2018 Subaru Crosstrek Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 16%of 195 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 16% of the 195 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1) vehicle was delivered new with rear power windows not working. 2) LED brake light stopped working at 15000 miles , noticed when I was backing up in front of glass doors. I was told by dealer wire was shorting out and entire light assembly needed to be replaced. Dealer did not stock part so I was sent off with non working brake light under warranty until they could get part.”
NHTSA complaint #11241027, filed 2019-08, 15,000 miles“We can drive hundreds of miles, make a few stops and during one of those stops, the battery is dead. This has occurred three separate times over the last 4 weeks. We've had the vehicle at john kennedy Subaru in norristown where they attempted to diagnose the problem. What they did was perform an update on radio and the battery, starter and alternator all checked out ok. The car died again today and we're scheduled to bring it in again on monday.”
NHTSA complaint #11363729, filed 2020-10, 35,800 miles“In nov 2017, at 700 miles, I had a remote start installed at the dealership. In may 2018, my remote start would not start the car & when it would the car would stall. Even without the remote start my car wouldn't start or it would start and shut off. I couldn't get it to function for 3 days. In addition, I was having issues with my radio. The radio would freeze up or it would not turn off, there were times the radio would keep running for close to 15 minutes even though the car was shut off. …”
NHTSA complaint #11325498, filed 2020-05, 17,132 miles“After being purchased on april 4th, 2018, with 125 miles on the vehicle, I ran the vehicle roughly 2000 miles, at which time my vehicle began having major issues. The first occasion, I was driving in bumper to bumper stop and go traffic on i25 in downtown denver, I stopped the vehicle with traffic, and at that time the car had a computer malfunction as I was told by the dealer, essentially killing my car, leaving me stuck in the center lane of a 5 lane highway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11098385, filed 2018-05, 4,000 miles“Subaru's safety system eyesight that uses across multiple models including my 2018 Crosstrek has a serious problem that prevented the human driver to be alerted. The eyesight safety warning audio alert does not interrupt the audio from the radio unit, in addition the audio warning sound level is very low despite the max setting on the system. My cell phone's ringer volume is much louder than the Subaru's eyesight volume. During the normal music listening I can't even hear the safety warnings (rear cross traffic, forward warning, and lane alert etc). …”
NHTSA complaint #11072919, filed 2018-02, 450 milesRelated recalls
- 21V264000Apr 15, 2021Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue…Covers: Subaru Crosstrek 2018–2019, Impreza 2017–2019
- 19V743000Oct 18, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to…Covers: Subaru Crosstrek 2018–2019, Impreza 2017–2019
Related service bulletins
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- 11037942Sep 28, 2026This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
- 11037938Sep 18, 2026"This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the…
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the…
- 11036804Aug 21, 2026This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
- 11036807Aug 20, 2026This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is…
- 11036796Aug 13, 2026This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the…
- 11036794Aug 5, 2026Techtips newsletter locator index.
- 11036789Aug 1, 2026This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 18% |
| 2025 | 7 | 15% |
| 2024 | 8 | 7% |
| 2023 | 6 | 17% |
| 2022 | 4 | 13% |
| 2021 | 16 | 14% |
| 2020 | 11 | 15% |
| 2019 | 53 | 19% |
| 2018 | 32 | 16% |
| 2017 | 17 | 18% |
| 2016 | 37 | 28% |
| 2015 | 1 | 6% |
| 2014 | 2 | 13% |
| 2013 | 5 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
72 complaintsOther or unknown
42 complaintsEngine
32 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsForward collision avoidance
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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