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ProblemsByVinFile / 2013-SUBARU-XV-CROSSTREKNHTSA data synced 22 hours ago
Subaru
2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek problems
The 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek has 96 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek has 96 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 20 complaints, typically surfacing around 74,291 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Subaru XV CrossTrek owner complaints by model year
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
1
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 XV CrossTrek?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 20 owner reports
· tends to show around 74,291 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
engine — 19 owner reports
· tends to show around 74,669 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 11 owner reports
· tends to show around 123,151 mi · ~$850 to fix
steering — 9 owner reports
· tends to show around 60,462 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 74,669 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2013 XV CrossTrek· electrical
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 & drive with my hazard lights on in order to get the car…
I had the brake lamp switch recall performed in may of 2019 and now all of a sudden my brake lights are turning on all of a sudden by themselves at night time. The car is parked, not running and locked. I think I have received a defective switch. When I notice this I must go…
Driving on the freeway my car lost power i pulled off to the side and tried to restart it. As I have the ignition turned over for 30 to 40 seconds the starter sounded erratic and the oil temperature light was flashing. I sat there for about ten minutes and tried again and it…
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 dealer.My knee is still hurting from the accident and my…
Had a problem with your 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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 customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.
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) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory
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 vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
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.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 20 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 74,291 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 96 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 74,291 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 20 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 74,291 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 74,291 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru XV CrossTrek has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 96 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 22 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Subaru/XV CrossTrek.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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