Model year record
2023 Subaru Crosstrek recalls & problems
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 35 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (11 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2023 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
2023 Subaru Crosstrek SW AWD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 15.6% |
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid SW AWD
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
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 Hybrid AWD Plug-in Hybrid
| City / highway | 36 / 35 mpg |
|---|---|
| Electric range | 17 mi |
| On electricity | 90 MPGe · 38 kWh/100 mi |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · All-Wheel Drive · about $1,900/year to fuel
Crosstrek AWD
| City / highway | 28 / 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 | 27 / 34 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/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* |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 11 | — |
| Forward collision avoidanceAutomatic emergency braking; Warnings | 7 | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | — |
| Electrical system | 6 | — |
| Engine | 5 | — |
| Service brakes | 4 | — |
| Lane departureBlind spot detection; Assist | 3 | — |
| TiresPressure monitoring and regulating systems | 2 | — |
| Air bags | 2 | — |
| Seats | 1 | — |
| StructureBody | 1 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Power train
2023 Subaru Crosstrek, 88,000 miles. Oil temperature warning light illuminated on October 5, 2026; dealer diagnosed CVT torque converter failure requiring replacement ($2,954 repair). This is the second CVT failure in two months: the same dealer replaced the CVT valve body in August 2026 (~$3,400) for the same warning light. Vehicle has remained parked at the dealer since the failure â driving with a failing torque converter can damage the CVT. Submitting as a transmission defect report."
- Service brakes
Often the brakes are squishy. They require me to push almost all the way down on the brake pedal to engage. This has happened several times of the last year.
- Electrical system
The battery and electrical system died while I was at a red light in traffic on my way to work. I was stuck on a major road with trucks and traffic behind me while I was stuck in the middle lane. I had to wait for help to be pushed out of traffic to the sidewalk and wait for a jump. The Subaru dealership confirmed this was an issue with their battery and auto stop/start system and charged me $600 to replace the battery. When it died, every light on my dashboard lit up but there was no prior warning. I no longer have this vehicle as I did not feel safe driving it anymore and I traded it in for something completely different.
- Electrical systemCrash1 injury
Purchased vehicle 8/27/2025 within 1 day and 1 month of 2 separate class action lawsuits. Purchased from CarMax Wilmington. Car produced electrical shock to my hand first time I attempted to pair the vehicle. Parkway stated at that time I was under an additional warranty but the vehicle would require constant âupdatesâ. This was an intentional deception to prevent me from pursuing what is required under the law, which is the replacement of head unit and subsequent by back of the vehicle when those services fail. "I am reporting a severe pre-crash safety module defect and subsequent dealer concealment on a 2023 Subaru Crosstrek. Two weeks prior to being rear-ended, Parkway Subaru in…
- Electrical system
Replaced battery 3 times. Believe this car has the parasitic battery issue. Attached on of the bills. Looking for the other 2.
- Service brakes
the rear brakes keep engaging while the car is driving. we purchased the car in November 2022. this happened in December 2024 & at the time a dealership in [XXX] area (where my son attended college), said it was an issue and replaced parts in the brake system. yesterday while we were driving back from [XXX] to Houston - the brakes started to make loud squeaking noise as if they were engaged and the brake light keep going on and off. fortunately, this happened very near to Houston and we drove slowly on by roads back home. it feels likes driving with hand brake engaged. fortunately nothing happened to us. but this is a systemic problem with subaru crosstek! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO…
- Engine
Passenger side valve cover gasket and spark plug seal failure.
- Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking
I was driving today January 30th 2026 on the road going 35 mph into the sunlight and all of the sudden my vehicle acted like I slammed on my brakes and I jerked forward almost hitting my chin in the steering wheel. Luckily no one was close behind me or I could have easily been hit. There was nothing in front of me so emergency brakes should not have deployed.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.