Total Complaints
133 filings
SUBARU XV CROSSTREK · model year
133 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2013SUBARUXV CROSSTREK carries 133 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 XV CROSSTREK is engine with 34 filings, followed by power train (20) and unknown or other (18). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2013 XV CROSSTREK. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
133 filings
Crashes Reported
9 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 34 |
| POWER TRAIN | 20 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 18 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 12 |
| STEERING | 9 |
| WHEELS | 6 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5 |
| AIR BAGS | 4 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 4 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 3 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 3 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| VISIBILITY | 1 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
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 manufacturer, but has by police, insurance, and others. All said the airbags should have deployed. There were no warning lights or otherwise to notify me that the airbags would not work.
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.
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 INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS, THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY A SUBARU DEALER SERVICE MANAGER.
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 Subaru techs unable to replicate problem at time of visit and reported no known recall notice for this problem. Since inspection, problem has reoccurred randomly.
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 mechanic shop on another day, when they could not find the problem through a diagnostic the mechanic took apart the dashboard & that's when he found the wires connected to the control panel were melting/overheating. He said it was very dangerous because it could cause the car to catch fire. He said he had to leave the wires disconnected to prevent the car catching fire until the wires and control panel could be replaced. When I looked up if others were having the same problem, I found other Subaru Crosstrek owners with the same issue and many of them stated it happened again after replacing the affected parts. The control panel is not a wear-
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 mechanic shop on another day, when they could not find the problem through a diagnostic the mechanic took apart the dashboard & that's when he found the wires connected to the control panel were melting/overheating. He said it was very dangerous because it could cause the car to catch fire. He said he had to leave the wires disconnected to prevent the car catching fire until the wires and control panel could be replaced. When I looked up if others were having the same problem, I found other Subaru Crosstrek owners with the same issue and many of them stated it happened again after replacing the affected parts. The control panel is not a wear-
At various times of day or night, the brake lights turn on, while there is no one in the vehicle. The vehicle sits parked and is locked with the security on, and the lights just randomly turn on by themselves. The only way to turn the lights off is to go into the vehicle and step on the brake and then the lights are off after releasing the brake pedal. If the lights stay on, because itâs not noticed, then the battery drains and then needs to be jumped. It is concerning for vehicles traveling behind, because one wouldnât know if there is an issue happening while traveling and could cause someone to be rear ended.
At various times of day or night, the brake lights turn on, while there is no one in the vehicle. The vehicle sits parked and is locked with the security on, and the lights just randomly turn on by themselves. The only way to turn the lights off is to go into the vehicle and step on the brake and then the lights are off after releasing the brake pedal. If the lights stay on, because itâs not noticed, then the battery drains and then needs to be jumped. It is concerning for vehicles traveling behind, because one wouldnât know if there is an issue happening while traveling and could cause someone to be rear ended.
A piece of the sunroof assembly punctured through the headliner into the passenger seat area of the vehicle. The piece is a sharp 10 inch spike with a spring wrapped around it. Had the piece come into the driver side or if there had been a passenger. It would have gone into there head, either causing an accident or severe injury to the driver or passenger.
The recall Type: Safety Service Campaign:WTY84 NHTSA Campaign: 18V772000 FB20 Valve Spring Replacement was reported completed by the manufacturer Subaru has no record of it being done. My car is now experiencing symptoms of this recall when I had no issues prior and want me to pay to look into the problem further. Now my vehicle has a check engine light for a recall that was potentially not done as I have no proof that it was completed.
The recall Type: Safety Service Campaign:WTY84 NHTSA Campaign: 18V772000 FB20 Valve Spring Replacement was reported completed by the manufacturer Subaru has no record of it being done. My car is now experiencing symptoms of this recall when I had no issues prior and want me to pay to look into the problem further. Now my vehicle has a check engine light for a recall that was potentially not done as I have no proof that it was completed.
The key will not come out of the ignition when turned off and in park. The battery runs with no way to turn it off. This is a known issue with a defective part. Subaru will not cover the repair.
2.0L Engine Valve Spring Fracture may Cause Engine stall and excessive oil leaks that migrates in the catalytic converter causing fumes that linger inside the car with a very strong smell.
The electrical harness to the variable fan speed switch overheated melting the harness and switch.
