Short answer
Among Subaru Crosstrek model years through 2024, 2023 has the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2019 has the most (8). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Subaru Crosstrek: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 14 (2013–2026)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 19
- Fewest recalls
- 2023 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2019 (8)
- Most recalled system
- Electrical system (9)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2014, 2015, 2016 and 9 more years
Subaru Crosstrek Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Recent: still collecting recalls | 2 | Not rated | Equipment, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2025 Recent: still collecting recalls | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2024 | 2 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Power train |
| 2023 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2022 | 1 | 5 stars | Electrical system |
| 2021 | 2 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Power train |
| 2020 | 1 | 5 stars | Electrical system |
| 2019 | 8 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling, Seat belts |
| 2018 | 5 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling, Service brakes |
| 2017 | 1 | 5 stars | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 | 1 | 5 stars | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 | 2 | 5 stars | Exterior lighting, Forward collision avoidance |
| 2014 | 1 | 5 stars | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 | 3 | Not rated | Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Exterior lighting |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20262 recalls
- 20250 recalls
- 20242 recalls
- 20230 recalls
- 20221 recall
- 20212 recalls
- 20201 recall
- 20198 recalls
- 20185 recalls
- 20171 recall
- 20161 recall
- 20152 recalls
- 20141 recall
- 20133 recalls
Subaru Crosstrek: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Subaru Crosstrek recalls are electrical system (9), exterior lighting (5), engine and engine cooling (3), equipment (2) and power train (2). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 12 of these 14 model years, and 2014, 2015, 2016 and 9 more years earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Subaru Crosstrek Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Subaru Crosstrek?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2023 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Subaru Crosstrek model years have the most recalls?
2019 has the most, with 8 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Crosstrek", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy