Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek problems

Owners filed 98 complaints about the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek with NHTSA between Jan 2014 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (35).

Complaints
98
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine35
  2. Power train22
  3. Electrical system14
  4. Steering9
  5. Wheels6
  6. Fuel/propulsion system5
  7. Service brakes5
  8. Vehicle speed control5
  9. Air bags4
  10. Visibility3
  11. Visibility/wiper3
  12. Exterior lighting3
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)3
  14. Chest clip, buckle, harness1

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20144
201511
20164
20171
20187
201917
202018
20218
20229
20233
20247
20254
20265

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

35 reports2 crashes2 fires
“I have been working with Subaru of America and Capital Subaru service in San Jose, CA for a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek XV 2.0 CVT automatic engine shortly after we bought it used for multiple faulty known engine problems with this specific make and model. Since we have owned the vehicle, we have not been able to drive it for more than 2 months short distance at a time due to engine, Valve body, major low oil pressure problems, and multiple sensor issues. This vehicle has been very dangerous for us to drive and has left us stranded not to mention paying the bank we financed payments to for a car we have been unable to use since purchasing. Subaru of America and Capital Subaru in San Jose have been awful, insensitive, and unhuman to our concerns and needs. We had to call them several times and were repeatedly ignore both parties for several days without any answers or any solutions. We have spent many sleepless nights worrying about not having a vehicle to get to work and my daughter who drove the car when she could in Nursing school with the burden of having no transportation and all the stress and worrying. There is a long history of defected engines because of the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11730251

Power train

22 reports
“On [XXX], while driving on public roads in West Allis, Wisconsin, the vehicle's dashboard warning lights began flashing and the transmission stopped shifting. The vehicle became stuck in a low/first-gear-type condition and would not drive normally. This was a sudden loss of normal motive power during operation. The driver was stranded roadside and ultimately walked approximately 3.5 miles home. The vehicle was towed to Werks Autosport in Muskego, Wisconsin. Their written diagnosis documents fault code P0730 (incorrect gear ratio). Scan-tool live data showed the actual gear ratio outside the specified range, and the applicable diagnostic flow chart calls for replacement of the transmission. The failure has not been repaired. Relevant history: approximately two days before this failure, the selling dealer completed transmission valve-body/solenoid work on this vehicle. We were told that this work included replacement of a failed aftermarket solenoid with an OEM Subaru valve body; however, the dealer has produced no repair records documenting the work performed. The transmission failure occurred after only 97 miles of driving following that repair. The vehicle…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2026Power trainODI 11768691

Electrical system

14 reports1 related recall
“When the car is put in park the key will not come out of the ignition. Sometimes to be removed from ignition. Therefore the key will get stuck. The transmission has to be put back in drive and then back into park for the ignition system to recycle and release the key.sometimes it takes about 2 or 3 times to get the key out. I have had to turn the car on put it in drive then park push the lock switch then turn the car off. I have been told that Subaru knows the problem exists. No recalls have been made.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2026Electrical systemODI 11730297

Steering

9 reports2 crashes
“involved in a collision, possibly related to the stall issues mentioned in the collision. Reported to the insurance. They are pending repair on the matter due to recall and entire engine was required, which is more than the car is valued for.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2022Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11473713

Wheels

6 reports
“I RECENTLY SWITCHED TIRES FROM WINTER TO SUMMER TIRES. I BROUGHT IN MY SUBARU INTO THE FREMONT SUBARU SERVICE CENTER FOR SERVICE. I WANTED TO CHECK ALL THE NUTS HOLDING THE TIRE ON WERE PROPERLY TORQUED. I TRUSTED THEM TO DO A GOOD JOB, A COUPLE DAYS LATER WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I WAS ROLLING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I HEARD A THUMPING NOISE. ONE OF THE NUTS WAS MISSING FROM THE TIRE AND ALL THE NUTS ON THE FRONT TIRE WERE EXTREMELY LOOSE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND I AM GLAD MY TIRE DID NOT FALL OFF AT HIGH SPEED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 23, 2020WheelsODI 11325667

Fuel/propulsion system

5 reports2 crashes1 fire
“Engine burst into flames during normal highway driving. Vehicle was well-maintained with all scheduled maintenance performed during the life of the vehicle. CEL was lit approximately 1 week before fire but driveability was normal.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2022Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11478749
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

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