Subaru Crosstrek: best & worst years

Based on CarVitals reliability verdicts, the Subaru Crosstrek years to approach with the most caution are 2018 and 2019. The strongest years in our data are 2021, 2022, and 2023. Below is every model year we cover (2014–2024), ranked, with the owner-reported problems behind each call.

Every Subaru Crosstrek year, ranked

YearVerdictScoreTop owner-reported problems
2023 Recommended 7 Residual spontaneous windshield cracking still reported, though far less common than 2018-2020; cracks can impair the EyeSight camera and require recalibration.; Battery drain and Starlink infotainment/electrical accessory faults reported by some owners.; EyeSight forward-collision and emergency-braking false activations reported intermittently. Full report ↗
2022 Recommended 7 Residual spontaneous windshield cracking still reported, though far less common than 2018-2020; cracks can impair the EyeSight camera and require recalibration.; Battery drain and Starlink infotainment/electrical accessory faults reported by some owners.; EyeSight forward-collision and emergency-braking false activations reported intermittently. Full report ↗
2021 Recommended 7 Residual spontaneous windshield cracking still reported, though far less common than 2018-2020; cracks can impair the EyeSight camera and require recalibration.; Battery drain and Starlink infotainment/electrical accessory faults reported by some owners.; EyeSight forward-collision and emergency-braking false activations reported intermittently. Full report ↗
2020 Caution 6 Spontaneous windshield cracking is the defining defect of these years: cracks appear at low mileage, impair the EyeSight driver-assist camera, and recalibration is costly (subject of a class-action settlement).; Battery drain and Starlink infotainment/electrical faults reported across the early second generation.; FB20 2.0-liter boxer oil consumption and isolated head-gasket reports, mostly on higher-mileage examples. Full report ↗
2017 Caution 6 Spontaneous windshield cracking begins to appear in 2017, the precursor to the larger second-generation problem.; Starlink infotainment and electrical glitches (touchscreen freezes, Bluetooth/accessory faults) are the most common complaint of the late first generation.; Steering pull / wheel-alignment complaints and related uneven tire wear reported by some owners. Full report ↗
2024 Caution 5 Front driveshaft outer-race may crack and break, causing loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when parked without the parking brake (NHTSA recall).; Instrument-panel wiring harness can contact the steering beam bracket and short-circuit (NHTSA recall, additional clamp installed).; Infotainment screen freeze/lag, wireless-charger overheating, and Apple CarPlay audio dropouts reported on the new generation. Full report ↗
2016 Caution 5 Spontaneous windshield cracking begins to appear in 2017, the precursor to the larger second-generation problem.; Starlink infotainment and electrical glitches (touchscreen freezes, Bluetooth/accessory faults) are the most common complaint of the late first generation.; Steering pull / wheel-alignment complaints and related uneven tire wear reported by some owners. Full report ↗
2015 Caution 5 Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall applies to these model years (free dealer replacement).; Lineartronic CVT hesitation, shudder and other powertrain complaints; the transmission drones under hard acceleration.; FB20 2.0-liter boxer oil consumption reported on a number of early cars; check oil-burning history and level. Full report ↗
2014 Caution 5 Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall applies to these model years (free dealer replacement).; Lineartronic CVT hesitation, shudder and other powertrain complaints; the transmission drones under hard acceleration.; FB20 2.0-liter boxer oil consumption reported on a number of early cars; check oil-burning history and level. Full report ↗
2019 Avoid 4 Spontaneous windshield cracking is the defining defect of these years: cracks appear at low mileage, impair the EyeSight driver-assist camera, and recalibration is costly (subject of a class-action settlement).; Battery drain and Starlink infotainment/electrical faults reported across the early second generation.; FB20 2.0-liter boxer oil consumption and isolated head-gasket reports, mostly on higher-mileage examples. Full report ↗
2018 Avoid 4 Spontaneous windshield cracking is the defining defect of these years: cracks appear at low mileage, impair the EyeSight driver-assist camera, and recalibration is costly (subject of a class-action settlement).; Battery drain and Starlink infotainment/electrical faults reported across the early second generation.; FB20 2.0-liter boxer oil consumption and isolated head-gasket reports, mostly on higher-mileage examples. Full report ↗

Subaru Crosstrek problems by year

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Caution

All-new third generation: more capable and refined, but a first-year launch with two recalls (front driveshaft, wiring harness) and infotainment/wireless-charger bugs. Well-built with strong resale, but let the early issues shake out.

  • Front driveshaft outer-race may crack and break, causing loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when parked without the parking brake (NHTSA recall).
  • Instrument-panel wiring harness can contact the steering beam bracket and short-circuit (NHTSA recall, additional clamp installed).
  • Infotainment screen freeze/lag, wireless-charger overheating, and Apple CarPlay audio dropouts reported on the new generation.

2023 Subaru Crosstrek Recommended

The most refined second-gen year: very few complaints, proven boxer-AWD powertrains, top-of-class RepairPal reliability and excellent resale value. An excellent used buy.

  • Residual spontaneous windshield cracking still reported, though far less common than 2018-2020; cracks can impair the EyeSight camera and require recalibration.
  • Battery drain and Starlink infotainment/electrical accessory faults reported by some owners.
  • EyeSight forward-collision and emergency-braking false activations reported intermittently.

