Last updated: 2026-04-20

RELIABILITY SCORE: 78/100 (GOOD)

2026 Subaru Crosstrek Reliability Report

Name: 2026 Subaru Crosstrek
Brand: Subaru

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek has a predicted reliability score of 78/100 based on prior model year data. Early data shows 0 recalls and 1 owner complaint.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

N/A

Est. Repair Cost

$492

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,050–$2,300

The Verdict

Consider

Based on historical reliability patterns, predicted to score 78/100 — worth considering.

Top Issues to Watch

LANE DEPARTURE (1)

Should You Buy the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek?

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek has a predicted reliability score of 78/100 ("Good") based on prior model year performance.

So far: 0 recalls, 1 owner complaint. Early complaint volume is still developing.

Prior model years suggest dependable ownership. Confirm all recall repairs are completed, and consider a pre-purchase inspection for used examples.

See also the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable predicted reliability based on prior model years
+$29 cheaper to maintain than avg compact SUVs
+Infrequent unscheduled repairs
+Low major repair risk (7%)

Cons

−Score is a prediction — real-world data still developing
−LANE DEPARTURE (1)

Compare 2026 Subaru Crosstrek With

2026 Chevrolet Trax

Predicted: 82/100

Predicted

2026 Honda HR-V

Predicted: 81/100

Predicted

2026 Toyota Corolla Cross

Predicted: 79/100

Predicted

Common Problem Categories

Other

LOW RISK

LANE DEPARTURE (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

complaints

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2026 Subaru Crosstrek? Check its history first

Every 2026 Subaru Crosstrek has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2026 Subaru Crosstrek NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 5/5

Rollover risk: 16.4%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Knee (Driver)Additional Air Bags (Seat Pan Air Bag)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (No)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Driver Monitoring System (Yes)Automatic High Beams (Standard)

HEV Powertrain

Rollover risk: 16.4%

Safety Technologies

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Subaru CrosstrekRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

4.5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$492

vs $521 avg for compact SUVs

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.1

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Crosstrek

$492

Category Avg

$521

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

26–29 MPG

Running cost: $2,550–$2,800/yr

Fuel + repair

24–26 city / 29–33 hwy MPG

Hybrid

36 MPG

Running cost: $2,150/yr

Fuel + repair

36 city / 36 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2026 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Crosstrek AWD 2.5L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AV-S8)	26	33	29	$2,050
Crosstrek Wilderness AWD 2.5L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AV-S8)	24	29	26	$2,300

Hybrid trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Crosstrek Hybrid AWD 2.5L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AV-S6)	36	36	36	$1,650

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2026 Subaru Crosstrek.

Test blind spot detection for consistent operation
Verify lane departure warning system functionality
Check for any active recalls related to safety systems

2026 Subaru Crosstrek Common Problems by Component

1 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

LANE DEPARTURE

1 complaint

2025-12-18

Right side blind spot detection does not work 98% of the time. Worse than the 2025 Crosstrek which only works 96% of the time.

Best & Worst Subaru Crosstrek Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Subaru Crosstrek Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

The best Subaru Crosstrek year is 2025 with a reliability score of 83/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2023 (81/100) and 2022 (78/100).

Top Pick

Excellent

Subaru Crosstrek Years to Avoid

The worst Subaru Crosstrek year is 2019 with a score of 56/100, primarily due to visibility wiper (108) issues.

Mixed

2019

8Recalls

272Complaints

See full Subaru Crosstrek years-to-avoid analysis

Subaru Crosstrek Reliability Score Trend

Subaru Crosstrek reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 78/100 compared to 64/100 for older years.

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Subaru Crosstrek reliability scores by year
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

Subaru Crosstrek Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026(selected)	78/100 (predicted)	—	Predicted	0	1
2025	83/100	+14	Excellent	0	25
2024	69/100	-12	Good	2	95
2023	81/100	+3	Excellent	0	28
2022	78/100	+11	Good	1	28
2021	67/100	-5	Good	2	97
2020	72/100	+16	Good	1	62
2019	56/100	-4	Mixed	8	272
2018	60/100	—	Good	5	186

2026 Subaru Crosstrek Reliability by Powertrain

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek is available with 2powertrain options. Here's how they compare on reliability.

Reliability comparison across powertrain options
Powertrain	Complaints	Crash Rating
Gas	1	N/T
HEV	0	N/T
Total	1

NHTSA tracks complaints separately for each powertrain configuration. Totals reflect the sum across all variants. N/T = Not tested by NHTSA.

* Incidents = crash + fire reports. A single complaint can include multiple incident types.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek has a predicted reliability score of 78/100 ("Good") based on prior model year data. So far there are 0 recalls and 1 owner complaint on file. This is a prediction — the actual score will be available once more real-world data accumulates.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek?

There aren't enough owner complaints to establish common problem patterns yet for the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek. Based on prior model years, review known issues from previous years to understand potential problem areas.

How many recalls does the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek have?

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek has no recalls on record, which is a positive indicator.

How is the predicted score calculated?

The predicted score of 78/100 is calculated by averaging reliability scores from prior model years of the same generation. When generation data is unavailable, the average of the most recent model years is used. The prediction updates automatically as new data becomes available.

Don’t buy a 2026 Subaru Crosstrek without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Subaru Crosstrek.

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