2018 Subaru Crosstrek: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
194 NHTSA owner complaints · 5 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Read the guide
Used Subaru Outback and Forester: oil consumption, then Starlink, then a clean run, including 2018 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 194 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 24.25
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek rapidly accelerated unexpectedly while pulling into a parking space with the foot on the brake. Hit a concrete pole and sustained vehicle damage and injuries.
Dangerous stall in traffic due to ignition coil failure. Ignition coils and spark plugs were replaced during the WRE21 recall campaign only 13k miles ago back in 2021. Stopped at red light awaiting to turn left when the vehicle started shaking violently. No check engine light came on though. When the light turned green, the vehicle was barely able to move forward then it completely stalled before pulling over to …
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlight warning light illuminated, and the contact noticed that the passenger's side LED headlight had become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a headlight assembly replacement was recommended. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure…
Recalls: 5 campaigns (3 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 17V701000 | Service Brakes | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Crosstrek vehicles. |
| 21V263000 | Suspension:Rear | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. |
| 21V264000 | Electrical System:Software | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. |
| 19V744000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv) | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. |
| 19V743000 | Electrical System:Software | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 29 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,100
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Visibility/Wiper64 complaints · typical job: Wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$490–$1,200
- Unknown Or Other41 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Electrical System32 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Engine32 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Power Train14 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Vehicle Speed Control13 complaints · typical job: Throttle body, pedal sensor or cruise module replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$520–$1,150
Other Subaru Crosstrek years
Subaru Crosstrek years to avoid, and the best years to buy →
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Visibility/Wiper (64 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 73/100, computed from 194 NHTSA complaints and 5 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek's most common problem?
64 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek sit in the Visibility/Wiper group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement: about 2.5 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $490–$1,200 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek cost to run per year?
About $4,350 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $21,752 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 3 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 07/11/2017. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compact suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 194 complaints, 5 recalls on record
- 194 NHTSA complaints on record (24.2/yr of exposure) — in line with a typical year of this model (23.5/yr)
- 5 recall campaigns, 3 touching safety-critical systems