMANSHIP/FAULTY PARTS. ANYONE ELSE HAVE PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS?
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 CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF CONSUMER STATED SUBARU SAID CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE - NO HELP DEALER BACKED UP FOR REPAIR. APPROX 6 MONTH WAIT FOR SERVICE REPAIR COMPLETED. TRADE IN A NISSAN. *JB
PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE AT WORK, GOING NO MORE THAN 5 MPH. VEHICLES LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT TREE. THE ENGINE SEEMED TO SLOW DOWN AND THEN REVVED SUDDENLY. ALTHOUGH I HIT THE BRAKES, VEHICLE DID NOT STOP.
WHEN TURNING RIGHT HEARD CLICKING SE FROM RIGHT FRONT; GARAGE REPLACED AXLE 74,141 MILES. WAS TOLD BY 1ST GARAGE THAT THIS WAS THEIR 3RD 2013 CROSSTREK IN THE LAST MONTH THAT WAS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. SUBARU DEALER TOLD ME THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF A PROBLEM.
2 WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS SINCE MAY 2013 DUE TO CHIPS/CRACKS. 21K MILES PER YEAR AVERAGE DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS A LARGE CRACK THAT APPEARED ON 6/13/17. THERE WAS NO CRACK WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AT 6/12. WHEN I LEFT WORK THE MORNING OF 6/13/17 THERE WAS A 6 INCH CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE TEMP HAD A ROUGHLY 25 DEGREE F SWING FROM HOT TO COLD WITH RAIN OVERNIGHT. THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THE CROSSTREK WINDSHIELD BEING MORE FRAGILE IN THIS REGARD THAT OTHER CARS. INCIDENT RATE OF DAMAGE SEEMS MUCH HIGHER THAN IT SHOULD BE. *TR
LEFT CONSTANT VELOCITY (CV) JOINT HAS FAILED AFTER ONLY 66K MILES. DURING TURNS THE CAR MAKES A LOUD CLICKING NOISE THAT IS DISTRACTING AND I WAS CONCERNED THE CAR MAY INFLICT MORE DAMAGE TO THE DRIVE SYSTEM.
ECO-WIRING MADE OF MATERIALS THAT ATTRACT ANIMALS. A RODENT CHEWED THROUGH MY WIRING HARNESS. $800 WORTH OF DAMAGE THAT COULD BE PREVENTED. CAR IS INOPERABLE.
THE CAR WOULD LOSE A QUART OF ANTI FREEZE EVERY 7500 MILES.I BROUGHT IT IN AT LEAST 8 TIMES TELLING THEM THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THEY PRESSURE TESTED THE VEHICLE AT LEAST 8 TIMES AND 2 SERVICE MANAGERS SAID I WAS NUTS THEY ARE BOTH FIRED. MY 20 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVES FROM NEW YORK TO FLORIDA. I ASKED A SERVICE MANAGER WHEN THE CAR HAD APPROX, 55K TO GIVE THIS CAR TO A MECHANIC, SERVICE WRITER OR HIM SELF TO GO ON VACATION WITH A FREE CAR. THE SERVICE MANAGER DECLINED SAYING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND WOULD NOT LET ANYBODY TAKE THE CAR. I WAS IN TOUCH WITH SUBARU CUSTOMER CARE MANY TIMES . FINALLY THE CAR HIT 74K IN VIRGINIA WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD. TOWED TO A SUBARU DEALER IN VIRGINIA AT ABOUT 6AM. THANKFULLY MY OLDEST SON WAS IN THE CAR WITH HER COMING TO FLORIDA. THEY AT THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD BE $8000 TO FIX THE CAR. THE DEALER MUST OF CALLED SUBARU CUSTOMER CARE AND EXPLAINED BECAUSE THEY WOULD COVER $5000 AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE REST. WE GOT THE CAR BACK AND WENT 3500 MILES AND NO ANTI FREEZE LOST. THE ANTI FREEZE WAS ALWAYS CHECKED IN THE MORNING BEFORE STARTING IT UP. I CALLED SUBARU C.C AND THE GUY REVIEWED THE PROBLEM AND GAVE ME ALL MY MONEY BACK. I ALSO SAW ON THE INTERNET ANOTHER CAR WITH 68K HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2013 Subaru Crosstrek has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 25 owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek are engine (8 reports), power train (3 reports), electrical system (3 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.