Owners have reported 6 crashes, 3 fires and 5 injuries to NHTSA for the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints108
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners report frequent occurrences of windshield cracks in the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek, often appearing without any known impact or reason. Complaints frequently mention cracks originating from the bottom corners or edges of the windshield, with some forming while the vehicle is parked. Many owners describe having multiple windshield replacements, sometimes within a short time frame of purchasing the vehicle. There are reports of cracks affecting the functionality of safety features like the EyeSight driver assist technology. An injury was noted when a rear view mirror detached, although no crashes or fires are reported. This pattern of windshield issues is often noted regardless of mileage, suggesting potential concerns for used car buyers.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints39
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several electrical system issues with the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek, most notably premature parasitic battery drain often linked to the digital communication module (DCM) and Starlink technology, which persists even after battery replacement. Complaints frequently mention rapid battery discharge, requiring multiple jump starts or replacements, sometimes within days. Multiple owners describe problems with dashboard warning lights and infotainment system malfunctions, including random shutdowns and connectivity issues. These issues typically arise around 20,000 to 50,000 miles. Safety concerns include instances of vehicles not starting, sudden loss of power while driving, and potential lockout scenarios involving children, though no crashes or fires are reported.
Owner complaints39
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report issues with windshield cracking and spontaneous glass shattering, including sunroofs and rear windows, often without any apparent cause or impact. Complaints also describe intermittent starting problems, where dashboard warning lights such as "Check Engine" and "RAB Disabled" appear, especially in colder weather or after sitting idle. Sudden acceleration incidents are noted, with one reported crash when the vehicle surged forward unexpectedly while parking. Additionally, there is a report of a fire occurring while driving on the highway. These issues typically arise in vehicles with mileage ranging from 25,000 to 40,000 miles, and they pose potential safety risks, including visibility impairment and loss of vehicle control.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints21
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report issues with the powertrain, particularly involving the CVT transmission and engine control. Common symptoms include unexpected loss of acceleration, engine stalling, and erratic RPM behavior during acceleration, often occurring at various speeds and sometimes leading to complete loss of motive power. Complaints often arise around 15,000 to 74,000 miles, with some incidents resulting in crashes or fires, and one report of injury due to sudden acceleration. These issues are noted to cause significant safety concerns, as they can lead to dangerous situations such as sudden stops or unintended vehicle movement.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints15
STEERING
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report issues related to steering, with common complaints involving sudden and unexpected steering movements. Symptoms often include the vehicle veering or swerving without driver input, particularly at highway speeds, and difficulties with lane departure and lane assist features, causing the car to pull aggressively to one side. These issues are reported across various mileages, with some occurring as early as 3,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as multiple owners describe near-miss situations where they had to fight the steering to maintain control, sometimes resulting in the vehicle crossing lanes unexpectedly. For potential buyers, understanding these steering concerns and their prevalence in this model year could be crucial, especially when considering vehicles with active recalls or those without completed repairs.
Owner complaints10
ENGINE
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report issues with the engine, particularly related to ignition coils and battery performance. Complaints often describe the vehicle hesitating during acceleration and unexpected engine shutdowns, sometimes while driving at highway speeds. One report involves a crash where the vehicle accelerated without warning, resulting in a collision with a tree. Several owners mention repeated battery failures, with the battery failing to hold a charge even after replacement. These issues often occur despite previous repairs or recalls and can result in a loss of motive power, which poses potential safety risks.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek frequently report issues with the vehicle's fuel/propulsion system, particularly involving hesitation and loss of power during acceleration. Complaints describe symptoms such as the car cutting out momentarily when the accelerator is pressed, stalling at slow speeds, and sluggish performance. These issues often occur shortly after purchase, with some owners experiencing problems from the outset or within the first few thousand miles. Safety concerns are noted, as one owner mentions the car stalling while pulling into an intersection, highlighting potential risks during traffic maneuvers. Additionally, a hybrid system failure linked to corrosion of an exposed electrical cable is mentioned, though it appears less common.
Owner complaints3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek report issues related to unexpected acceleration, particularly in parking situations and when using cruise control. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle accelerating or lurching forward on its own while parking, with one incident leading to a crash and injuries. Another issue involves the cruise control system causing the vehicle to accelerate to speeds as high as 90 or 100 mph unexpectedly on highways. These issues have been reported at various times without clear mileage patterns. The safety implications include potential crashes and injuries, as evidenced by the reported accident.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints2
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek report issues with the service brakes, including brake pedal failure and unintended acceleration, as well as engine stalling when braking suddenly. One report describes a crash occurring at approximately 31,200 miles, where the brakes failed to respond, leading to a collision and a passenger injury. Another owner describes the engine stalling during hard braking on two occasions, one on a highway and another on a country road, although no crashes resulted. These complaints highlight potential safety implications such as loss of control and the risk of accidents, particularly during sudden stops or emergency braking situations.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners report issues with the airbag system in the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek, particularly involving the deactivation of safety features. Complaints frequently mention the EyeSight system turning off and the airbag warning light activating, alongside the failure of cruise control and lane assistance. There are also reports of the passenger side airbag occupant classification system deactivating when the seat is occupied. These issues appear at relatively low mileages, with one owner noting a failure around 8,000 miles. The safety implications include the potential non-deployment of airbags during an accident, which is a significant concern for prospective buyers.
