2018 Subaru Crosstrek Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

32Engine complaints

16.5%Of all 194 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

VISIBILITY/WIPER64 · 33%

Unspecified / other41 · 21.1%

ENGINE32 · 16.5%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM31 · 16%

POWER TRAIN14 · 7.2%

Share of the 194 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek overview page.

What owners report

“WHEN CROSSING ACROSS TRAFFIC TO GET IN THE LANE FROM RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS. THERE IS SLOW AND SLUGGISH AS IT WANTS TO STALL OR…”NHTSA complaint 11399166 — filed 03/04/2021

“THE CAR ENGINE HAS STALLED 4 TIMES SINCE JULY WHEN WIFE WAS ACCELERATING ONTO A MAIN STREET OR THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, TURNING FROM A STOP…”NHTSA complaint 11292354 — filed 12/31/2019

“THREE RECALLS FOR DECEMBER 2019 ON A 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK. SUBARU SERVICE PROGRAM NUMBERS ARE; WUR-03, SUBARU SAFETY RECALL WUQ-02 NHTSA RECALL ID 19V-743, AND…”NHTSA complaint 11290080 — filed 12/19/2019

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek have engine problems?

Engine is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek: 32 of 194 complaints on file (16.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek have in total?

194 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 10 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, 1 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.