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2018 Subaru Crosstrek Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 195 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, most often about the visibility and wipers (37% of complaints, typically around 22,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Crosstrek model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2018 Subaru Crosstrek problems
Visibility and wipers
72 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 22,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, sun/moon roof assembly.
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while her husband was approaching the parked vehicle, he noticed a crack on the upper driverâs side of the windshield. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The…
A long (10-12 inch) crack in the windshield. I can only imagine that a small pepple his the windshield wihile driving on the freeway. No noticable damanage until a few days later when I noticed a long (10-12) inch crack in the windsheild near the dash (bottom of the windshield) and traveling up and to the right of the…
Other or unspecified
41 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles.
The windshield chipped for no reason. Then it spread a crack across the passenger to the driver side. It was parked in a safe place and I did not drive it at all since I worked from home.
My windshield got a big crack out of nowhere while I was driving on a highway. In addition my windshield wiper nozzles and pump have both been replaced due to problems cleaning window but continue to malfunction still and I can't see clearly because of it.
Engine
33 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 6,500 miles.
My oil temp on my Subaru is higher than normal...I have had it in the dealer 2 times already and even tho they say the temps are not normal the say there is nothing they can do because everything look fine..but they tell me to change my oil every 3k now instead of 6k...I have done a lot of research about the oil temps…
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. While driving at low speeds, the vehicle stalled and was rear ended. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The air bags did not deploy. There was no body damage to the contact's vehicle. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred intermittently. The…
Electrical
32 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 9,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring.
Main computer system stops working on a couple of occasions. No radio, no volume control, no cd, no phone, no map/GPS. Map/GPS was in used at the time. System resumes all of its functions after the vehicle was pulled over and shut down for a few minutes. Vehicle was in motion when this happens.
When phone is connected via usb to phone it doesn't always pull up apple play. Also if phone is left plugged in and turn car off go into store come back it says error connecting and wont connect back to apple play for hours.
Transmission
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 6,000 miles.
This car is a lemon!! I ordered my 2018 Crosstrek june 2017, took delivery aug. 7th. Car ran great, loved it! Nov. 2017, 5600 miles on it, it starts intermittently bucking/shuddering under acceleration. Took it to my local Subaru dealer, they had it 3 day, couldn't find anything wrong. Some time passes, and we're into…
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that when the gear was shifted into reverse, the vehicle would move forward. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer…
Speed control
13 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 24,000 miles.
Upon starting car in driveway found power steering sluggish and requiring great force (operative, but no apparent boost). Engine sluggisn like limp-home mode. Additionally mil, tc and other lights illuminated on dash. I took photo. I forget if it threw odb codes, but I remember that it two battery disconnect cycles…
The contact owned a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. While the contact's son was driving at low speeds and making a left turn, the vehicle became difficult to accelerate. A pick up truck crashed into the rear passenger side quarter panel of the contact's vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was…
Body and structure
10 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
My windshield got a big crack out of nowhere while I was driving on a highway. In addition my windshield wiper nozzles and pump have both been replaced due to problems cleaning window but continue to malfunction still and I can't see clearly because of it.
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that along the top of the windshield their were rough spots in a row above the top of the windshield that looked like rust. The contact spoke with the dealer (west herr automotive group 3552 southwestern blvd, orchard park, ny 14127; ([phone]) who stated…
Steering
6 complaints · 3%Vehicle turned off while driving two times in traffic causing near collisions. Its been at dealer for more than a week. The dealer says they couldn't repair it so Subaru sent out engineers and determined their was a fault with no repair protocol available. They say they will have to keep my car until they can repair…
Upon starting car in driveway found power steering sluggish and requiring great force (operative, but no apparent boost). Engine sluggisn like limp-home mode. Additionally mil, tc and other lights illuminated on dash. I took photo. I forget if it threw odb codes, but I remember that it two battery disconnect cycles…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek recalls
Electrical: software
Risk: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning june 1, 2021. Owners can contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wre-21. Note: this recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under recall 19v743.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 subaru impreza and 2018-2019 crosstrek vehicles. The engine control module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Suspension: rear
Risk: Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed may 17, 2021. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wrd-21.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 subaru crosstrek, 2019 crosstrek hybrid, and 2019 forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
Electrical: software
Risk: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (dtc), subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began december 4, 2019. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wuq-02.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 impreza and 2018-2019 crosstrek vehicles. The engine control module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
Engine: crankcase (pcv)
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the pcv valve, free of charge. If the pcv valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began december 2, 2019. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wup-01.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 impreza and 2018 crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) valve. The pcv valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Brakes: service brakes
Risk: If the floor mat moves out of position and interferes with the accelerator or brake pedal operation, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mat retention bracket and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began november 14, 2017. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is wtr-77.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2018 crosstrek vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect floor mat retention bracket, allowing the floor mat to move out of position and interfere with the accelerator or brake pedal operation.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: visibility and wipers (72 complaints, typically around 22,000 miles); other or unspecified (41 complaints, typically around 18,000 miles); engine (33 complaints, typically around 6,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 15, 2021 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Subaru Crosstrek?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Crosstrek model year since 2000, with 195 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.