2013 Subaru Crosstrek Problems & Recalls
Comprehensive defect analysis based on official US Federal safety databases.
2013 Subaru Crosstrek Top Failure Categories
Distribution of driver complaints across vehicle components according to federal taxonomy.
Official Safety Recalls for 2013 Subaru Crosstrek (1)
Defect Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Safety Hazard: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Free Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Verified NHTSA Owner Complaints
Excerpts of actual incident reports submitted to the federal Office of Defects Investigation (ODI).
"The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission seized, causing the vehicle to come to a sudden stop. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a..."
"The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that after refueling with the fuel tank at 3/4 tank full, the fuel gauge failed to provide the correct fuel level. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the fuel sending tank, but the failure continued to occur. The contact indicated that the failure had caused fuel leaka..."
"CAR PARKED AND SOME ELECTRICAL WIRE? CAUSED CAR TO CATCH FIRE? THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE OF THE HATCHBACK/TRUNK AREA WAS BURNT/ MELTED THROUGH TO THE METAL AND THE WIRES AROUND THE BACK WINDOW ON INSIDE WERE HANGING DOWN AND HOT PLASTIC DRIPPED DOWN ONTO A BOX OF PAPERS THAT WERE IN THE HATCHBACK. THE PAPERS HAD BLACK BURNT SPOT ON THEM BUT FORTUNATEL..."
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU CROSSTREK. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BRAKE OR STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REP..."
"MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND SUBARU DIRECTLY AND THEY BOTH STATED THAT DUE THE THE VOLUME OF CARS AFFECTED THEY WERE NOT TAKING ANY NEW APPOINTMENTS UNTIL 2020 AND TO CALL THEM BACK IN 2020. THE ISSUE IS WITH THE VALVE SPRINGS IN THE ENGINE. A FRACTURE IN THE SPRING COULD CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE. I WANT SUBAR..."