Crosstrek (GP)
Data covers 4 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
2.0L Naturally Aapirated
2.0LView details
Complaint Breakdown
Subaru Crosstrek Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
2.0L NA HEV
2.0L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.0L Naturally Aspirated HEV
2.0LView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
2.0L NA
2.0L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek
That's below the typical rate for hybrids in this dataset (median 7.0 per year). Battery & propulsion complaints are lower than peer average for this category.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 10 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Sample complaint excerpts
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2016] On Jan 7th, during rush-hour traffic on the highway, without any warning all of my vehicle lights began to dim. The power steering and brakes went out. I was able to steer to the side of the road. Then, all of the lights went out and the car shut off. I was unable to shift the vehicle into park, and as I was going up a hill at the time, I was forced to roll backwards slowly and engage the emergenc
- [2016] HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, MAJORITY OF IT HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, AND I EXITED OFF THE HIGHWAY. I WAITED AT A STOP LIGHT AND THEN TURNED ONTO A SECONDARY ROAD. THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN GAVE ALL WARNING LIGHTS WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM AND I LOST ACCELERATION IN THE VEHICLE. IT MADE IT VERY HARD TO STEER, AND WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS IT BARELY HAD ANY POWER TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE. FELT
- [2014] The contact owns a 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Check Hybrid System" message was displayed on the instrument panel before the hybrid system shut off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with high voltage battery failure due to the battery being filled with water. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer.
Electric Propulsion
- [2014] LOSS OF POWER/VEHICLE DIES WHILE IN DRIVING. DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. HILL START ASSIST LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE HAS NO POWER.
- [2014] THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 45 DAYS CAR HAS BEEN FOR SERVICE. CAR HAS BEEN SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HYBRID BATTERY. CAR IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, OR DE ACCELERATES. THE CAR HAS A LOSS OF POWER. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE (GIVE IT GAS), THE OPPOSITE OCCURS, IT LOSES POWER TO THE POINT OF SHUTTING DOWN. MY CAR IS GOING TO KILL M
- [2015] While driving at normal operating speed, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of engine power with no prior warning. There were no dashboard alerts, warning lights, or check engine indicators before the failure occurred. The vehicle became immediately unsafe to operate and had to be pulled over in a main highway center lane divide. After inspection by a licensed mechanic, it was det
High-Voltage Battery
- [2014] The contact owns a 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Check Hybrid System" message was displayed on the instrument panel before the hybrid system shut off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with high voltage battery failure due to the battery being filled with water. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer.
- [2015] BATTERY FAILURE AT 4000 MILES
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Crosstrek, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek
On a used 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (125), the engine (105) and the transmission and drivetrain (103). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 125 owner complaints on the 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek about the electrical system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 105 owner complaints on the 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek about the engine.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 103 owner complaints on the 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek about the transmission and drivetrain.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 44 owner complaints on the 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek about the brakes.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 39 owner complaints on the 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek about the steering.
Recalls (4)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek complaints?
Owners have filed 563 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the engine and the transmission.
Is the 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 563 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek have?
NHTSA has 563 owner complaints on file for the 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Subaru Crosstrek?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the engine and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Crosstrek?
The 2017 Subaru Crosstrek received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (15.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 563 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.