Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2024 Subaru CrosstrekRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 120 owner complaints for the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (13) and forward collision avoidance (12). The EPA rates it 29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
29mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Nov 2023
Owner complaints
120
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Power train: driveshaft

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.

Power trainReported Nov 9, 2023NHTSA 23V754000

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek and Impreza vehicles. Due to insufficient clearance, the instrument panel harness may contact the steering beam bracket, damaging the wire insulation and causing a short circuit.

Electrical systemReported Aug 4, 2023NHTSA 23V551000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 2, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

120 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2023 – Oct 2026
  1. Exterior lighting13
  2. Forward collision avoidance12
  3. Visibility/wiper12
  4. Service brakes10
  5. Visibility10
  6. Steering10
  7. Electrical system8
  8. Engine7
  9. Tires7

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
10
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 2, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

13 reports
“Headlights are pointed low. It is hard to see down the road. The top half of windshield is darker than the bottom half. Car may be safe for city driving, but not for country roads. Going up and down hills and around curves the suv is unsafe. Dealer said they recieving complaints but can not adjust the lights. Sorry I bought such an unsafe suv.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2025Exterior lightingODI 11646581

Forward collision avoidance

12 reports4 crashes
“I was backing out of my driveway at 630 am this morning, September 21, 2026 when I heard what sounded like a loud crash. However, if anything had been in my car’s line of vision a beep would go off to alert me and that didn’t happen. I pulled back into my driveway to check if anything had somehow been behind me and then discovered I had no brakes! My driveway goes down a steep incline and I kept trying to apply my brakes to no avail and I crashed into some trees at the bottom of the driveway. I was not hurt and ran back up the driveway to make sure my car had not hit anyone or anything and there was nothing at all at the top of the driveway. I went back down and saw all the damage on my car: Front bumper and hood were smashed in as well as the driver’s side front and the passenger’s side front areas. I called the local police, my dealership where I leased this car, Patrick Motors in Shrewsbury, Ma, Subaru of American and my insurance agency, Liberty Mutual. At this time, I have nothing available to upload. I wanted to alert you to this situation because after I researched what happened to me and my 2024 Subaru Crosstek Wilderness Model this morning, I…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2026Unknown or other, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11765860

Visibility/wiper

12 reports
“Windshield suddenly and spontaneously cracked, violently and with an explosive sound, due to higher-than-average outside air temperature (100°F, Arizona in July). Vehicle was being driven on a freeway during cross--country trip. Crack occurred in driver's line-of-sight and presented a dangerous driving condition. In service for 2 years and 10K miles and never driven off-road or incurred a windshield chip from flying objects. Subaru refused to repair under warranty. Discovered Subaru had a recent history of similar windshield problems including some covered by Technical Service Bulletin(s).”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2026Visibility/wiperODI 11756779
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 2, 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 · 2.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S8)
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 2, 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
273429$2,200300
Crosstrek AWD
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
263329$2,200305
  • Crosstrek AWD
    Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 34 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Crosstrek AWD
    Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    26 city · 33 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 2, 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
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 2, 2026Vehicle 19384
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

2024 Crosstrek questions

How many recalls does the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 2, 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 2024 Subaru Crosstrek problems?

Owners filed 120 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (13), forward collision avoidance (12), visibility/wiper (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek get?

The EPA rates the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek at 29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 2, 2026