Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 18 | 19% |
| Power train | 12 | 13% |
| Unknown or other | 10 | 10% |
| Wheels | 5 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 4% |
| Air bags | 4 | 4% |
| Steering | 4 | 4% |
| Power train | 3 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I have been working with Subaru of America and Capital Subaru service in San Jose, CA for a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek XV 2.0 CVT automatic engine shortly after we bought it used for multiple faulty known engine problems with
NHTSA complaint: Power train
When the car is put in park the key will not come out of the ignition. Sometimes to be removed from ignition. Therefore the key will get stuck. The transmission has to be put back in drive and then back into park for th
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Within 10 days of purchasing this vehicle a certified Subaru dealership documented the following safety defects. Both front CV axles failing and clicking on turns creating loss of vehicle control risk. EPS electronic pow
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I was t-boned on 11/7 on the driver side door of the car. My car is totaled and the airbags, knee and curtain did not deploy and I was hit almost dead on on the B pillar. Unknown if the problem has been reproduced by the
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The engine stalled unexpectedly during operation. I noticed a sudden loss of power, and the vehicle shut off without warning. This has happened more than once, posing a safety concern.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
THE ENGIN MALFUNCTIONED. MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS WAS AT RISK BECAUSE WHEN AN ENGIN FAILS WHILE DRIVING IT CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS CRASH. THE VALVE SPRING WHICH IS LOCATED INSIDE THE ENGIN OF THE VEHICLE DID FRACT
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The dashboard light says that the airbag is OFF, while it is occupied by a large teenager (over 100lbs) in the Right Front passenger seat. Teenager was buckled into moving vehicle when this concern was observed. Fron
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The fan in my car, that controls the heat/air-conditioning, went out causing my windows to fog up since it was raining & I couldn't use the dehumidifier. I couldn't see & had to manually wipe my windshield several times
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru cu
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES
Risk: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehic
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
| Reliability raw | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 74 | good |
| Performance | 55 | average |
| Efficiency | 50 | average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 18 of them (19%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2013 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.