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Electrical systemPart report

2013 Subaru Crosstrek Electrical system Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
19%of 26 total for the year
Median mileage
32,600miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek, 19% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,600 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Eco-wiring made of materials that attract animals. A rodent chewed through my wiring harness. $800 worth of damage that could be prevented. Car is inoperable.”

NHTSA complaint #10939108, filed 2017-01, 32,600 miles

“Car parked and some electrical wire? Caused car to catch fire? The back drivers side of the hatchback/trunk area was burnt/ melted through to the metal and the wires around the back window on inside were hanging down and hot plastic dripped down onto a box of papers that were in the hatchback. The papers had black burnt spot on them but fortunately did not all burn. There was a dark black brown spot on the back window drivers side on the inside and there was soot all over the inside of the entire vehicle and insides of the windows. It got so hot that the trunk could not be opened. …”

NHTSA complaint #11235188, filed 2019-07, 210,000 miles

“2013 Subaru Crosstrek(70k miles) passenger door caught on fire. Within 3 minutes of smelling smoke inside door panel was engulfed in flames. Went to the shoulder of the freeway, turned engine off, put out the flames, waited for the smoke to clear and the plastic to cool off. Upon restarting vehicle sparks and smoke visible so turned vehicle off. Cut the red(+) wires, restarted vehicle(no smoke), drove to dealership for repairs. Obviously a short in the electrical system, none of the fuses popped. Had a passenger been in the passenger seat I'm sure they would have been hurt. …”

NHTSA complaint #11111350, filed 2018-07, 70,000 miles

“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 sending tank, but the failure continued to occur. The contact indicated that the failure had caused fuel leakage and spillage while adding fuel to the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11436584, filed 2021-10, 1,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026218%
2025715%
202487%
2023617%
2022413%
20211614%
20201115%
20195319%
20183216%
20171718%
20163728%
201516%
2014213%
2013519%

Other parts of the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek

Engine
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology