Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2020 Subaru CrosstrekRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 71 owner complaints for the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek. Most complaints involve visibility/wiper (30) and power train (11). The EPA rates it 25–30 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
25–30mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
71
Top: visibility/wiper
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

71 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2020 – Oct 2026
  1. Visibility/wiper30
  2. Power train11
  3. Electrical system11
  4. Engine5
  5. Visibility4
  6. Service brakes2
  7. Seat belts2
  8. Fuel/propulsion system2
  9. Forward collision avoidance2

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
6
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
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

30 reports
“6-8in windshield crack on passenger side, near the bottom just above defrost vents. No apparent trauma to the windshield in that area. No indication that there was a crack forming otherwise; appeared seemingly overnight. Have not yet reported to insurance, dealer, or mfg. I have seen that there was a class action settled recently regarding some Subaru windshields cracking without warning so this may be a known issue. Car is available for inspection upon request.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 10, 2025Visibility/wiperODI 11635355

Power train

11 reports1 crash
“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. I’ve 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026Power trainODI 11774051

Electrical system

11 reports1 crash
“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 vehicle’s auto start-stop system. When I released the brake to proceed with traffic, the vehicle attempted to restart, but displayed a “Disabled” 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 vehicle could have remained stopped in an active traffic lane, potentially increasing the risk of being struck by another vehicle or creating a traffic hazard. There were no warning lamps or other symptoms before the incident. The first indication of a problem was the “Disabled” message immediately after the vehicle attempted to restart following the automatic engine shutoff. I subsequently took the vehicle to a Subaru dealer for inspection. The dealer found a starter cancel code…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2026Electrical systemODI 11763854
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-S8) · 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-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
273330$2,150298
Crosstrek AWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
222925$2,550355
  • Crosstrek AWD
    Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 33 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Crosstrek AWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 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 14811
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

2020 Crosstrek questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 3, 2026.

What are the most common 2020 Subaru Crosstrek problems?

Owners filed 71 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility/wiper (30), power train (11), electrical system (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek at 25–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026