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2013 Subaru Crosstrek
The 2013 Subaru Crosstrek has 1 NHTSA safety recall on file, 25 owner complaints. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
1 openExterior Lighting
28/02/2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.
Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 13, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA
25 filed- 9
ENGINE
MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND SUBARU DIRECTLY AND THEY BOTH STATED THAT DUE THE THE VOLUME OF CARS AFFECTED THEY WERE NOT TAKING ANY NEW APPOINTMENTS UNTIL 2020 AND TO CALL THEM BACK IN 2020. THE ISS
- 5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that after refueling with the fuel tank at 3/4 tank full, the fuel gauge failed to provide the correct fuel level. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the fuel
- 3
POWER TRAIN
SOLENOID VALVE IN CVT CRACKED AFTER 6.5 YEARS OF USE (ROUGHLY 140K - 160K MILES). GOT IT FIXED, THEN 1 YEAR LATER (ANOTHER 40K - 20K MILES), IT WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS TIME THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BOTH TIMES I WAS ACCELER
- 2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONAB
- 1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WOULD LIKE ANSWER TO WHY THE CVT WAS GIVEN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IF THERE IS A FUTURE RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION DUE TO STALLING? I NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE 10 YEAR OR 100,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. MY CAR I
- 1
AIR BAGS
THE SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT TURNS IN THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT SENSOR FOR WELL UNDER THE DESIGNED THRESHOLD. AS AN EXAMPLE IT TRIGGERED FOR TWO 20 OUNCE BOTTLES OF SODA. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET.
Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 13, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.
CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP
NHTSA has not published a 5-star crash-test rating for this year and model.
Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 13, 2026.
FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA
EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this year and model.
EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 13, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.
All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recall was fixed
This model has 1 open NHTSA recall (including the exterior lighting). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the engine
Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
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Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek? +
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek, including the exterior lighting. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What do owners complain about on the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek? +
Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA for the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek, including 1 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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