Owners have reported 9 crashes and 1 fire to NHTSA for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints57
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report issues with windshield cracking, often describing cracks that appear without any apparent impact or external cause. Symptoms include sudden cracks that start small and rapidly expand across the windshield, sometimes occurring while the vehicle is stationary or in motion. Many complaints do not specify mileage, but some mention the issue occurring within the first year of ownership. While no crashes or loss of control are reported, the unexpected nature of the cracks and the potential for visibility impairment are noted concerns. This information is relevant for used car buyers considering a 2018 Crosstrek, as windshield durability appears to be a common issue.
Owner complaints30
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report issues with spontaneous windshield cracking, with several complaints noting that cracks appear without any apparent impact. This issue often occurs while the vehicle is parked, and the cracks can obstruct the EyeSight system, potentially affecting steering and alignment. Multiple owners also describe problems with the vehicle's electrical systems, including battery failures and starting issues, sometimes requiring battery replacement or jump-starts. Additionally, a few reports mention serious safety concerns, including a fire incident where the vehicle was left running with the air conditioning on, and an issue with the hood latch that opens while driving. These problems are noted around varied mileage ranges, but some occur as early as 60,000 miles.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints27
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report issues with battery drainage, often occurring even after multiple battery replacements. Complaints describe the battery dying when the vehicle is left unused for a few days, with some attributing the issue to a parasitic drain from the data communication module (DCM). Another common problem involves the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) failing around 69,000 miles, with the system no longer providing low-tire-pressure warnings. Additionally, some owners mention problems with the factory alarm triggering unexpectedly and the radio malfunctioning, which may contribute to electrical drain. Safety implications include the risk of being stranded due to battery failure and the lack of tire pressure warnings, though no crashes or fires are reported. These issues often emerge after a few years of ownership, making them relevant considerations for used car buyers.
Owner complaints14
ENGINE
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report issues with engine performance, particularly acceleration hesitation and stalling. Symptoms typically include a delay in acceleration, engine stalls at intersections or during lane merging, and engine rev hang, which is most noticeable in stop-and-go traffic. These issues often occur at mileages ranging from 17,000 to 55,000 miles. Some complaints also mention high oil temperatures and engine component failures, such as the starter and PCV system. Safety concerns are noted, with some owners experiencing loss of power in traffic or near-stalls, potentially increasing the risk of collisions.
Owner complaints12
POWER TRAIN
Owners report several power train issues with the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, with complaints frequently mentioning jerky acceleration, hesitation, and stalling. These symptoms are often described as occurring at low speeds or during stop-and-go traffic, with some reports indicating issues at specific RPM ranges, such as 1700 RPM. Several complaints involve involuntary acceleration or stalling that led to crashes, particularly at low speeds or when climbing inclines. Mileage at the time of these issues varies, but some owners experience problems as early as 3,150 miles. Used car buyers should be aware of the potential for these power train issues, as they may affect the vehicle's safety and drivability.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek report issues with vehicle speed control, with several complaints describing unexpected acceleration, often when the vehicle is at low speeds or stopped. Symptoms include the car accelerating suddenly without input, sometimes leading to crashes, and instances where the vehicle does not accelerate as expected, causing jerky motion. These issues are reported across a range of mileages, notably around 20,000 to 85,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with four complaints involving crashes, although no injuries were reported. Buyers should be aware of these potential issues and consider having the vehicle inspected for speed control system anomalies.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints8
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report issues with windshield cracking, often describing cracks appearing suddenly without any apparent cause while driving or when the vehicle is stationary. Several owners mention experiencing multiple windshield replacements, with some occurring at relatively low mileages, such as around 21,700 miles. Additionally, there are reports of water collecting in the front doors when parked uphill, due to the design of the drain holes, and one instance of sunroof glass shattering unexpectedly. These issues generally do not indicate direct safety implications like crashes or loss of control, but they do affect visibility and could lead to further structural concerns if left unaddressed. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, particularly with the windshield, which may require frequent attention and could incur additional costs.
Owner complaints8
VISIBILITY
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report issues with windshield cracks that appear without any known impact. Complaints often describe cracks forming in various locations on the windshield, such as vertically near the passenger's side or above the rearview mirror, and expanding over time. These issues are commonly noted at mileages ranging from approximately 9,500 to 80,000 miles. Some owners also mention frequent chipping from minor impacts, suggesting a potential susceptibility to damage. There are no reports of crashes or injuries associated with these windshield issues, but the visibility obstruction could be a concern for safety-conscious buyers.
Owner complaints6
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report issues with the steering wheel locking, particularly when the wheel is turned to the left upon turning off the ignition. This problem often requires significant force to unlock, and is mentioned in multiple complaints spanning from 2022 to 2023. Additionally, some owners describe the engine shutting off unexpectedly while driving, resulting in a loss of power steering and difficulty maneuvering the vehicle to safety, with incidents occurring at moderate speeds. These issues have safety implications, as they can potentially lead to loss of vehicle control. Buyers should be aware of these recurring problems, especially if considering vehicles with similar timelines as those reported.
Owner complaints3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek report issues with the LED headlight system, particularly related to the swiveling feature. Complaints frequently mention that if the swiveling test feature fails upon starting the vehicle, the headlights turn off, even though the LED itself is functional. This problem is noted at around 40,600 miles and requires the replacement of the entire headlight assembly, which can be costly. There are safety implications as the loss of headlight functionality affects nighttime visibility. Additionally, owners describe dissatisfaction with the interior lighting color and brightness, which some find inadequate for visibility, especially in low-light conditions.
