2019 Subaru Crosstrek: Problems & Reliability
AVOID2019 Subaru Crosstrek: AVOID — 286 owner complaints, 2.9× the Crosstrek median year by raw count; top issue: visibility / wipers (113 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2019 is 3.84, where 1.00 is a typical Crosstrek year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 2.24. Most complaints are about non-critical systems; only 27% are severe (crash, fire, injury or a safety-critical system).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2015–2026 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
286
NHTSA complaints
2.9×
vs. median Crosstrek year
513
Service bulletins
7
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2019 Subaru Crosstrek problems
Visibility / wipers is the clear leader, named in 40% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2019 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility / wipers | 113 | 40% |
| Electrical system | 53 | 19% |
| Unknown or other | 50 | 17% |
| Engine | 34 | 12% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 24 | 8% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2019 Subaru Crosstrek recalls
7 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2019, reported between Feb 6, 2019 and Apr 15, 2021.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 21V263000 | Apr 15, 2021 | Suspension › Rear |
| 21V264000 | Apr 15, 2021 | Electrical system › Software |
| 20V189000 | Mar 31, 2020 | Seat belts › Rear/other |
| 19V856000 | Dec 2, 2019 | Engine & cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv) |
| 19V743000 | Oct 18, 2019 | Electrical system › Software |
| 19V404000 | May 30, 2019 | Visibility › Glass, side/rear |
| 19V065000 | Feb 6, 2019 | Steering › Electric power assist system |
2019 Subaru Crosstrek service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 513 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2019 — more than the 297 of the median Crosstrek year from 2015 to 2026. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (286), engine & cooling (53), powertrain / transmission (45). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2019 vs. the year before and after
From the 2018 to the 2019, owner complaints rose 47% (195 → 286) — a step backward. The 2020 that followed fell by more than half (286 → 71), so the 2020 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Crosstrek | AVOID | 195 | 499 | 5 | — |
| 2019 (this page) | AVOID | 286 | 513 | 7 | — |
| 2020 Crosstrek | SOLID | 71 | 381 | 0 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Subaru Crosstrek years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2019 Subaru Crosstrek
Visibility / wipers (113 complaints on the 2019): test the wipers at every speed, the washers, defrosters and the climate system.
Electrical system (53 complaints on the 2019): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Engine (34 complaints on the 2019): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Powertrain / transmission (24 complaints on the 2019): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Steering (15 complaints on the 2019): check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering at parking speed, and clunks over bumps.
Recalls: confirm all 7 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2019 Subaru Crosstrek — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
- Verified buyer-paid target price for your exact make, model & trim
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Found a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek for sale? See what the seller isn't telling you.
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FAQ
Is the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
2019 Subaru Crosstrek: AVOID — 286 owner complaints, 2.9× the Crosstrek median year by raw count; top issue: visibility / wipers (113 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2019 is 3.84, where 1.00 is a typical Crosstrek year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 2.24.
What are the most common 2019 Subaru Crosstrek problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek are visibility / wipers (113, 40%), electrical system (53, 19%), unknown or other (50, 17%). The manufacturer has 513 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek have?
7 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek, most recently 21V263000 (Apr 15, 2021, suspension); 21V264000 (Apr 15, 2021, electrical system); 20V189000 (Mar 31, 2020, seat belts). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2019 Subaru Crosstrek before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.