Last updated: 2026-10-10
Subaru Crosstrek Reliability by Year
Subaru Crosstrek reliability is good for a subcompact SUV, with windshields that crack on their own the most common complaint across 2018 to 2026.
Subaru Crosstrek Reliability Overview
Used Crosstrek buyers get a model that holds up well, with repair costs a little under the compact SUV average. The main watch item is windshields that crack with no impact, along with battery drain on some cars. Favor the 2023 model year and skip 2019, which drew the most complaints, including CVT failures.
Current generation: 3rd gen (2024–2023).
Best & Worst Subaru Crosstrek Years
Best Subaru Crosstrek Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2023 model year has no recalls on file, while 2019 has eight. Its complaint rate per vehicle sold is a small fraction of 2019's. Windshield cracking still shows up, so it is not trouble-free. But the CVT and dead-battery reports that mark 2019 are mostly absent here.
Subaru Crosstrek Years to Avoid
Windshields crack far too easily, often after a tiny pebble, and some owners are on a second or third one. Batteries die after a few days parked, and many owners blame the Starlink module. Power cuts out or comes late, and several cars needed a new CVT. Eight recalls are on file.
Subaru Crosstrek Reliability Score Trend
Subaru Crosstrek reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 81/100 compared to 64/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 60/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 56/100 | Mixed |
| 2020 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 67/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 81/100 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 69/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 83/100 | Excellent |
| 2026 | 94/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Subaru Crosstrek
0 recalls · 1 complaints
Ranks first among nine scored years with one owner complaint and no recalls, though its short time on the road limits that count.
2025 Subaru Crosstrek
0 recalls · 25 complaints
Excellent standing with no recalls and far fewer complaints than 2024, though a shaking driver-side mirror and pop-up screen ads draw repeat complaints.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek
2 recalls · 95 complaints
Good but only mid-pack among Crosstrek years, with two recalls and headlight, steering and windshield complaints, while the 2023 and 2025 rate better.
2023 Subaru Crosstrek
0 recalls · 28 complaints
Final year of the second generation, with no recalls and a standing among the stronger Crosstrek years, though windshields crack easily and a few owners report surging.
2022 Subaru Crosstrek
1 recalls · 28 complaints
Middle of the pack among Crosstrek years: fewer complaints than 2021 and one recall, but windshield cracking and electrical power loss stand out.
2021 Subaru Crosstrek
2 recalls · 97 complaints
Good overall but among the weaker Crosstrek years, with cracked windshields and power train hesitation leading complaints; the 2020 and 2022 years rate better.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek
1 recalls · 62 complaints
Rates better than the 2019 and 2021 model years and has a single recall, though windshields that crack with no impact draw most owner complaints.
2019 Subaru Crosstrek
8 recalls · 272 complaints
The weakest of nine Crosstrek years, with windshield cracks, battery drain and eight recalls, while both 2018 and 2020 rate better.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek
5 recalls · 186 complaints
First model year of the second generation, among the weaker Crosstrek years and led by spontaneous windshield cracks, though it fares better than the 2019.
Found Your Subaru Crosstrek? Check Its History
Lane departure (1) problems come up most in Subaru Crosstrek owner complaints, and 19 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Subaru Crosstrek Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$492
Repair Frequency
0.1/yr
Major Repair Risk
7%
$29 below the compact SUVs average of $521/yr.
Ranked #1 of 26 among compact SUVs.
Subaru Crosstrek Resale Value
The Subaru Crosstrek is estimated to retain about 78.2% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 78.2%
- Depreciation
- 21.8%
- Listings Analyzed
- 690
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Subaru Crosstrek depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comSubaru Crosstrek Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Subaru Models
Compare all Subaru models by reliability
Compare Subaru Crosstrek With Similar SUVs
The Subaru Crosstrek competes with other subcompact suvs such as Honda HR-V, Chevrolet Trax, and Jeep Renegade.
Crosstrek vs Honda HR-V
9 years tracked · 1309 complaints
Crosstrek vs Chevrolet Trax
8 years tracked · 509 complaints
Crosstrek vs Jeep Renegade
6 years tracked · 687 complaints
Crosstrek vs Buick Encore GX
7 years tracked · 210 complaints
Crosstrek vs Kia Niro
2 years tracked · 25 complaints
More Subaru Crosstrek comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for the Subaru Crosstrek?
- The 2023 model year is our pick. It has no recalls on file and a low complaint rate for its sales. The 2025 and 2026 years also rate well, but they are too new to have collected many complaints, so they are not proven yet.
- Is the Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
- Yes. Its standing is good, and it ranks above average among SUVs on the site. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at about $492, a little under the $521 average for compact SUVs. Windshield cracking is the main recurring weak spot.
- What are the most common Subaru Crosstrek problems?
- Windshields that crack with no impact lead the list by a wide margin. Next come battery drain after the car sits for a few days, and bucking or shuddering under light acceleration. Dealers often cannot reproduce the bucking, which makes it hard to fix.
- How much does it cost to repair a Subaru Crosstrek?
- Independent repair-cost data estimates about $492 a year. That is below the $521 average for compact SUVs. Windshields can push a bill higher. On cars with EyeSight, the glass must be replaced and the camera recalibrated, and one dealer quote reached $1,400.
- Why do Subaru Crosstrek windshields crack so easily?
- The data does not give a cause. Owners report cracks on parked cars, on cold mornings with the defroster running, and at highway speed. Dealers usually cannot explain it, and some decline warranty coverage. Some owners report repeat cracks, even on replacement glass.
How we score the 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.
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