2018 Subaru Crosstrek Recalls, Complaints & Specs
5 safety recalls list the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, and owners have filed 195 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
5 safety recalls for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Suspension: rear
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.…
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Software (electrical system) and 3 other components
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021.…
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Software (electrical system) and ignition (electrical system)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain…
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Crankcase (pcv) (engine and engine cooling)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of…
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Service brakes and accelerator pedal (vehicle speed control)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Crosstrek vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect floor mat retention bracket, allowing the floor mat to move out of position and interfere with the accelerator or brake pedal operation.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mat retention bracket and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
195 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek have filed 195 complaints with NHTSA; 10 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 23,314 miles. Complaints peaked in 2020 with 44 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Wheel studs, continually Shearer off because of mismatched threads between bolt and nuts common problem among a lot of of Subaru”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 2, 2026 · Wheels
“On 06/26/26, while traveling at highway speeds, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of motive power in active traffic due to a blown out/melted Cylinder 4 ignition coil. This unexpected e”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 7, 2026 · Electrical system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek (Crosstrek AWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 25–29 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 23–27 / 29–33 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S7); Manual 6-spd |
Compare Subaru Crosstrek model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Subaru Crosstrek model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 2 |
| 2013 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 26 |
| 2014 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 16 |
| 2015 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 17 |
| 2016 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 132 |
| 2017 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 94 |
| 2018 Subaru Crosstrek | 5 | 195 |
| 2019 Subaru Crosstrek | 7 | 284 |
| 2020 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 69 |
| 2021 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 115 |
| 2022 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 31 |
| 2023 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 34 |
| 2024 Subaru Crosstrek | 2 | 119 |
| 2025 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 44 |
| 2026 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 8 |
Checking a specific 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
How do I know if my 2018 Subaru Crosstrek has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Subaru dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 17V701000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Subaru models
- Outback9,756 complaints
- Forester6,498 complaints
- Legacy3,185 complaints
- Impreza2,651 complaints
- Ascent1,033 complaints
- WRX975 complaints
- Svx291 complaints
- Xv Crosstrek264 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.