2026 Subaru Crosstrek Problems
Compared with other Subaru Crosstrek years
Too new to compare
- Model years are compared once their first three years of complaints are in; the 2026 can be compared from 2029.
- Most reported part: Other or unknown (3 complaints).
- 1 recall with a do-not-drive warning, 1 in total. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2023
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 11 do-not-drive
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 29 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl AWD · 26 city / 33 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and forward collision avoidance (2). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign (1 marked do-not-drive) and 60 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 20 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 29 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Other or unknown3 27%
- Electrical system2 18%
- Lane departure2 18%
- Brakes1 9.1%
- Engine1 9.1%
- Exterior lighting1 9.1%
- Seat belts1 9.1%
- Steering1 9.1%
Also reported: Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Other or unknown: “I rented this car and what I noticed is that the highly polished LCD display reflects sunlight into the driver's eyes. This was noticed while driving North at approximately 7:30AM until 10:00AM. The reflection is actually blinding. The screen should have a matte finish to minimize this blinding reflection.”
NHTSA complaint #11773823, filed 2026-10Electrical system: “The 2026 Subaru crosstrek was sitting in the garage since 07/17/2026. I went out on 07/19/2026 to go to church. I tried to start it and it clicked rapidly like the battery didn't have enough juice to actually start it.”
NHTSA complaint #11751365, filed 2026-07Forward collision avoidance: “Multiple times the vehicle has allowed lane crossing with no warning neither actual assist or beep into oncoming traffic. A vehicle abruptly stopped approximately 75 feet ahead of me the vehicle did not respond and I did have to slam my brakes. I was able to stop with only 3 feet between me and the stopped vehicle. Automatic collision avoidance neither attempted to stop nor gave any warning. Blind spot monitor allows lane change with turn signal on and a vehicle in blind spot again with no warning. I was on the freeway and the center lane when this happened, I was merging into right lane. …”
NHTSA complaint #11773394, filed 2026-10Complaints by year filed
This model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crosstrek · wagon AWD | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | 5 | 4 · 16.4% risk |
| Crosstrek Wilderness · wagon AWD | not rated | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | — |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2026 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2026 Subaru Crosstrek version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crosstrek AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | CVT | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Crosstrek Wilderness AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | CVT | 24 | 29 | 26 | $2,600 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball jointCovers: Subaru Crosstrek 2026, Forester 2026
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek and Forester vehicles. The castle nut on the left-front lower control arm ball joint may be improperly fastened, which can lead to the ball joint separating from the lower control arm.
Recall details for the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 60 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026Electrical system, Other or unknown. This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037942Sep 28, 2026Transmission and drivetrain, Electrical system. This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
- 11037940Sep 18, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
- 11037938Sep 18, 2026Electrical system. "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- 11037930Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026Electrical system, Other or unknown. This 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 original bulletin.
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026Electrical system. This 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 original bulletin.
- 11037920Sep 1, 2026Electrical system. "This bulletin announces a design change to the cord assembly that connects the Center Infotainment Display (CID) to the CCU, addressing reports of CID screen flickering."
- 11036820Aug 31, 2026Electrical system, Seats. This bulletin announces design changes to the front seat bottom heat unit.
- 11036804Aug 21, 2026Transmission and drivetrain, Electrical system. This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
Other model years of the Subaru Crosstrek
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | — | 1 | — | 29 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 46 | 8,000 | 0 | 5 | 29 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 120 | 10,100 | 2 | 5 | 29 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 35 | 16,500 | 0 | 5 | 29 | 34 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 31 | 34,000 | 0 | 5 | 29 | 15 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 115 | 2,460 | 1 | 5 | 29 | 93 · More | Stable |
| 2020 | 71 | 5,200 | 0 | 5 | 30 | 64 · Typical | Falling |
| 2019 | 285 | 10,542 | 7 | 5 | 29 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2018 | 195 | 18,000 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2017 | 94 | 27,800 | 1 | 5 | 29 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 132 | 37,620 | 1 | 5 | — | 49 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 17 | 50,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2014 | 16 | 60,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2013 | 26 | 68,050 | 1 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
All Subaru Crosstrek model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek is reported most often?
Other or unknown is named most often, in 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, 1 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek get?
The EPA rates the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek (Crosstrek AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 26 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.