NHTSA has received 194 owner complaints about the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, or 22.4 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.53, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #35 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Subaru models its rate is 43% lower; against other Subcompact SUVs it is 9% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2017-09-26 and 2026-07-07. Median delay from incident to filing: 17 days.
194Complaints
22.4Complaints per year on the road
0.53Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
5Recalls
5.7%Share involving a crash or fire
10Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 37.0 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 54 complaints, 39% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Body & structure (37.6% of complaints), followed by Engine (17.0%) and Electrical (13.9%). Body & structure complaints are 4.1 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Body & structure reports, owners most often mention “windshield”, “crack”, “small”, “apparent” and “bottom”. 11 reports (5.7%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 31 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (27% of incidents). 10 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for this model year. 34% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.53
vs. other Subaru models0.57
vs. other 2018 models0.46
vs. other Subcompact SUVs0.91
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (54)0.61
2018 Subaru Crosstrek rapidly accelerated unexpectedly while pulling into a parking space with the foot on the brake. Hit a concrete pole and sustained vehicle damage and injuries.
Interior & equipment · 2026-04-25 · ODI 11733779 · Crash
Waiting in line to pickup prescription, stopped with foot on brake and vehicle accelerated into car approx 15 ft in front of me. Eye sight braking did not stop car, nor did imminent collision warning engage.
Brakes · 2023-10-27 · ODI 11552267 · Crash
On 06/26/26, while traveling at highway speeds, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of motive power in active traffic due to a blown out/melted Cylinder 4 ignition coil.
Engine · 2026-07-07 · ODI 11748847
3/3!2026 while driving heat stop working. Called Milea Saburu spoke to Christian made an appointment for 3/5/2026 they had nothing sooner. Told her what happened. Brought in they gave me loaner 12 days later on 3/18/2026 pick up car.
Electrical · 2026-03-20 · ODI 11725821
Dangerous stall in traffic due to ignition coil failure. Ignition coils and spark plugs were replaced during the WRE21 recall campaign only 13k miles ago back in 2021. Stopped at red light awaiting to turn left when the vehicle started shaking violently.
Engine · 2026-03-11 · ODI 11723589
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek?
194 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, or about 22.4 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek?
The most common category is Body & structure, accounting for 37.6% of complaints.
Does the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek still generating complaints?
10 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
How does the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 194 owner complaints about the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, or 22.4 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.53, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #35 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Subaru models its rate is 43% lower; against other Subcompact SUVs it is 9% lower.