Home · 2013 Subaru Xv Crosstrek · Complaints

What 96 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Subaru Xv Crosstrek

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (96)Crash / fire / injury (8)Engine (35)Transmission & drivetrain (21)Electrical system (14)Steering (9)Brakes (6)Visibility & wipers (6)Wheels (6)Fuel system (5)Speed control (5)Airbags (4)

Newest first · 96 complaints · page 2 of 4

Mar 2, 2022Electrical system

Unable to remove key from Ignition when placed in Park

NHTSA ODI 11454804

Jul 20, 2021Steering

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 independent mechanics who were both unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. An appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,400.

NHTSA ODI 11425676

Jun 8, 2021EngineFire

On October 31 2020, The AC compressor on my vehicle caught fire while I was driving. This caused a foul odorous smoke to fill the cabin of my vehicle which was cough inducing and limited my vision. The air conditioner was not on at this time because of pleasant ambient temperatures outside. I no longer have this part because it was replaced at the dealership along with the serpentine belt that was damaged due to the fire. There was no warning light or noticeable change in the vehicle driving before the incident. I was unaware that I could report this incident until I found this website today.

NHTSA ODI 11420138

Jun 8, 2021

The key will not come out of the ignition when the vehicle is in park. Sometimes it has to sit a few minutes before I can remove it. Sometimes it has to sit for many hours before I can remove it. I've been dealing with it for 10 months.

NHTSA ODI 11420201

May 27, 2021Visibility & wipers

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 that the sunroof needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the part was on backorder. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ODI 11418803

May 10, 2021Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

I PURCHASED 2013 SUBARU CROSSTREK I AM 2ND OWNER, I NEVER SEE ANY PROBLEM FOR ENGINE LIGHT CHECK AND END UP CONTROL CURISE BLINKING AND SUBARU WILL NOT PROVIDED ANY RECALL FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUE IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVING THEY SAID ONLY WILL WARRANTY UNDER 100K THAT UNFAIR THIS NOT SAFE CAR AND SO MANY COMMON ISSUE TRANSMISSION ON SUBARU. IT'S FIRST MAKE 2013 ON CROSSTREK HOW IT'S EXPECT UNDER 100K MILES... SHOULD RECALL FOR TRANSMISSION FIX

NHTSA ODI 11415955

May 2, 2021

I CAN"T REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN PARK. THIS ISSUE WARRANTS A RECALL. THIS IS CAUSED BY PROBLEMS WITH THE PARK-RANGE SWITCH ACROSS SEVERAL SUBARU MODELS FROM 2012-2018. SUBARU ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN 16-112-18R REGARDING THIS ON 3/15/18. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE BY OWNERS, DEALERSHIPS AND SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA). NUMEROUS CAR FORUMS AND BLOGS ADDRESS OWNERS' STEPS TO GET THIS REPAIRED. THE SOLUTIONS OFFERED BY THE DEALERS RANGE FROM ' YOUR CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT WILL RUN HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX' TO ' YES THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BRING IT IN AND WE WILL REPLACE IT NO CHARGE'. SOA'S RESPONSE TO OWNERS VARIED FROM 'WE WILL TAKE CARE IT TO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF WE CAN HELP YOU OUT'. MY DEALER'S RESPONSE WAS '$700 TO REPAIR ' YOU MIGHT CALL SOA TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP OUT.' I DID CALL SOA AND THEY TOLD ME TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER AND LET THEM KNOW WHEN IT WAS ' BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY HELP ON THE COST AT THAT POINT. IT DOES APPEAR THAT SOA WILL COVER THE COST BUT YOU MAY NOT BE TOLD THAT INITIALLY. FORTUNATELY/UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS A QUICK FIX EASILY FOUND ONLINE THAT YOU CAN DO IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES BY DISCONNECTING THE SWITCH TO THE IGNITION. THIS SOLVES THE PROBLEM OF THE STUCK KEY BUT ALSO DISABLES THE CHIME IF YOU LEAVE THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND ALSO ALLOWS YOU TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IF THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK. SO NOW, IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL, YOU CAN LOCK YOUR KEYS IN THE CAR AND IF THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK OR THE HAND BREAK IS NOT ENGAGED YOUR CAR WILL ROLL AWAY. I HAVE DONE THE QUICK FIX ' BUT EVEN WITH ALL SORTS OF WAYS TO HELP ME REMEMBER I AM NOT COMFORTABLE.. THIS IS A SAFTEY ISSUE. WHEN I MENTIONED THE FIX TO SOA AS CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE THEY SAID THAT WAS MY PROBLEM NOT THEIRS. REALLY? MY CAR IS S 2013 AND I WILL NOT COMMIT TO $700 AT THE DEALER WITHOUT KNOWING IF SOA WILL PAY.

