Engine recall and CVT faults
The 2013 Crosstrek has about 230 complaints per 100,000 sold, the highest of the first generation. An engine recall with long waits for parts and CVT valve body failures lead.
Updated November 2026 · based on 124 owner complaints and 3 recalls
Not rated
231 1.8x the Crosstrek average
3 free to fix at a dealer
Every Crosstrek year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Top problems and what they cost
Engine recall
Recall repair with parts delays.
Fix: Free under recall
Engine
CVT valve body
Shudder or loss of drive at high mileage.
Fix: Valve body $1,000 to $2,000; CVT $4,000 to $6,000
Power train
Recalls
Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek
- Check by VIN for open engine recalls.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2013 Crosstrek has 3 recalls on record, listed below.
- Feel for CVT shudder from a stop.A CVT is a gearless automatic transmission that uses a belt. Worn ones shudder, whine or slip, and replacing one often costs $3,000 to $5,000, so service records matter.26 of the 124 owner complaints about the 2013 Crosstrek involve the transmission and drivetrain (21%).
Questions
Is the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
Engine recall and CVT faults. The 2013 Crosstrek has about 230 complaints per 100,000 sold, the highest of the first generation. An engine recall with long waits for parts and CVT valve body failures lead.
How many recalls does the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek have?
3 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2013 Subaru Crosstrek problems?
Engine recall; CVT valve body.
Crash rating shown for the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek SW AWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.