Is the Hyundai Kona more reliable than the Subaru Crosstrek?

No. The Crosstrek has a clear edge. Its most common complaint is cracking windshields, while Kona owners report engine power cuts while driving, cars that will not restart, and transmissions failing at low mileage. Both models still stand as good overall.

Which has more recalls, the Kona or the Crosstrek?

The Crosstrek has more. Federal recall records show 19 across nine model years, against 16 for the Kona. Recall count alone does not decide reliability, so check any specific car's VIN for open recalls before buying.

Which costs less to repair, the Kona or the Crosstrek?

Only the Crosstrek has repair-cost data here. Independent figures put it at about $492 a year, 0.1 unscheduled shop visits a year, and a 7% chance that a repair is major. There is no comparable figure for the Kona, so a direct cost comparison is not possible.

Do Subaru Crosstrek windshields really crack easily?

Owner complaints say yes. Windshield and wiper reports are the Crosstrek's largest group at 239. Many describe a tiny pebble spreading into a long crack, and most early cracks appear within about 19,000 miles. Dealers often call it rock damage, so expect to pay for replacement yourself.

What are the worst model years for each car?

For the Kona, the weakest years are 2019 and 2020. For the Crosstrek, they are 2018 and 2019. Newer years such as 2025 and 2026 show strong standing, but they have had less time to collect complaints, so treat that as incomplete.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Hyundai Kona vs Subaru Crosstrek: Reliability Compared

Hyundai Kona

Good

More Reliable

Subaru Crosstrek

Good

Subaru Crosstrek comes out ahead of the Hyundai Kona on reliability, with a clear edge. Crosstrek complaints center on cracking windshields, while Kona owners report engine power cuts and failed transmissions. The Crosstrek also has independent repair-cost data showing few shop visits.

How Do the Hyundai Kona and Subaru Crosstrek Generations Compare?

Most used shoppers will land on 2018 to 2023 cars from either maker. The Kona's first generation (OS) ran 2018 to 2023 with a 2021 facelift, and the second generation (SX2) began in 2024. The Crosstrek's second generation (GT) also ran 2018 to 2023 with a 2021 facelift, and the third generation (GU) began in 2024. Facelifted 2021 to 2023 cars are the newest in that group. Cars from 2024 on are early in their generations and have had less time to collect complaints, so a thin record there is not proof of reliability.

Verdict

The Subaru Crosstrek is more reliable than the Hyundai Kona, scoring 73/100 vs 65/100.

Reliability favors the Subaru Crosstrek by a clear edge. Its biggest complaint area is windshields that crack easily, which is expensive and irritating but rarely strands you. The Kona's top complaints are engine power cuts, no-restart tows, and transmissions that fail outright, and those hit harder. Independent repair-cost data also shows the Crosstrek needing few unscheduled shop visits. It is not trouble free, though. Its power train reports include CVT replacements and sudden power loss, and that area has more crash links than anything on the Kona's list.

Key Differences

1Hyundai Kona has 59.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Subaru Crosstrek scores 8 points higher in reliability
3Hyundai Kona has 3 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

2Hyundai Kona

—

1Subaru Crosstrek

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Hyundai Kona vs Subaru Crosstrek: Which Is More Reliable?

Hyundai Kona vs Subaru Crosstrek at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Hyundai Kona	Subaru Crosstrek
Reliability Score	65/100	73/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	16	19
Complaints per 10k Sold	13.4	72.5
Year Wins	1	8

What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Kona and Subaru Crosstrek?

Glass dominates the Crosstrek's complaints: windshields that star from a pebble and spread, or crack while parked, plus one rear window that came loose at 60 mph. Battery drain tied to the Starlink module is the main electrical complaint. Its serious cases are power train failures, with 8 crash-linked reports, including CVT replacements and ignition coil trouble after a recall repair. Kona owners report engine power cuts, coolant loss, and oil drain plugs falling out. Only the Kona has crash-linked cruise control and braking complaints, including automatic emergency braking firing at highway speed for no visible reason.