NHTSA ODI 11414795

Apr 8, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

HILL DESCENT, SWAY CONTROL, ABS LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME ON THE WAY TO WORK, I WAS COMING OF AN EXIT. I HAD THE CODES CHECKED AND NOTHING WAS SHOWING. OVER A MONTH LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TEMP LIGHTS CAME ON MY TO WORK. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND AND PARKED MY CAR. TRANS TEMP LIGHT WAS BLINKING. A FEW DAYS LATER I HAD IT TAKEN TO A SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. I PAID FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE RESULT WAS A $1600 BILL FOR A VALVE BODY KIT, TRANS COVER GASKET, O-RING, TRANS BODY WIRING HARNESS.

NHTSA ODI 11407085

Jan 13, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

I HAVE MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE, ALWAYS COMPLETE ROUTINE MAINTNENCE AND AS I WAS ON A TRIP, ALL OF MY LIGHTS CAME ON. I FLUSHED TRANSMISSION AND THEY CAME BACK ON. I HAVE RESEARCHED MY ISSUE AND IT IS COMMON WITH THIS YEAR. SUBARU EVEN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH THESE YEARS, YET HAS RECALLED ANY OF THE PARTS RELATED TO THE CVT TRANSMISSION. I HAD NO ISSUES, NO WARNING, WAS JUST DRIVING AND EVERYTHING CAME ON.

NHTSA ODI 11387829

Dec 15, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY FAILED, SOLENOID 2 FAIL, AFFECTS TRACTION CONTROL, STABILITY CONTROL, ABS, AND HILL START CONTROL. CAUSES TRANSMISSION TEMPTS TO OVERHEAT.

NHTSA ODI 11383589

Dec 10, 2020Brakes

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 RPMS AND THEN I HAVE TO PUT MY FOOT UNDER THE BRAKE AND PUSH IT UP AGAIN. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING THE HILL ASSIST LIGHT, ON THE DASHBOARD WILL TURN ON AND THE CAR WILL ROLL DOWN THE HILL ANY DIRECTION WHEN IN REVERSE OR DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE SWITCH. I HAD GONE TO SUBARU TO DO THE RECALL FOR THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH AND THEN A FEW WEEKS AFTER THIS ISSUE BEGAN TO OCCUR.

NHTSA ODI 11382857

Nov 12, 2020LightsBrakes

BREAK LIGHTS TURN ON BY THEMSELVES WHEN CAR IS OFF. ALSO HAS IT DONE IT TWICE WERE I TOOK A SECOND TO RESPOND TO THE GAS PEDAL

NHTSA ODI 11374394

Nov 2, 2020Electrical system

ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE TRAVELING OVER 70 MPH ON I-26 OUTSIDE OF COLUMBIA, SC THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRIC SYSTEM APPEARED TO MALFUNCTION AND VEHICLE DIED IMMEDIATELY. THE CLOCK, FUEL ECONOMY READINGS, AND RADIO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO BE MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE WITH NO ACCELERATION CAPABILITY OR POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS CAPABLE OF BEING RESTARTED. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO FAULTS, ERRORS OR ANYTHING NOTED SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE, ASSUMING IT WAS A ONE TIME EVENT. THE SECOND TIME, THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AND THEN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. FOLLOWING THE SECOND TIME, CHECK ENGINE ILLUMINATED, AS WELL AS THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL IMAGE WAS BLINKING. PRIOR TO ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS, I WAS HAVING MAY ISSUES ENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND TRIED MULTIPLE BUTTON SEQUENCES TO MAKE CRUISE CONTROL WORK. I WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE TO AUTOPARTS STORE WHERE CODE READ P0021. TO GET SAFELY HOME, THE AUTOPARTS STORE RECOMMENDED THAT I DO A RESET BY DISCONNECTING BATTERY AND TURNING OFF ALL ELECTRONICS. THIS WORKED AND I HAVE DRIVEN SINCE WITHOUT THE SAME EVENT. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN FATAL AND MUST BE INVESTIGATED.

NHTSA ODI 11372655

Sep 14, 2020SuspensionEngine

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 MILES

NHTSA ODI 11354846

Sep 11, 2020Visibility & wipers1 injury

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A STRAIGHT PORTION OF THE INTERSTATE. SPEED WAS APROX. 70 MPH AND AMBIENT TEMP. APROX. 70 F. FRONT PASSENGER SIDE MAIN WINDOW SHATTERED. NO OBJECT WAS OBSERVED TO HAVE HIT WINDOW PRIOR TO IT SHATTERING.

