2020 Subaru CROSSTREK
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2020 Subaru CROSSTREK has 82 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is visibility problems (41% of all complaints), specifically: i was driving at 70 mph on smooth interstate highway with light traffic . there was a loud explosion. after stopping in a safe location, i discovered the moon roof had shattered into tiny pieces. i am positive there were no rocks or structures above..there was 1500 miles on the car. the sliding cei.
82
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
VISIBILITY
34 complaints- • I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON SMOOTH INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC . THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION. AFTER STOPPING IN A SAFE LOCATION, I DISCOVERED THE MOON ROOF HAD SHATTERED INTO TINY PIECES. I AM POSITIVE THERE WERE NO ROCKS OR STRUCTURES ABOVE..THERE WAS 1500 MILES ON THE CAR. THE SLIDING CEI
- • MINOR ROCK CHIP, NO LARGER THAN A WATCH SCREW, NEAR THE WINDOW MOUNT QUICKLY DEVELOPED INTO A 4-INCH CRACK OVER A PERIOD OF APPROXIMATELY 12 HOURS. ROCK CHIP OCCURRED ON CITY STREETS, MOVING NO FASTER THAN 40 MPH.
- • THERE IS A CHIP ON THE WINDSHIELD ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK. I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHEN OR HOW THIS HAPPENED AND HAVE ONLY BEEN DRIVING ON PAVED ROADS.
“I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON SMOOTH INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC . THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION. AFTER STOPPING IN A SAFE LOCATION, I DISCOVERED THE MOON ROOF HAD SHATTERED INTO TINY PIECES. I AM POSITIVE THERE WERE NO ROCKS OR STRUCTURES ABOVE..THERE WAS 1500 MILES ON THE CAR. THE SLIDING CEI”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
10 complaints- • WE HAD A REMOTE START INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO ACCEPTING DELIVERY OF THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNABLE TO START. THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP (SPORT SUBARU SOUTH IN ORLANDO FL) SENT A TECHNICIAN TO REPAIR THE CAR, RATHER THAN TOWING IT TO A DEALERSH
- • MY CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER STOPPING TO VISIT A FRIEND. THE FRIEND WATCHED UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I PRESSED THE START BUTTON. HE SAW SPARKS FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD DRIVEN OVER 27 MILES THAT DAY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS BECAUSE I MADE TOO MANY SHORT TRIPS. THEY OFFERED TO INSTAL
- • If car sits unused for 2 or 3 days, the battery will have slowly drained down to the point where the car won't start. It seems that the car's internal electronics drains the battery down, even if the car isn't being operated. Even if the car is being operated, the battery is only charged up to abo
“WE HAD A REMOTE START INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO ACCEPTING DELIVERY OF THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNABLE TO START. THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP (SPORT SUBARU SOUTH IN ORLANDO FL) SENT A TECHNICIAN TO REPAIR THE CAR, RATHER THAN TOWING IT TO A DEALERSH”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
9 complaints- • WE HAD A REMOTE START INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO ACCEPTING DELIVERY OF THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNABLE TO START. THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP (SPORT SUBARU SOUTH IN ORLANDO FL) SENT A TECHNICIAN TO REPAIR THE CAR, RATHER THAN TOWING IT TO A DEALERSH
- • WHILE SITTING AT RED LIGHT, I HEARD A POP. AFTER EXAMINING CAR, REALIZED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED NEAR THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. *TR
- • 2020 Crosstrek windshield cracked. The windshield easily chips. crack started in lower windshield. car was parked in carport when crack started. Subaru does not fix windshield and told us to call glass company. car taken to glass replacement center for replacement of windshield. Subaru dealer told u
“WE HAD A REMOTE START INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO ACCEPTING DELIVERY OF THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNABLE TO START. THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP (SPORT SUBARU SOUTH IN ORLANDO FL) SENT A TECHNICIAN TO REPAIR THE CAR, RATHER THAN TOWING IT TO A DEALERSH”
— NHTSA complaint filing
TRANSMISSION
9 complaints- • The vehicle has experience numerous times now, and has been to the dealer for repairs regarding an unanticipated loss of all ability to accelerate or maintain speed until the vehicle is shutdown and restarted. This has caused significant stress when traveling on a fast moving freeway in the fast lan
- • The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while shifting the vehicle into reverse, the vehicle launched forward without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 12,000.
- • Transmission began making a whining noise at low speeds accelerating/ and backing up. Slight hesitation when accelerating. Transmission failed at 6k miles- confirmed by dealer and replaced. Now again at 34k miles same issue- transmission confirmed to be issue again by dealer. Subaru is in the proces
“The vehicle has experience numerous times now, and has been to the dealer for repairs regarding an unanticipated loss of all ability to accelerate or maintain speed until the vehicle is shutdown and restarted. This has caused significant stress when traveling on a fast moving freeway in the fast lan”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
5 complaints- • WE HAD A REMOTE START INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO ACCEPTING DELIVERY OF THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNABLE TO START. THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP (SPORT SUBARU SOUTH IN ORLANDO FL) SENT A TECHNICIAN TO REPAIR THE CAR, RATHER THAN TOWING IT TO A DEALERSH
- • The auto engine shut off was disengaged by the dealer while doing some repair. When we picked up the car, noticed engine trouble icons signifying this. We called the dealer and advised of this situation. We had asked if it could be disconnected and was told no, it is forbidden and a safety issue.
- • The contact's significant other owns a 2020 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while his significant other was driving from a complete stop, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The de
“WE HAD A REMOTE START INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO ACCEPTING DELIVERY OF THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNABLE TO START. THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP (SPORT SUBARU SOUTH IN ORLANDO FL) SENT A TECHNICIAN TO REPAIR THE CAR, RATHER THAN TOWING IT TO A DEALERSH”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 82 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐VISIBILITY: I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON SMOOTH INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC . THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION. AFTER STOPPING IN A SAFE LOCATION, I DISCOVERED THE MOON ROOF HAD SHATTERED INTO TINY PIECES. I AM POSITIVE THERE WERE NO ROCKS OR STRUCTURES ABOVE..THERE WAS 1500 MILES ON THE CAR. THE SLIDING CEI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: WE HAD A REMOTE START INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO ACCEPTING DELIVERY OF THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNABLE TO START. THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP (SPORT SUBARU SOUTH IN ORLANDO FL) SENT A TECHNICIAN TO REPAIR THE CAR, RATHER THAN TOWING IT TO A DEALERSH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: WE HAD A REMOTE START INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO ACCEPTING DELIVERY OF THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNABLE TO START. THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP (SPORT SUBARU SOUTH IN ORLANDO FL) SENT A TECHNICIAN TO REPAIR THE CAR, RATHER THAN TOWING IT TO A DEALERSH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: The vehicle has experience numerous times now, and has been to the dealer for repairs regarding an unanticipated loss of all ability to accelerate or maintain speed until the vehicle is shutdown and restarted. This has caused significant stress when traveling on a fast moving freeway in the fast lan
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Subaru CROSSTREK — Year Comparison
How does 2020 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 82
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 5
- Injury reports
- 2
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2020 Subaru CROSSTREK