2018 Subaru Crosstrek: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek at 25–29 mpg combined across 2 versions. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 195 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
5
EPA combined mpg
25–29
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Subaru dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 5 safety recalls for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, newest first.
Suspension: Rear
NHTSA 21V263000Reported Apr 15, 2021
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WRD-21)
Units affected
408,271 (estimate)
Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
Risk
Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-21.
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WRE-21)
Components
Electrical system: Software; Engine and engine cooling: Engine: Engine control module (ecu/ecm): Software; Electrical system: Ignition; Engine and engine cooling: Exhaust system: Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Units affected
466,205 (estimate)
Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Risk
A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
Risk
If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.
Engine and engine cooling: Exhaust system: Emission control: Crankcase (pcv)
NHTSA 19V744000Reported Oct 17, 2019
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WUP-01)
Units affected
205,000 (estimate)
Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Risk
An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WTR-77)
Components
Service brakes; Vehicle speed control: Accelerator pedal
Units affected
2,367 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Remedy
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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2018 Subaru Crosstrek fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2018 Subaru Crosstrek SW AWD
5 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
15.6%
Optional
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2018 Subaru Crosstrek owner complaints
Owners have filed 195 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, most recently on Oct 2, 2026. 10 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2018 Subaru Crosstrek complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Visibility/wiper
64
Unknown or other
41
Engine
32
Electrical system
31
Power train
14
Vehicle speed control
13
Structure: Body
9
Visibility: Windshield
7
Steering
6
Exterior lighting
5
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