2022 Subaru Crosstrek Recommended

A mature, low-complaint second-gen year with the stronger optional 2.5-liter engine, strong resale and best-in-class RepairPal running costs. Among the most dependable used Crosstreks.

  • Residual spontaneous windshield cracking still reported, though far less common than 2018-2020; cracks can impair the EyeSight camera and require recalibration.
  • Battery drain and Starlink infotainment/electrical accessory faults reported by some owners.
  • EyeSight forward-collision and emergency-braking false activations reported intermittently.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Recommended

Adds an optional 2.5-liter engine that fixes the long-standing power complaint while keeping bulletproof AWD and best-in-class RepairPal reliability. Few complaints; one of the best used Crosstreks.

  • Residual spontaneous windshield cracking still reported, though far less common than 2018-2020; cracks can impair the EyeSight camera and require recalibration.
  • Battery drain and Starlink infotainment/electrical accessory faults reported by some owners.
  • EyeSight forward-collision and emergency-braking false activations reported intermittently.

2020 Subaru Crosstrek Caution

Much cleaner than 2018-19 as the windshield-cracking wave receded; reliable boxer-AWD with best-in-class RepairPal costs and excellent resale. A strong used pick once you confirm the windshield was sorted.

  • Spontaneous windshield cracking is the defining defect of these years: cracks appear at low mileage, impair the EyeSight driver-assist camera, and recalibration is costly (subject of a class-action settlement).
  • Battery drain and Starlink infotainment/electrical faults reported across the early second generation.
  • FB20 2.0-liter boxer oil consumption and isolated head-gasket reports, mostly on higher-mileage examples.

2019 Subaru Crosstrek Avoid

The year to avoid: a wave of spontaneous windshield cracking (costly EyeSight recalibration, a class action), plus engine and electrical complaints, make it the most problem-prone Crosstrek despite strong AWD and resale.

  • Spontaneous windshield cracking is the defining defect of these years: cracks appear at low mileage, impair the EyeSight driver-assist camera, and recalibration is costly (subject of a class-action settlement).
  • Battery drain and Starlink infotainment/electrical faults reported across the early second generation.
  • FB20 2.0-liter boxer oil consumption and isolated head-gasket reports, mostly on higher-mileage examples.

2018 Subaru Crosstrek Avoid

Second-gen redesign brought a roomier, safer SUV but a rocky launch: spontaneous windshield cracking, several recalls and early-build gremlins. Capable with great resale, yet the worst-sorted gen-2 year.

  • Spontaneous windshield cracking is the defining defect of these years: cracks appear at low mileage, impair the EyeSight driver-assist camera, and recalibration is costly (subject of a class-action settlement).
  • Battery drain and Starlink infotainment/electrical faults reported across the early second generation.
  • FB20 2.0-liter boxer oil consumption and isolated head-gasket reports, mostly on higher-mileage examples.

2017 Subaru Crosstrek Caution

The most sorted first-gen year: fewer mechanical complaints, proven FB20 boxer and AWD, low running costs (RepairPal best-in-class). Windshield fragility starts to appear and power is modest, but a solid used pick.

  • Spontaneous windshield cracking begins to appear in 2017, the precursor to the larger second-generation problem.
  • Starlink infotainment and electrical glitches (touchscreen freezes, Bluetooth/accessory faults) are the most common complaint of the late first generation.
  • Steering pull / wheel-alignment complaints and related uneven tire wear reported by some owners.

2016 Subaru Crosstrek Caution

Dependable boxer-AWD package let down by Starlink infotainment/electrical glitches and steering-alignment gripes. Best-in-class RepairPal reliability and cheap to run, but slow and the CVT is uninspiring.

  • Spontaneous windshield cracking begins to appear in 2017, the precursor to the larger second-generation problem.
  • Starlink infotainment and electrical glitches (touchscreen freezes, Bluetooth/accessory faults) are the most common complaint of the late first generation.
  • Steering pull / wheel-alignment complaints and related uneven tire wear reported by some owners.

2015 Subaru Crosstrek Caution

Durable AWD economy crossover with strong RepairPal reliability, but FB20 oil consumption, modest power and the CVT remain the watch-items; a Takata airbag recall applies. A sensible used buy with clean history.

  • Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall applies to these model years (free dealer replacement).
  • Lineartronic CVT hesitation, shudder and other powertrain complaints; the transmission drones under hard acceleration.
  • FB20 2.0-liter boxer oil consumption reported on a number of early cars; check oil-burning history and level.

2014 Subaru Crosstrek Caution

First-gen XV Crosstrek on the Impreza platform: rugged AWD and great visibility, but the FB20 boxer can burn oil and the CVT plus Takata-airbag recall weigh on it. Reliable overall yet underpowered.

  • Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall applies to these model years (free dealer replacement).
  • Lineartronic CVT hesitation, shudder and other powertrain complaints; the transmission drones under hard acceleration.
  • FB20 2.0-liter boxer oil consumption reported on a number of early cars; check oil-burning history and level.

Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Subaru models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.