Hyundai Kona vs Subaru Crosstrek common problem areas comparison
Component	Hyundai Kona	Subaru Crosstrek
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	21.8High
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.8Low	12.8Above Avg
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3.3Average	8.8Above Avg
ENGINE	4.5Average	3.3Average
POWER TRAIN	1.6Low	4.6Average
VISIBILITY	—None	3.6Average
STEERING	0.3Very Low	3Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.5Very Low	1.7Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	1.7Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.2Very Low	1.3Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.1Very Low	1.2Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	0.8Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.5Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.4Very Low
TIRES	—None	0.3Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.2Very Low	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.2Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.2Very Low
WHEELS	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Hyundai Kona vs Subaru Crosstrek Reliability Compare by Year?

Hyundai Kona vs Subaru Crosstrek year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Hyundai Kona	Subaru Crosstrek	Edge
2026	67/1002R / 4C	94/1000R / 1C	Subaru Crosstrek
2025	74/1000R / 21C	83/1000R / 25C	Subaru Crosstrek
2024	68/1003R / 50C	69/1002R / 95C	Subaru Crosstrek
2023	66/1002R / 68C	81/1000R / 28C	Subaru Crosstrek
2022	64/1002R / 115C	78/1001R / 28C	Subaru Crosstrek
2021	63/1001R / 102C	67/1002R / 97C	Subaru Crosstrek
2020	57/1002R / 140C	72/1001R / 62C	Subaru Crosstrek
2019	55/1004R / 224C	56/1008R / 272C	Subaru Crosstrek
2018	69/1000R / 66C	60/1005R / 186C	Hyundai Kona

Best years to cross-shop: The 2018 Hyundai Kona scored 69/100 and the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek scored 81/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Hyundai Kona vs the Subaru Crosstrek?

Pick the Crosstrek if you want fewer surprise shop trips and can live with a glass risk. Budget for a windshield replacement, since one owner was quoted $2500 because the EyeSight cameras add cost. Avoid 2018 and 2019, its weakest years. A 2025 or 2026 has a strong standing, but those years have had less time to collect complaints, so do not read that as proof. Pick the Kona if you want a much lower complaint rate per car sold. Lean toward 2018 or the facelifted 2021 to 2023 cars, and avoid 2019 and 2020, its weakest years. Skip any Kona if you plan to lean on adaptive cruise control or do a lot of highway driving, given the braking and speed control reports. Kona Electric shoppers should ask about 12V battery drain and have the gear reduction oil checked for metal shavings.

Hyundai Kona vs Subaru Crosstrek: Common Questions

Is the Hyundai Kona more reliable than the Subaru Crosstrek?: No. The Crosstrek has a clear edge. Its most common complaint is cracking windshields, while Kona owners report engine power cuts while driving, cars that will not restart, and transmissions failing at low mileage. Both models still stand as good overall.
Which has more recalls, the Kona or the Crosstrek?: The Crosstrek has more. Federal recall records show 19 across nine model years, against 16 for the Kona. Recall count alone does not decide reliability, so check any specific car's VIN for open recalls before buying.
Which costs less to repair, the Kona or the Crosstrek?: Only the Crosstrek has repair-cost data here. Independent figures put it at about $492 a year, 0.1 unscheduled shop visits a year, and a 7% chance that a repair is major. There is no comparable figure for the Kona, so a direct cost comparison is not possible.
Do Subaru Crosstrek windshields really crack easily?: Owner complaints say yes. Windshield and wiper reports are the Crosstrek's largest group at 239. Many describe a tiny pebble spreading into a long crack, and most early cracks appear within about 19,000 miles. Dealers often call it rock damage, so expect to pay for replacement yourself.
What are the worst model years for each car?: For the Kona, the weakest years are 2019 and 2020. For the Crosstrek, they are 2018 and 2019. Newer years such as 2025 and 2026 show strong standing, but they have had less time to collect complaints, so treat that as incomplete.

More Hyundai Kona comparisons

Hyundai Kona vs Kia Soul reliability Hyundai Kona vs Kia Niro reliability Hyundai Kona vs Mazda CX-30 reliability Hyundai Kona vs Buick Encore reliability Hyundai Kona reliability by year Hyundai Kona years to avoid

More Subaru Crosstrek comparisons

Subaru Crosstrek vs Honda HR-V reliability Subaru Crosstrek vs Chevrolet Trax reliability Subaru Crosstrek vs Jeep Renegade reliability Subaru Crosstrek vs Buick Encore GX reliability Subaru Crosstrek reliability by year Subaru Crosstrek years to avoid

Decided between Hyundai Kona and Subaru Crosstrek? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the Hyundai Kona and Subaru Crosstrek

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

See incorrect data? Report an issue