NHTSA ODI 11354510

Jul 24, 2020

THE KEY GETS STUCK AND I CAN'T GET IT OUT I HAVE LOOKED THIS UP AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11341371

Jul 22, 2020Transmission & drivetrainEngine

SLOW STARTING WHEN TURNING OVER FROM STOP/PARK/COLD/HOT. EXCESSIVE OIL USE AFTER EACH 3,000 MILES. NO LIGHT WARNING FOR LOW OIL DISPLAYS. ENGINE BOGS OR ALMOST STALLS WHEN GIVING GAS. USUALLY WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS RUNNING. THIS STARTED TO OCCUR AFTER I HAD THE VALVE SPRING RECALL TAKEN CARE OF. AND ALL IGNITION COILS REPLACED. THE IGNITION COILS CAUSED EXCESSIVE STALLING DOWNHILL TO UPHILL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS YET USUALLY OCCURRED WHEN APPLYING GAS FROM SLOW TO MID-SPEED WHEN APPLYING GAS. MY THOUGHT WERE IT WAS DUE TO THE RECALL BUT EVIDENTLY HAD NOT RELATION. AS PER SUBARU DEALER ON MAUI. REAR WHEEL BEARING REPEATEDLY REPLACE. 3 TIMES IN ONE 1 AND A HALF YEARS. START WITH WITH WINDING NOISE THEN GETS WORSE VERY QUICKLY. WITHIN 1 TO 2 MONTHS. FELT /FEELS VERY UNSAFE. DRIVING AT SLOWER SPEED OKAY AT THE RANGE OF 45-60 MPH NOISE IS VERY PREDOMINATE. THUS REQUIRING TO DRIVE AT SLOWER SPEEDS THAN REQUIRED, I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED. IN THE COURSE OF LESS THAN 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD ALL THESE ISSUES. ALL THESE ISSUES WHERE IN THE COURSE OF BETWEEN 2018 AND 2020.

NHTSA ODI 11341024

Jul 6, 2020Engine

I HAD A RECALL DONE ON AN ENGINE SPRING IN AUGUST. AT THE END OF JUNE I EXPERIENCE POWER LOSS AND BLOW BACK. I HAVEN'T HAD IT CHECKED YET BUT I'VE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE FAILURE AFTER THIS RECALL. I'M WONDERING IF MINE FITS.

NHTSA ODI 11337667

Jun 9, 2020Engine

FOLLOWING THE VALVE SPRING RECALL REPAIR, ENGINE SPUTTERS AND HESITATES AT STOP LIGHTS AND IN SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC, AND ENGINE CONSUMES 800% SINCE THE REPAIR. NO PROBLEMS BEFORE VALVE SPRING RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP, DESTROYING AN OTHERWISE GOOD CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328065

Jun 5, 2020SteeringElectrical system

AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM IGNITION, KEY GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327410

May 23, 2020Wheels

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 THUMPING NOISE. ONE OF THE NUTS WAS MISSING FROM THE TIRE AND ALL THE NUTS ON THE FRONT TIRE WERE EXTREMELY LOOSE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND I AM GLAD MY TIRE DID NOT FALL OFF AT HIGH SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11325667

May 4, 2020Electrical system

OUR SUBARU CROSSTREK RECENTLY HAD A SENSOR ISSUE CAUSING THE CAR TO THINK IT WASN'T IN PARK WHEN IT WAS IN FACT IN PARK. THIS CAUSED THE IGNITION TO NOT RELEASE THE KEY PROPERLY, WHICH MEANT YOU COULD NOT LEAVE THE CAR UNLESS YOU LEFT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND DIDN'T LOCK IT. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM ON SUBARUS BASED ON TALKING WITH SERVICE REPS AND SEARCHING THE INTERNET. WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED, I AM NOT SURE. THE REPAIR FOR THIS LITTLE SENSOR WAS QUITE EXPENSIVE. $449.00

NHTSA ODI 11323274

Apr 22, 2020Airbags

HIT A RATHER LARGE BUMP, NO DAMAGE TO CAR. SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND SCRATCHED MY NECK PRETTY BAD. I FEEL THAT THE IMPACT OF THE BUMP DID NOT EVEN CLOSE TO JUSTIFY A DEPLOYMENT. I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40MPH

NHTSA ODI 11321873

Feb 26, 2020Wheels

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.

NHTSA ODI 11311734

Feb 26, 2020Wheels

RUMBLE NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT RIGHT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACED. WITHOUT REPLACEMENT, WHEEL COULD FALL OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11311735

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Working with the data? Download all 96 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Subaru Xv Crosstrek verdict →