Here Are The 5 Subaru Crosstrek Years to Avoid

By Nick Marchenko, PhD

Updated: May 10, 2023

Are you in the market for a Subaru Crosstrek? Before you make your purchase, it's important to know which years to avoid. In this post, we'll take a closer look at the key problems reported by owners and official recall statistics for the 2016-2020 Crosstrek models. From electrical system malfunctions to engine failures, we'll cover it all. So buckle up and let's dive in.

Worst Years of Subaru Crosstrek by Complaints, Severity of Issues Reported, and Recalls

2016 47 2018 45 2019 42 2017 24 2020 1

What are the Biggest Problems with Subaru Crosstrek?

2016 Subaru Crosstrek

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10 POWER TRAIN 10 UNKNOWN OR OTHER 9 VISIBILITY/WIPER 4 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4

The Subaru Crosstrek 2016 model seems to have some issues with its electrical system, power train, unknown or other problems, visibility/wiper, and vehicle speed control. According to the complaints of real owners and official recall statistics, these are the key problems that need to be addressed. In my opinion, these problems can be quite frustrating and even dangerous for drivers. It's important for Subaru to take these issues seriously and work on finding solutions to ensure the safety and satisfaction of their customers.

2017 Subaru Crosstrek

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7 ENGINE 3 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2 SERVICE BRAKES 2

I gotta say, I'm pretty disappointed with the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. It seems like there are just too many problems with this car. The electrical system is a mess, with reports of everything from the radio cutting out to the car stalling out completely. And don't even get me started on the engine - there are reports of oil consumption issues, and some owners have even had their engines fail completely. The vehicle speed control and service brakes are also problematic, with reports of both systems failing unexpectedly. All in all, it seems like this car just can't catch a break.

2018 Subaru Crosstrek

ENGINE 13 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12 VISIBILITY/WIPER 8 POWER TRAIN 7 UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6

Oh boy, we got ourselves a Subaru Crosstrek from 2018. Let me tell you, this car is a beauty. But like any car, it's got its issues. Now, when it comes to the components that get affected, we're looking at the engine, the electrical system, the visibility and wiper situation, the power train, and some unknown or other stuff. You know, the usual suspects. But hey, don't let that discourage you from getting behind the wheel of this bad boy. It's still a great ride.

2019 Subaru Crosstrek

VISIBILITY/WIPER 17 UNKNOWN OR OTHER 10 ENGINE 6 FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5

Now, this Subaru Crosstrek may look like a rugged little beast, but it's got a few weak spots. For one, the visibility and wiper system can be a bit finicky. And don't get me started on the engine and fuel/profusion system - they can be a bit unpredictable. Lastly, the electrical system can give you a bit of a headache if you're not careful. But, on the bright side, this car does have some selling points - it's got great off-road capabilities and a comfortable ride for those long journeys.

2020 Subaru Crosstrek

VISIBILITY/WIPER 1

Now we're talking about the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek, and specifically, its visibility and wiper system. Now, this car has a lot going for it - it's practical, reliable, and comes with all-wheel drive as standard. But one area where it falls short is in the visibility department. The Crosstrek's thick pillars and small windows can make it difficult to see out of, especially when trying to merge or change lanes. And to make matters worse, the wiper system can be a bit finicky, with some owners reporting issues with streaking or skipping. Overall, while the Crosstrek is a great car for many reasons, its visibility and wiper system may leave something to be desired for some drivers.

Common Issues with Subaru Crosstrek

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 36 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 34 VISIBILITY/WIPER 32 ENGINE 23 POWER TRAIN 20 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11 STEERING 10 SERVICE BRAKES 7 FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 7 EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6

Source

Conclusion

Subaru Crosstrek owners have reported various problems with their vehicles, including issues with the electrical system, powertrain, visibility/wiper, vehicle speed control, and engine. These problems have affected multiple model years, and some have led to official recalls. In 2016, the Crosstrek had issues with the electrical system, powertrain, unknown or other, and visibility/wiper. The 2017 model year saw problems with unknown or other, electrical system, engine, vehicle speed control, and service brakes. In 2018, the engine, electrical system, visibility/wiper, powertrain, and unknown or other were affected. The 2019 model year had problems with visibility/wiper, unknown or other, engine, fuel/propulsion system, and electrical system. Finally, the 2020 Crosstrek had issues with visibility/wiper.