2018 Subaru Crosstrek: wiper and visibility issues lead owner complaints
Across 193 owner complaints to NHTSA, visibility and wipers is by far the most-reported area at 64 reports (33%), followed by the electrical system and engine, tied at 31 reports each (16%). No fires, injuries, or deaths appear in this data. The only crashes are in vehicle speed control (5), power train (3), and engine (1).
Most reported areas
Visibility/Wiper033%
Most-reported area: 64 complaints (33%), with no crashes, fires, or injuries reported. Owners describe wipers that fail to clear the windshield at highway speed and vibrate, leaving water and hurting visibility.
Electrical System016%
31 complaints (16%), with no crashes, fires, or injuries reported. Owners describe electrical behavior such as the radio blaring on startup regardless of whether it was turned off.
Engine safety16%
31 complaints (16%), including 1 crash, with no fires or injuries reported. Owners describe engine "rev hang" (RPM staying high after pressing the clutch) when shifting through the lower gears.
Power Train safety7%
14 complaints (7%), including 3 crashes, with no fires or injuries reported. One owner reports major problems beginning early in ownership, including trouble in stop-and-go traffic.
Vehicle Speed Control safety7%
13 complaints (7%) and the most crashes in this data (5), with no fires or injuries reported. One owner describes the engine acting sluggish like limp-home mode with multiple dashboard warning lights on.
General information compiled from public NHTSA complaint data, for reference only — not professional advice and not reviewed by automotive experts. Verify before acting; Team AM is not responsible for decisions made from it.