2013 Subaru Crosstrek Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 71,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

The engine stalled unexpectedly during operation. I noticed a sudden loss of power, and the vehicle shut off without warning. This has happened more than once, posing a safety concern.Owner complaint, filed 2025

The engin malfunctioned. My safety and the safety of others was at risk because when an engin fails while driving it can cause a serious crash. The valve spring which is located inside the engin of the vehicle did fracture which resulted in the engin stalling while driving and was not able to be restarted. An engin stall while driving…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 66,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

On [XXX], while driving on public roads in West Allis, Wisconsin, the vehicle's dashboard warning lights began flashing and the transmission stopped shifting. The vehicle became stuck in a low/first-gear-type condition and would not drive normally. This was a sudden loss of normal motive power during operation. The driver was stranded…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission seized, causing the vehicle to come to a sudden stop. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 92,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

When the car is put in park the key will not come out of the ignition. Sometimes to be removed from ignition. Therefore the key will get stuck. The transmission has to be put back in drive and then back into park for the ignition system to recycle and release the key.sometimes it takes about 2 or 3 times to get the key out. I have had to…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that after refueling with the fuel tank at 3/4 tank full, the fuel gauge failed to provide the correct fuel level. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the fuel sending tank, but the failure continued to occur. The contact indicated that the failure had caused…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 1,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 86,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The windshield is cracked it is on the driver's side it is spidering down the windshield. I wad wondering if it was covered on the recallOwner complaint, filed 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the sunroof exploded causing glass shards to fall onto the contact. There was no injury sustained. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was inspected. The contact was informed…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 89,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 10,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

There is a little space between the brake lamp switch and brake that has my brake lights constantly on. While I am driving if I don't keep my left foot under the brake pedal and pushing it up then the brake lights will constantly be on. If I don't keep my foot there then sometimes when I am going up a hill or driving the car will drop…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 60,000 miles

I had the brake lamp switch recall performed in may of 2019 and now all of a sudden my brake lights are turning on all of a sudden by themselves at night time. The car is parked, not running and locked. I think I have received a defective switch. When I notice this I must go outside and step on the brake to turn them off. This has…Owner complaint, filed 2019

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 48,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left and to the right. The contact stated that the steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her destination at a slow speed. The contact took the vehicle to two…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 113,400 miles

We went skiing with our kids last saturday. There was an ice storm the night before and the roads were bad. We were traveling about 50 miles. I have driven icy roads my whole life and have owned several subarus. At any speed over 45 MPH the back end would kick sideways. I could tell by the other car's on the road that day that my problem…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 18,300 miles

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

I have been working with Subaru of America and Capital Subaru service in San Jose, CA for a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek XV 2.0 CVT automatic engine shortly after we bought it used for multiple faulty known engine problems with this specific make and model. Since we have owned the vehicle, we have not been able to drive it for more than 2…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Engine burst into flames during normal highway driving. Vehicle was well-maintained with all scheduled maintenance performed during the life of the vehicle. CEL was lit approximately 1 week before fire but driveability was normal.Owner complaint, filed 2022

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

While slowing to turn into a turn lane, my care unexpectedly accelerated to a very high speed, causing me to crash straight into a signal light post. The light post was knocked over by the force of impact. The car ended up around the corner, facing the opposite direction and having hit another car. Police responded to the scene and…Owner complaint, filed 2023

While coming to a yield sign to enter a major roadway I tried to accelerate and no response. After a few seconds car bogged and started to move again. This happens a lot even when taking off from a light. When to dealer to see if there was something wrong and they said they needed to flash the computer whatever that means. I love my…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 20,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 76,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

I recently switched tires from winter to summer tires. I brought in my subaru into the fremont subaru service center for service. I wanted to check all the nuts holding the tire on were properly torqued. I trusted them to do a good job, a couple days later while pulling out of my driveway I was rolling down the road when I heard a…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 63,000 miles

Rumble noise coming from rear of vehicle while driving. Upon inspection, it was found that right wheel bearing and hub assembly needed replaced. This could cause the wheel to fall off.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 131,293 miles

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was t-boned on 11/7 on the driver side door of the car. My car is totaled and the airbags, knee and curtain did not deploy and I was hit almost dead on on the B pillar. Unknown if the problem has been reproduced by the dealer.My knee is still hurting from the accident and my head smacked the frame.The vehicle has not been inspected by…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The dashboard light says that the airbag is OFF, while it is occupied by a large teenager (over 100lbs) in the Right Front passenger seat. Teenager was buckled into moving vehicle when this concern was observed. Front Right passenger airbag has never been deactivated by owner/driver. Took car to be inspected at a Subaru dealer on…Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

After taking my vehicle into dealership for valve spring recall, service rep also suggested oil change at same time. I agreed. As soon as I drove it off the dealership lot, check oil light came on. I immediately returned car to have it checked but dealership said oil was full, probably faulty sensor and sent me away without fully…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 82,000 miles

The sensor on the passenger seat turns in the air bags and seat belt sensor for well under the designed threshold. As an example it triggered for two 20 ounce bottles of soda. The vehicle was in motion on a city street.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 51,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

Left constant velocity (cv) joint has failed after only 66k miles. During turns the car makes a loud clicking noise that is distracting and I was concerned the car may inflict more damage to the drive system.Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 66,100 miles

Tvehicle bounces even when going over smooth roads. Engine seem try to stall while idled in drive mode. Rough starting of vehicle makes noises until warms. Vehicle has less than 55,000 milesOwner complaint, filed 2020, at 49,900 miles

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

Within 10 days of purchasing this vehicle a certified Subaru dealership documented the following safety defects. Both front CV axles failing and clicking on turns creating loss of vehicle control risk. EPS electronic power steering fault codes creating safety critical steering concern. CAN bus communication fault U0073 affecting multiple…Owner complaint, filed 2026

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

2013 subaru crosstrek(70k miles) passenger door caught on fire. Within 3 minutes of smelling smoke inside door panel was engulfed in flames. Went to the shoulder of the freeway, turned engine off, put out the flames, waited for the smoke to clear and the plastic to cool off. Upon restarting vehicle sparks and smoke visible so turned…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 70,000 miles