Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 115 complaints with NHTSA about the 2024 Subaru 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 26 | 23% |
| Exterior lighting | 11 | 10% |
| Visibility | 10 | 9% |
| Visibility/wiper | 10 | 9% |
| Steering | 8 | 7% |
| Tires | 7 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 3% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 4 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 3% |
| Air bags | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
While driving on the [XXX] my car lost power while in drive. I coasted onto the should. I could not get the car out of gear or put the car in park. I chocked the rear tire. I opened the hood. The positive cable had
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Falken 225/55R18 tires had to be replaced for $243.80 per tire due to poor tread design that has caused hydroplaining. 09.03.2026
NHTSA complaint: Tires
AT 26,453 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINS LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T RUN. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE VALVES HAD EXCESSIVE CARBON BUILD-UP ON THEM. THE ISSUE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. I CONTACTED SUBARU
NHTSA complaint: Engine
AT 45,261 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD BARELY START AND RUN. IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND WAS AGAIN DIAGNOSED WITH CARBON BUILD-UP ON THE INTAKE VALVES. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE IN JU
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Drivers side mirror shakes when in motion mainly on uneven roads, slurry sealed roads and freeway. 4 service visits with parts replaced at each visit - vibration still an issue. 5th appointment with engineer more parts e
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
After about an hour of driving, the vehicle’s steering wheel required slightly more force to turn when changing direction of travel., almost like it was getting stuck. Once unstuck, the steering wheel would get easier to
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Windshield suddenly and spontaneously cracked, violently and with an explosive sound, due to higher-than-average outside air temperature (100°F, Arizona in July). Vehicle was being driven on a freeway during cross--count
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
Adaptive cruise control did not disengage when brake pedal was pressed. The cars ahead of me on the highway were coming to a stop, so I tried to veer to the right since the brakes didn't work. The lane assist kept fighti
NHTSA complaint: Forward collision avoidance
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2024 Subaru 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 2024 Crosstrek and Impreza vehicles. Due to insufficient clearance, the instrument panel harness may contact the steering beam bracket, damaging the wire insulation and causing a short circuit.
Risk: A short circuit may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the harness and install an additional clamp on the steering beam bracket. If damage is found, dealers will add protective tape or replace the instrument panel harness, as necessa
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
Risk: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer servi
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 84 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 84 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 70 | good |
| Performance | 55 | average |
| Efficiency | 50 | average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 115 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and unknown or other is the most reported area with 26 of them (23%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) 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 84/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2024 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 78/100. 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.