2018 Subaru Crosstrek Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 7%of 195 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,050miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 7% of the 195 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,050 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“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“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 stay out in cross traffic to cause a collision!! It has happened since I purchased it from a non Subaru dealer beginning of 2021.there should be a recall as this sluggish acceleration problem can cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11399166, filed 2021-03, 56,000 miles“The CVT transmission in this car is jerky, will often act as if applying the brakes with stopping, will have trouble shifting during stop and go traffic, resulting in jerking of the car. Will occasionally vibrate as if traveling over rough pavement. The vehicle is in motion when this happens. Can be in urban or highway traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #11118186, filed 2018-08, 7,600 miles“Vehicle was climbing a residential street with a gradual incline in snow approximately 3 inches of fresh powder with no ice underneath. Vehicle had only 3,150 miles on the odometer and the tires were stock all season yokohama with a good mud/tread rating. The vehicle was climbing the hill very well until at the crest a check engine light and awd light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The tires failed to clean the snow properly and I slid back into a guardrail for approximately 500 feet and there was cosmetic damage to the vehicle as well as the right wheel was bent. …”
NHTSA complaint #11183635, filed 2019-03, 3,150 miles“I am writing to formally raise a significant safety concern regarding my 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. I recently discovered a malfunction in the transfer case (pictures attached), specifically involving the center differential gear set, which necessitated immediate replacement. This issue first became apparent while driving at low speeds when I heard a loud, distinctive clunking noise, indicating a possible malfunction within the transmission. As a precaution, I took the vehicle to my service mechanic for further diagnosis. …”
NHTSA complaint #11640184, filed 2025-02Related service bulletins
- 11037942Sep 28, 2026This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
- 11036804Aug 21, 2026This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
- 11036814Aug 20, 2026This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR580 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed.
- 11036810Aug 20, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised…
- 11036809Aug 20, 2026This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for TR690 and TR580 CVT-equipped vehicles. This is an revised version of the…
- 11036806Aug 20, 2026This Bulletin provides updated diagnostic procedures to follow and a brief questionnaire to complete when diagnosing an alleged Chain Slip condition on the TR580 and TR690 model…
- 11034242Jun 2, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the…
- 11033063May 13, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 14 | 12% |
| 2020 | 11 | 15% |
| 2019 | 24 | 8% |
| 2018 | 14 | 7% |
| 2017 | 13 | 14% |
| 2016 | 18 | 14% |
| 2015 | 6 | 35% |
| 2014 | 7 | 44% |
| 2013 | 4 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
72 complaintsOther or unknown
42 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsEngine
32 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 31, 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