NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 11 owner complaints for the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek. Most complaints involve electrical system (2) and lane departure (2). The EPA rates it 29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek and Forester vehicles. The castle nut on the left-front lower control arm ball joint may be improperly fastened, which can lead to the ball joint separating from the lower control arm.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“Multiple times the vehicle has allowed lane crossing with no warning neither actual assist or beep into oncoming traffic. A vehicle abruptly stopped approximately 75 feet ahead of me the vehicle did not respond and I did have to slam my brakes. I was able to stop with only 3 feet between me and the stopped vehicle. Automatic collision avoidance neither attempted to stop nor gave any warning. Blind spot monitor allows lane change with turn signal on and a vehicle in blind spot again with no warning. I was on the freeway and the center lane when this happened, I was merging into right lane. Starlink 11.6" media center freezes and lags. Dealership service department claims everything is working fine. Service department claims nothing wrong even this was witnessed by a dealership employee and the dealer manager took my car to the service department after the employee explained these problems were seen with her in the vehicle.”
“Right side blind spot detection does not work 98% of the time. Worse than the 2025 Crosstrek which only works 96% of the time.”
“On May 13, 2026 at approximately 2:50 PM, I experienced an unexpected activation of the EyeSight pre-collision braking system in my 2026 Subaru Crosstrek while pulling into the Chick-fil-A entrance area in [XXX] . The vehicle suddenly applied hard braking even though there was no imminent collision in front of me. The sudden braking created a hazardous situation and nearly caused me to swerve toward a pedestrian standing on the median area nearby. I was also fortunate there was no vehicle directly behind me, as the abrupt stop could have resulted in a rear-end collision. At the time of the incident, there were no warning lights or prior indications of a malfunction. The vehicle currently has approximately 900 miles on it. I have since contacted the Subaru dealership and scheduled a warranty inspection of the EyeSight/pre-collision braking system for further evaluation.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crosstrek AWD Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,200 | 307 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall 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.
Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (2), lane departure (2), forward collision avoidance (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek at 29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek 5 out of 5 stars overall.