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)

6 of 96 complaints match · Visibility & wipers · clear filters

Dec 23, 2024Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

The fan in my car, that controls the heat/air-conditioning, went out causing my windows to fog up since it was raining & I couldn't use the dehumidifier. I couldn't see & had to manually wipe my windshield several times & drive with my hazard lights on in order to get the car home. There were no warning lights on the dashboard. I took the car to a mechanic shop on another day, when they could not find the problem through a diagnostic the mechanic took apart the dashboard & that's when he found the wires connected to the control panel were melting/overheating. He said it was very dangerous because it could cause the car to catch fire. He said he had to leave the wires disconnected to prevent the car catching fire until the wires and control panel could be replaced. When I looked up if others were having the same problem, I found other Subaru Crosstrek owners with the same issue and many of them stated it happened again after replacing the affected parts. The control panel is not a wear-and-tear part so I was told I would have to get it from a Subaru dealership. I have not been able to take it to a Subaru dealership yet due to the weather but the car is available for inspection upon request. It has not been inspected yet by anyone besides my mechanic.

NHTSA ODI 11632206

Aug 2, 2022Visibility & wipers

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 recall

NHTSA ODI 11477239

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

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

Aug 1, 2016Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU XV CROSSTREK. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST THE AIR CONDITIONER, THE MOTOR SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAN FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATER BLOWER CONTROL POWER PLUG SHORTED AND MELTED THE CONNECTOR. AS A RESULT, THE HEATER BLOWER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,454.

NHTSA ODI 10892114

Sep 7, 2015Visibility & wipers

THE MOONROOF/SUNROOF HAS EXPLODED. THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE OUTWARD BREAK PATTERN.

NHTSA ODI 10761963

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 →