VehicleVerdict

2019 Subaru Crosstrek problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 355 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.2 times the median Crosstrek year — the 2019 model ranks #1 of 15 Crosstrek years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 124 reports (35% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

355

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other Crosstrek years?

Crosstrek NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted355 complaints2012: 3 complaints2013: 35 complaints2014: 22 complaints2015: 27 complaints2016: 164 complaints2017: 132 complaints2018: 253 complaints2019: 355 complaints2020: 82 complaints2021: 151 complaints2022: 41 complaints2023: 51 complaints2024: 130 complaints2025: 57 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Crosstrek NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Crosstrek years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Subaru Crosstrek problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers12435%
Other5215%
Electrical System5114%
Engine3410%
Transmission236%
Steering154%
Fuel System123%
Driver Assistance93%
Body & Structure72%
Speed Control72%
Brakes62%
Suspension41%
Airbags31%
Lighting31%
Tires & Wheels21%
Seats21%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V264000Electrical SystemApril 15, 2021 · 466,205 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

21V263000SuspensionApril 15, 2021 · 408,271 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

20V189000Seat BeltsMarch 31, 2020 · 4,862 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.

Consequence

In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. The began April 15, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-20.

19V856000EngineDecember 2, 2019 · 51,613 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.

Consequence

An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.

19V743000Electrical SystemOctober 18, 2019 · 466,205 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

19V404000Visibility & WipersMay 30, 2019 · 256 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The driver's side rear-door window glass may be improperly tempered. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."

Consequence

Improperly tempered glass can shatter into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side rear-door window glass, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUG-92.

19V065000SteeringFebruary 6, 2019 · 10,417 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.

Consequence

Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet. Subaru has notified dealers and they will inspect the steering gearbox, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUC-88.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that there was a crack on the windshield. The contact stated that there was no impact to the windshield that could have caused the crack in the windshield. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 4, 2022

IN JUNE OF 2020, MY BRAND NEW 2019 SUBARU CROSSTREK CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MORNING OF THE FIRE, IT WAS CONFIRMED VIA THE APP THAT ALL CAR SYSTEMS WERE IN CHECK AND NO MAINTENANCE WAS REQUIRED. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65MPH, WE COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. WHILE PULLING OVER, THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 2, 2020 · fire

I sent my Crosstrek to the dealer for the WRE21 recall. After retrieving the car from the dealership with the recall fix in place, the engine stalled while I was at a red light and I could see smoke coming out from the hood. This occurred after driving less than 4 miles from the dealership. I…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 12, 2024 · fire

VEHICLE IN MOTION ,ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING , AND COLLIDED INTO A TREE LOCATED ON CURB OF SIDEWALK, NO INJURIES TO 2 OCCUPANTS WEARING SEATBELTS, MAJOR DAMAGE TO FRONT OF VEHICLE. NO EXPLANATION FOR VEHICLE MOVING UNEXPECTLY

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 5, 2020 · crash

I sent my Crosstrek to the dealer for the WRE21 recall. After retrieving the car from the dealership with the recall fix in place, the engine stalled while I was at a red light and I could see smoke coming out from the hood. This occurred after driving less than 4 miles from the dealership. I…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 12, 2024 · fire

2019 Subaru Crosstrek — common questions

Is the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 355 complaints put the 2019 model at #1 of 15 Crosstrek years. It is one of the Crosstrek years to avoid.

What are the most common 2019 Crosstrek problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (124 complaints), other (52 complaints), electrical system (51 complaints).

Does the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Subaru Crosstrek years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Crosstrek years to avoid are 2019, 2018, 2016, 2021, 2017, 2024. The cleanest record among Crosstrek years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.