Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2019 Subaru CrosstrekRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 286 owner complaints for the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. Most complaints involve visibility/wiper (113) and electrical system (53). The EPA rates it 25–29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
25–29mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Apr 2021
Owner complaints
286
Top: visibility/wiper
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Apr 15, 2021NHTSA 21V263000

Electrical system: software

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Apr 15, 2021NHTSA 21V264000

Seat belts: rear

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.

Seat beltsReported Mar 31, 2020NHTSA 20V189000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

286 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Visibility/wiper113
  2. Electrical system53
  3. Engine34
  4. Power train24
  5. Steering15
  6. Fuel/propulsion system14
  7. Visibility11
  8. Vehicle speed control8
  9. Structure7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Crosstrek model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201797
2018195
2019286
202071
2021115
202231
202336
2024120
202547
202611
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Visibility/wiper

113 reports
“The windshield cracked without impact or any other obvious means of damage. I have had 2 other windshields crack in the same manner, the first being December 2022, second March 2024, and now April 2025. All incidents have starts from the bottom on the windshield on the passenger side, and spreading towards the roof. The vehicle was not moving at the time of the crack, it was noticed getting in the vehicle of all incidents”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 21, 2025Visibility/wiperODI 11655941

Electrical system

53 reports1 fire
“Recently, Aug 13 we took the 2019 Crosstrek to the to the Subaru center for oil change and a general inspection. Two big problems revealed. 1. Recommend replacing both rear wheel bearings due to noise while driving $2,249. 2. Recommend replacing all 4 TPMS sensors due to low voltage codes present and no data $813.50. The car mileage is 46,191. At this mileage there two problems should not show up. Clearly, we have got a lemon . The Subaru representative claims the above two problems are caused by reckless driving, which is absolutely false.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2026Electrical system, WheelsODI 11757124

Engine

34 reports2 crashes1 fire
“In the middle of driving car stuttered, engine light went on, and car stalled. Unable to restart, Engine cranks but would not turn over. Had car towed for repair. Diagnostic shows engine coil short causing blown fuse. Subaru has an active recall for this identical issue for my same year and model 2019 Crosstrek but the recall does not cover my VIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 11, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11737121
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S7) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Crosstrek AWD
Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
273329$2,200301
Crosstrek AWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
232925$2,550353
  • Crosstrek AWD
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 33 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Crosstrek AWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    23 city · 29 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Subaru Crosstrek SW AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.6%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 13402
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2019 Crosstrek questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2019 Subaru Crosstrek problems?

Owners filed 286 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility/wiper (113), electrical system (53), engine (34). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek at 25–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026