For the record I'm going to list the items here I'd rather them go down in writing then for my words to not have a witness. 1- safety : the Bluetooth connection is busted and crackling for both me and the caller 2- Automation: nothing happens automatic in this car the locks do not go down when I get in motion . the sunroof and the windows do not roll up in auxiliary power after the key is off. 3- Oil: every thousand Miles the oil light to show up I cannot live like that carrying oil in my car when I run a thousand miles every 3 weeks. 4- DENT REPAIR : have asked you to schedule the date guy to pull this dent out of the front driver wheel well and that hasn't happened yet 5- locking mechanism: the trunk has to be slammed closed every time. The passenger side seat belt noise comes on even if I put a bag of to go food in the seat. 6- sanitation: these seats are infected with something I have cleaned them multiple times and my passengers are complaining of itching and feeling a bite w
While slowing to turn into a turn lane, my care unexpectedly accelerated to a very high speed, causing me to crash straight into a signal light post. The light post was knocked over by the force of impact. The car ended up around the corner, facing the opposite direction and having hit another car. Police responded to the scene and inspected the vehicle, which was towed away. An insurance claim has been filed, though I am unaware if they have inspected the vehicle yet. The passenger airbag deployed but driver airbag did not. I had no warning before the sudden acceleration and this is the only time something like this happened.
MY 2013 SUBARU CROSSTREK stalled on the highway in March 2023 while I was driving home from work. I brought it to Hassett Subaru in Wantagh because a friend told me that there was a recall on the spring valve (from 5 years ago, which I was never notified of). Vlad Oriol wanted to charge me a few thousand dollars to breakdown the engine, even though that was a requirement of the recall. I checked the VIN and found out my car was covered by the spring valve recall. Since the car was unsafe to drive, I then called Subaru headquarters who sent a tech supervisor to investigate the situation. The tech supervisor said the problem was due to the recall so the engine breakdown was covered. The tech supervisor said the "rocker arm had come loose from excessive lash, but was tied to the recall issue," and also added that there was no other damage. Hassett Subaru was forced by Subaru headquarters to preform the recall fix. I picked up my car (we live 2 miles from Hassett) and the very next day the
Driving on the freeway my car lost power i pulled off to the side and tried to restart it. As I have the ignition turned over for 30 to 40 seconds the starter sounded erratic and the oil temperature light was flashing. I sat there for about ten minutes and tried again and it did the same thing but it started. This power loss has happened twice. The erratic noise coming from the ignition, and the hesitation of starting is a regular ongoing issue along with the oil temperature light. Since the first stall at about 117000 miles on the odometer the car has been burning oil at a rate of a full quart about every 3000 miles. #2 Around 120000 miles my key wouldn't come out of the ignition. This happened first on a late night in a high crime area. I actually had to leave my keys in my ignition while going into a gas station to pay for fuel. Since then this happens every time I turn off my vehicle and put it into the park position. Usually I have to wait around ten minutes to be able t
Driving on the freeway my car lost power i pulled off to the side and tried to restart it. As I have the ignition turned over for 30 to 40 seconds the starter sounded erratic and the oil temperature light was flashing. I sat there for about ten minutes and tried again and it did the same thing but it started. This power loss has happened twice. The erratic noise coming from the ignition, and the hesitation of starting is a regular ongoing issue along with the oil temperature light. Since the first stall at about 117000 miles on the odometer the car has been burning oil at a rate of a full quart about every 3000 miles. #2 Around 120000 miles my key wouldn't come out of the ignition. This happened first on a late night in a high crime area. I actually had to leave my keys in my ignition while going into a gas station to pay for fuel. Since then this happens every time I turn off my vehicle and put it into the park position. Usually I have to wait around ten minutes to be able t
Driving on the freeway my car lost power i pulled off to the side and tried to restart it. As I have the ignition turned over for 30 to 40 seconds the starter sounded erratic and the oil temperature light was flashing. I sat there for about ten minutes and tried again and it did the same thing but it started. This power loss has happened twice. The erratic noise coming from the ignition, and the hesitation of starting is a regular ongoing issue along with the oil temperature light. Since the first stall at about 117000 miles on the odometer the car has been burning oil at a rate of a full quart about every 3000 miles. #2 Around 120000 miles my key wouldn't come out of the ignition. This happened first on a late night in a high crime area. I actually had to leave my keys in my ignition while going into a gas station to pay for fuel. Since then this happens every time I turn off my vehicle and put it into the park position. Usually I have to wait around ten minutes to be able t
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
Passenger Front Air Bag Suppression
Front suspension control arm failure
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
FUEL LINE LEAK
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.