The most-reported Crosstrek run is JF2GPABC0G8 (2016 builds) with 10 complaints, 5.6× the typical run. Visibility/wiper problems make up 25% of reports; 2019 is the worst model year at 2.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for Crosstrek model years 2016–2024.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Subaru Crosstrek has 637 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 3% of every Crosstrek complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JF2GPABC0G8•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| JF2GTAEC6KH•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| JF2GTAEC7K8•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| JF2GPABC7G8•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| JF2GPABC5G8•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| JF2GPABC6G8•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| JF2GTAMC5J8•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| JF2GTAEC5KH•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| JF2GTAMC6JH•••••• | 2018 | 3 | — | |
| JF2GPABC3G8•••••• | 2016 | — | 2 | |
| JF2GPABC4G8•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| JF2GPABC9G8•••••• | 2016 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 625 Crosstrek runs has 6 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 354 Crosstrek VINs so far, most often 2024, 2021, 2026 builds; 11 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Subaru Crosstrek the gap between build years is 2.2×: a 2019 car draws 2.2 complaints per run, a 2015 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 44 | 31 | 3 | |
| 2024 | 119 | 64 | 10 | |
| 2023 | 33 | 25 | 3 | |
| 2022 | 31 | 26 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 114 | 70 | 7 | |
| 2020 | 69 | 51 | 6 | |
| 2019 | 281 | 128 | 7 | |
| 2018 | 188 | 92 | 9 | |
| 2017 | 91 | 57 | 5 | |
| 2016 | 125 | 63 | 3 | |
| 2015 | 13 | 13 | — | |
| 2014 | 14 | 12 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 2019 at 2.2 complaints per run; lightest is 2015 at 1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 25% of everything Subaru Crosstrek owners report: Visibility/wiper, 289 of 1,130 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | — | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 | 4 | |
| Electrical System | 7 | 3 | |
| Engine | 8 | 8 | |
| Power Train | 12 | 1 | |
| Steering | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 19 | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 10 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 13 recall campaigns on the Subaru Crosstrek; the 6 below cover build years 2016 to 2024. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 21V263000 | Suspension:rear | 2018–2019 |
| 21V264000 | Electrical System:software | 2018–2019 |
| 19V743000 | Electrical System:software | 2018–2019 |
| 19V149000 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch | 2016–2017 |
| 23V551000 | Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel | 2024 |
| 23V754000 | Power Train:driveline:driveshaft | 2024 |
21V263000 was opened in 2021 on cars built from 2018: 3 years on the road before the recall.
The Crosstrek against its rivals
The Crosstrek draws 1.8 complaints per production run; the Toyota RAV4 2.3, the Jeep Wrangler 4.7 and the Honda CR-V 3.7. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Crosstrek | 1,130 | 637 | 5.1% | |
| Toyota RAV4 | 8,453 | 3,661 | 8.5% | |
| Jeep Wrangler | 14,316 | 3,055 | 3.2% | |
| Honda CR-V | 14,848 | 4,017 | 5.1% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,130 reports on the Subaru Crosstrek, 5.1% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Subaru Crosstrek | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,130 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 58 (5.1%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 13 (1.2%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 29 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Subaru Crosstrek share of that is 1,130 complaints over 637 runs, 0.1% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Subaru Crosstrek VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,130 NHTSA complaints from 637 Crosstrek runs and 13 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Crosstrek production run has the most complaints?
JF2GPABC0G8, a 2016 build, with 10 complaints. The typical Crosstrek run has 1.8.
Which Crosstrek years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2019 is heaviest at 2.2 complaints per run and 2015 lightest at 1.
Does the Crosstrek get more complaints than the Toyota RAV4?
No: 1.8 complaints per production run for the Crosstrek against 2.3 for the Toyota RAV4.
How many Crosstrek complaints involve a crash?
5.1% of 1,130 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 13 involved a fire.
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