Model year record
2020 Subaru Crosstrek recalls & problems
The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 71 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is visibility/wiper (30 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2020 Subaru Crosstrek SW AWD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 15.6% |
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Crosstrek AWD
| City / highway | 27 / 33 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,250/year to fuel
Crosstrek AWD
| City / highway | 22 / 29 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 30 | 3,000 mi |
| Electrical system | 11 | 1,000 mi |
| Power train | 11 | — |
| Unknown or other | 9 | — |
| Engine | 5 | — |
| VisibilityWindshield | 4 | 11,500 mi |
| StructureBody | 2 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | — |
| Seat belts | 2 | — |
| Service brakes | 2 | — |
| Forward collision avoidanceAutomatic emergency braking | 2 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Power train
Transmission failed at 62,000 miles out of gear on freeway. No power to get into shoulder. . I took it to dealer, they said it needed new transmission. I then took it to a specialist which ran diagnostic and said valve body/solenoid need replacement so I had the work done. Now at 63,000 2 months later same issue happened on the freeway. Specialist is replacing the entire transmission now. Iâve come to understand this is very common with the crosstrek. The 2019 has an extended drivetrain warranty to 100k miles. My 2020 is only warranted to 60k miles. The warranty should be extended to 2020 crosstrek a as well.
- Power train
Failing camshaft carrier seals causing oil leaks. This issue as a known issue to subaru engines in many models and no recalls have been made. This issue can cause a fire in the engine if not render over time. This vehicle has less than 60k miles with barely 5 years. Other models are failing with the same issue, if not with lower milage.
- Electrical system
I own a 2020 Subaru Crosstrek. While driving on the freeway in heavy traffic, I had to make a hard stop due to traffic ahead. When the vehicle came to a complete stop, the engine automatically shut off as part of the vehicleâs auto start-stop system. When I released the brake to proceed with traffic, the vehicle attempted to restart, but displayed a âDisabledâ message and the auto start-stop system became disabled. I had to turn the vehicle completely off and restart it manually while stopped in active freeway traffic. This created a significant safety concern because the malfunction occurred on the freeway while surrounded by moving traffic. If the engine had failed to restart, the…
- Power train
DEFECT DESCRIPTION My 2020 Subaru Crosstrek has been diagnosed with diagnostic trouble code P2757 (Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Control Circuit Performance), which my authorized Subaru 802 Subaru retailer in Vermont has confirmed is caused by a defective CVT Control Valve Body. Subaru of America has acknowledged this exact defect in Technical Service Bulletin 16-156-25R (revised 10/28/25), which explicitly covers the 2013â2021MY Crosstrek 2.0L (FB20 engine, TR580 CVT) and prescribes replacement of the CVT Control Valve Body with an updated design incorporating an improved valve sleeve. This bulletin confirms that Subaru is aware of the design flaw in the original…
- Electrical system
While driving 2020 Crosstrek Hybrid, the dashboard lights suddenly flashed and then engine stalled, leaving me with no brakes and no steering. I rolled through straight through an intersection with four stop signs and I could not stop. Luckily no one was driving or walking at the time. I couldn't start car, even with a jump start. I bought a new Interstate battery with higher specs. Three days later the same thing happened, the car stalled while driving just about to park. The dashboard lights also flashed and I saw Hybrid System this time. Car was towed to the dealer and there was a huge amount of corrosion with the electrical system underneath the car. Previously, four times this winter…
- Engine
My 2020 Subaru Crosstrek CVT Valve Body equipment failure and CVT Torque Converter failure. This appears to be a common failure for prior Subaru Crosstrek model - however was not extended for coverage to 2020 and beyond models - appears the issue still persists and additional year models should be covered. My vehicle experience the same failure for CVT Valve Body failure and CVT Torque Converter while driving at highway speeds. Problem occurs for previous Subaru Models example: MC-11021247-0001, Subaru Service Bulletin: 16-155-25R where Subaru extended coverage to 10yrs/100k miles or +1 year from date of notification - and my vehicle is currently at the Subaru Dealership for repairs for…
- Engine
My 2020 Subaru Crosstrek experienced a sudden loss of motive power and stalled due to a blown ignition fuse. Diagnostic code P1604 (Startability Malfunction) was stored. Inspection by Wayne Subaru (Invoice #25340) confirmed the Cylinder 3 ignition coil had shorted and physically melted. This is the exact failure mode described in Subaru Safety Recall WRE-21 (NHTSA Campaign 21V825000), which currently only covers 2018â2019 models. My vehicle experienced a thermal event and a stall despite being a 2020 model. The dealer replaced only the melted coil and did NOT update the ECM software. This leaves the vehicle at risk of a repeat stall in traffic, as the underlying software defect that…
- Electrical system
Beginning one year after buying this used 2020 Subaru Crosstrek base trim the starter failed and battery fully died after failing to start from a stop. The engine was OFF due to the auto-stop system and failed upon lifting my foot from the brake on a slight incline, causing a constant warning beep and a starter system failure message on the dash display. Immediately after failing to start the brake pressure significantly dropped causing my car to roll into the front of the car behind it. The car was stranded in the road and required a jump start. Since this event the issue has occurred twice more on two brand new batteries on no incline, and I now fully disable the auto-stop feature before…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.