NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 288 owner complaints for the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek (including the hybrid).
Recalled components: electrical system, engine and cooling, seat belts, steering, and 2 more. Most-described problem: a cracked or shattered windshield (119 complaints, 41%). Most-reported area: visibility/wiper (113 complaints, 39%; median mileage when it happened: 11,400).
One of the Crosstrek years to avoid
The 2019 drew 200 owner complaints in its first three years, against 39 for a typical Crosstrek year: 5.1 times as many.
Years to avoid: 2018 and 2019; best years: 2016, 2022, and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated
Year to avoidBest year
Includes the Crosstrek plug-in hybrid. Subaru sold the 2013 to 2015 models as the XV Crosstrek.
8 safety recalls for the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek
Grouped by the part recalled, largest group first, newest first within each part. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
Risk: A 12-Volt battery that is unable to recharge can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The harness terminal that supplies low-voltage power from the converter to the 12-Volt battery may corrode and break, preventing the 12-Volt battery from charging.
Fix: Dealers will replace the converter terminal mounting bracket. If corrosion is found on the terminals, the 12-Volt output harness and terminals will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 12, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-23.
8,413 vehicles.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Crosstrek Hybrid vehicles.
Risk: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Fix: 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.
466,205 vehicles.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles.
NHTSA listing: CROSSTREK. Components: Electrical system: ignition; Electrical system: software; Engine and cooling: engine, engine control module (ecu/ecm), software; Engine and cooling: exhaust system, manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe. Subaru campaign WRE-21.
Risk: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
466,205 vehicles.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
51,613 vehicles.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles.
Risk: In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.
Fix: 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.
4,862 vehicles.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism.
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
Fix: 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.
10,417 vehicles.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles.
Risk: Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
Fix: 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.
408,271 vehicles.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles.
Risk: Improperly tempered glass can shatter into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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."
Fix: 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.
Fails federal standard 205 · 256 vehicles.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek.
What owners report
Owners have filed 288 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Crosstrek. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Cracked or shattered windshield119 · 41%
Median 13,000 miles at failure, from 89 reports with mileage
Median 11,400 miles at failure, from 84 reports with mileage
Electrical system54 · 19%
Median 9,000 miles at failure, from 25 reports with mileage
Engine34 · 12%
Median 8,300 miles at failure, from 18 reports with mileage
Powertrain24 · 8%
Steering15 · 5%
Fuel and propulsion system14 · 5%
Visibility11 · 4%
Most named: windshield (9)
Unknown or other50 · 17%
Median 8,000 miles at failure, from 27 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Subaru Crosstrek recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2019 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2019 Crosstrek drew the most (200).
Owner complaints
2019: 288 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Subaru Crosstrek
Model year
Complaints
2013
124
2014
107
2015
100
2016
136
2017
99
2018
195
2019
288
2020
71
2021
116
2022
32
2023
36
2024
121
2025
48
2026
11
Safety recalls
2019: 8 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Subaru Crosstrek
Model year
Recalls
2013
3
2014
1
2015
2
2016
1
2017
1
2018
5
2019
8
2020
1
2021
2
2022
1
2023
0
2024
2
2025
0
2026
3
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 288 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek, the problems described most are a cracked or shattered windshield (119), stalling or shutting off (16), and a dead battery or battery drain (16). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek.
How do I check if my Crosstrek has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Subaru dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: CROSSTREK, CROSSTREK HYBRID.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.