TireKick

Published generation acquisition guide

Crosstrek years to avoid—and the years we refuse to over-rank

This answer is generated only from the published Second generation guide. It names applicable issues, configuration caveats, remedies, exposure eligibility, and the claim receipts behind every year conclusion.

Year-by-year answer

2018
Buy with conditions

Proceed only after the named candidate-verification and record checks pass.

clm_subaru-crosstrek-2018-recall-recall-17v701000-obs-7741

Applicable issues

  • Service Brakes safety campaign (high; verified remedy) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 2 reviewed 2018 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2018; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2018 authority →
2019
Buy with conditions

Proceed only after the named candidate-verification and record checks pass.

clm_subaru-crosstrek-2019-recall-recall-19v065000-obs-7773

Applicable issues

  • Steering:Electric Power Assist System safety campaign (high; verified remedy) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 3 reviewed 2019 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2019; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2019 authority →
2021
Insufficient evidence

Insufficient evidence for a responsible candidate verdict.

clm_subaru-crosstrek-2021-recall-recall-23v755000-obs-7836

Applicable issues

  • Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch safety campaign (high; verified remedy) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 4 reviewed 2021 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2021; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2021 authority →
2022
Insufficient evidence

Insufficient evidence for a responsible candidate verdict.

clm_subaru-crosstrek-2022-tsb-nhtsa-mc-10233119-0214013-2022-obs-22752

Applicable issues

  • 0214013: Oil Filler Cap Gasket Coming Unseated safety campaign (moderate; mitigation only) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 3 reviewed 2022 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2022; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2022 authority →
2020
Buy

Evidence supports proceeding with a normal independent inspection.

clm_subaru-crosstrek-2020-tsb-nhtsa-mc-10165548-15-251-19-2020-obs-20102

Applicable issues

  • 15-251-19: This Service Information Bulletin Provides Additional Diagnostics To Follow When Addressing A Telematics-Related Dtc B2a16. In Most Cases I safety campaign (moderate; mitigation only) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 3 reviewed 2020 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2020; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2020 authority →

What you trade between adjacent years

Dossier receipts

clm_subaru-crosstrek-2018-recall-recall-17v701000-obs-77412018 Subaru CrosstrekEvidence: Medium confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Crosstrek vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect floor mat retention bracket, allowing the floor mat to move out of position and interfere with the accelerator or brake pedal operation. If the floor mat moves out of position and interferes with the accelerator or brake pedal operation, it can increase the risk of a crash. Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mat retention bracket and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTR-77.”
NHTSArecallJul 2017Open source record
clm_subaru-crosstrek-2019-recall-recall-19v065000-obs-77732019 Subaru CrosstrekEvidence: Medium confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance. Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash. None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet. Subaru has notified dealers and they will inspect the steering gearbox, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUC-88.”
NHTSArecallJun 2019Open source record
clm_subaru-crosstrek-2020-tsb-nhtsa-mc-10165548-15-251-19-2020-obs-201022020 Subaru CrosstrekEvidence: Medium confidence

The official record identifies a condition that deserves candidate-specific inspection and record verification.

“This Service Information Bulletin provides additional diagnostics to follow when addressing a Telematics-related DTC B2A16. In most cases involving this DTC, the following scenario(s) occur: • When trying to use the remote engine starter (RES) feature through Telematics (STARLINK / My Subaru app) the request is unsuccessful and the red Telematics indicator lamp illuminates. • The customer takes their vehicle to the Retailer and the Technician finds the only code stored to be B2A16 in the DCM. • The Technician diagnoses the DTC per the applicable Service Manual trouble tree and replaced the DCM.”
NHTSAtsbSep 2019Open source record
clm_subaru-crosstrek-2021-recall-recall-23v755000-obs-78362021 Subaru CrosstrekEvidence: Limited confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail. An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.”
NHTSArecallSep 2023Open source record
clm_subaru-crosstrek-2022-tsb-nhtsa-mc-10233119-0214013-2022-obs-227522022 Subaru CrosstrekEvidence: Limited confidence

The official record identifies a condition that deserves candidate-specific inspection and record verification.

“Oil Filler Cap Gasket Coming Unseated”
NHTSAtsbApr 2013Open source record

Publication contract

Evidence: Limited confidence

Release rel_v4_cohort_20260726 · methodology m1-v4-authority-cohort. Raw complaint totals never choose an avoid year.