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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2013–2017

Subaru XV CrossTrek recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 262 owner complaints for the Subaru XV CrossTrek, covering model years 2013 to 2017. The 2013 model year drew the most complaints (97), and Engine is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Subaru XV CrossTrek VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 3 recall campaigns on file
  • 262 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 5 model years with data (2013–2017)
  • most complaints: 2013 (97 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine (62 complaints)
  • latest recall 18V772000 (reported Nov 1, 2018)
  • 19 complaints reporting a crash (7.3%)
  • 4 complaints reporting a fire (1.5%)
  • 10 complaints reporting an injury (3.8%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Subaru XV CrossTrek complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2013 model year has the most complaints: 97 of 262, or 37.0%. Next come 2014 (81) and 2015 (78). The fewest are for 2017, with 3 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Subaru XV CrossTrek owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2013–2017Column chart of 262 complaints across 5 model years. The highest is 2013 with 97. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2013: 97 complaints9720132014: 81 complaints8120142015: 78 complaints7820152016: 3 complaints320162017: 3 complaints32017
Subaru XV CrossTrek complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Subaru XV CrossTrek complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2013975220
2014818150
2015785130
201630000
201731000
All model years262194100

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Subaru XV CrossTrek components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine is the component named most often, in 62 complaints (23.7% of all 262), followed by Power Train (53) and Electrical System (51).

Components named most often in Subaru XV CrossTrek complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Subaru XV CrossTrek complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine6223.7%
Unknown or Other5420.6%
Power Train5320.2%
Electrical System5119.5%
Service Brakes238.8%
Steering197.3%
Air Bags176.5%
Vehicle Speed Control176.5%
Fuel/Propulsion System93.4%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)83.1%
Exterior Lighting83.1%
Wheels83.1%
Structure72.7%
Visibility/Wiper72.7%
Visibility62.3%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Subaru XV CrossTrek recalls

3 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name XV CrossTrek, newest first. The 3 campaigns cover model years 2013 to 2015. The 2013 model year appears in the most campaigns (2).

  • 3 recall campaigns
Subaru XV CrossTrek recall campaigns covering each model year
2013: 2 campaigns2014: no campaigns2015: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 18V772000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine

    Model year 2013

    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.

    Consequence:
    An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.

    Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation

  2. NHTSA campaign 15V366000

    Reported

    Forward Collision Avoidance › Crash Imminent Braking; Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch

    Model year 2015

    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.

    Consequence:
    If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.

    Filed by Subaru of America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 13V061000

    Reported

    Equipment; Electrical System

    Model year 2013

    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.

    Consequence:
    The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
    Remedy:
    Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

    Filed by Subaru of America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Subaru XV CrossTrek questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Subaru XV CrossTrek have?

NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recall campaigns for the Subaru XV CrossTrek, covering model years 2013 to 2017. The most recent, 18V772000, was reported on November 1, 2018 and is filed under “Engine and engine cooling”. The 2013 model year is covered by the most campaigns (2).

Which Subaru XV CrossTrek model year has the most complaints?

The 2013 model year, with 97 of the 262 complaints in NHTSA’s file (37.0%). The next are 2014 (81) and 2015 (78). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Subaru XV CrossTrek complaint?

Engine is the component named most often: 62 complaints, or 23.7% of all 262. Power Train (53) and Electrical System (51) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Subaru XV CrossTrek?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Subaru dealer.

How many Subaru XV CrossTrek complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 262 complaints, 19 report a crash, 4 a fire, 10 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Subaru models

8 models · most complaints first

The Subaru models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Subaru VIN decoder with every Subaru model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Subaru models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.