Subaru XV Crosstrek: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
Subaru XV Crosstrek: 4 model years scored from 304 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns. Worst year 2015, best year 2013.
Subaru XV Crosstrek: which years to avoid
Across 4 scored model years the Subaru XV Crosstrek ranges from 84/100 in 2015 to 94/100 in 2016 — a 10-point spread, so which year you buy matters. The weakest year’s complaints concentrate in Unknown Or Other (24 of them).
Safest years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 — scored 70 or better.
Scored from NHTSA complaints per year of exposure and recall campaigns. How the score works · every car’s years to avoid.
Year-by-year data table
Best year in our data: 2013 (score 85). Worst: 2015 (score 84, BUY).
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 94 | BUY | $3,895 | 3 | 0 |
| 2015 | 84 | BUY | $4,198 | 98 | 1 |
| 2014 | 85 | BUY | $4,439 | 107 | 0 |
| 2013 | 85 | BUY | $4,550 | 96 | 2 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
Photographs and every generation of the XV Crosstrek, through the years →
XV Crosstrek sub-models & family
What goes wrong on the Subaru XV Crosstrek
Across every XV Crosstrek model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.
- Engine67 complaints across all XV Crosstrek years · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair$1,040–$2,220
- Power Train66 complaints across all XV Crosstrek years · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair$1,290–$4,040
- Unknown Or Other64 complaints across all XV Crosstrek years · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair$360–$940
- Electrical System56 complaints across all XV Crosstrek years · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement$540–$1,310
- Service Brakes29 complaints across all XV Crosstrek years · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles$580–$1,140
- Steering10 complaints across all XV Crosstrek years · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement$1,020–$2,500
Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.
FAQ
What are the best Subaru XV Crosstrek years to buy?
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 all score 70 or better. The strongest is the 2016 at 94/100, on 3 complaints and 0 recall campaigns.
Which Subaru XV Crosstrek years should I avoid?
The 2015 is the weakest year we score, at 84/100 (BUY), on 98 complaints and 1 recalls. Check the year-by-year table above before committing to any particular car.
What is the most common Subaru XV Crosstrek problem?
67 of the complaints filed against the XV Crosstrek across all its model years sit in the Engine group — more than any other component.
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Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04