This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek electrical problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
When does it fail?
Of the 11 electrical complaints filed for the 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin contains information to help when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202 and / or 204 may occur preventing the process from completing successfully
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for 2026 model year vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20 with gen 4 Telematics.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Subaru service and technical support line newsletter provides information on the next phase of TechShare.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2013 XV CrossTreks describe serious electrical failures across multiple systems. The most dangerous involves the HVAC blower control harness overheating and melting at the control panel connections—one mechanic found wires melting at the heater blower power plug and warned of fire hazard. Multiple owners report this same failure recurs even after dealership replacement.
On the road, at least two owners experienced complete electrical system failures while highway driving above 70 mph, causing engine stall, loss of power steering, and dead gauges. One owner's vehicle went into this state twice, with P0021 and traction control codes showing up the second time; a battery reset temporarily resolved it.
Ignition issues plague several vehicles: keys get stuck in the switch after parking—sometimes for 10-20 minutes—and owners must cycle the transmission in and out of drive to release them. One owner paid $449 for a park position sensor replacement. Multiple owners confirm Subaru service staff acknowledge this as a known issue, yet no recall exists.
Brake lights randomly illuminate on parked, locked vehicles, draining batteries unnoticed. One vehicle documented at dealership showed CAN bus fault U0073 affecting multiple safety systems simultaneously. Starter motor noise and erratic oil temperature warning lights also appear in the complaint set.
Same Subaru XV CrossTrek electrical reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Heater/AC blower control overheating and melting
The wiring harness and connector to the heater/AC blower fan control melts and overheats, disabling the climate control fan. Owners report wires melting at the control panel connections, creating fire hazard. One owner found melted connector at the heater blower control power plug.
When: 106,454 miles reported in one case; no mileage specified in others
Symptoms owners cite: HVAC blower fan stops working; Wires melting and overheating at control panel; Windows fogging up when defroster cannot operate; No warning lights on dashboard before failure; Hazard lights needed to drive safely home
Repairs/costs cited: Control panel replacement required; mechanic disconnected wires to prevent fire. Multiple owners report recurrence after parts replacement. Parts sourced from Subaru dealership only.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner states manufacturer was made aware; no recalls issued. Other owners report Subaru is aware of the problem but no recalls exist.
Electrical system stall and loss of power while driving
Vehicle's electrical system malfunctions while traveling at highway speed, causing immediate stall with loss of all electrical loads (clock, radio, fuel economy display), no power steering, and no acceleration. Vehicle restarts after stopping. Occurs intermittently.
When: Two separate occasions reported while traveling over 70 mph on I-26
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of all electrical power while at highway speed; Engine stall with no acceleration capability; Loss of power steering assistance; Clock, radio, fuel economy display shut off; Check engine light and traction control light illuminate after second occurrence; Cruise control image blinking on dashboard
Codes mentioned: P0021
Repairs/costs cited: Battery disconnect and electronics reset performed at auto parts store resolved the immediate issue. Vehicle restarted and drove without recurrence afterward.
CAN bus communication fault
CAN bus communication fault code U0073 documented at dealership affecting multiple vehicle safety systems simultaneously. Part of broader safety defect package on one vehicle.
When: 113,494 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple safety system faults occurring at the same time
Codes mentioned: U0073
Repairs/costs cited: Part of $7,516.51 repair quote for multiple safety defects; vehicle was not repaired by owner
Ignition key stuck in switch
Key becomes stuck in the ignition and cannot be removed after shifting to park. Occurs repeatedly every time vehicle is parked. Appears related to park position sensor malfunction.
When: Around 120,000 miles in one case; other cases do not specify mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Key cannot be removed from ignition after shifting to park; Requires 5-20 minutes of waiting before key can be extracted; May require shifting back to drive and returning to park multiple times to release key; Must sometimes restart engine and cycle through drive/park/lock sequence to release ignition
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid $449 for sensor replacement (park position sensor suspected). Multiple owners report attempting various workarounds.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners state Subaru is aware of the problem; no recalls issued. Service reps reportedly acknowledge it is a common Subaru problem.
Brake lights activating with no input
Brake lights turn on randomly while vehicle is parked and locked with security armed. Lights activate without any brake pedal input.
When: At various times of day and night
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights illuminate while vehicle is parked and locked; Lights turn on without brake pedal input; Only manual brake pedal operation turns lights off; Battery drain occurs if lights remain on unnoticed; Potential safety hazard for vehicles behind if lights activate while driving
Horn intermittent failure
Horn stops functioning in certain steering wheel positions, likely related to a faulty clockspring assembly.
When: 106,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Horn does not work in some hand positions on the steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Owner suspects clockspring is at fault
Erratic starter motor and oil temperature warning light flashing
Starter motor produces erratic grinding or squealing noise during ignition attempts. Oil temperature warning light flashes during these episodes. Occurs intermittently with starting hesitation.
When: First major stall at 117,000 miles; ongoing issue afterward
Symptoms owners cite: Starter sounds erratic or squealing when turning ignition; Oil temperature light flashes during starting attempts; 30-40 second cranking time before engine starts; Hesitation and difficulty starting as regular ongoing issue
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 home. There were no warning lights on the dashboard. I took the car to a mechanic shop on another day, when they could not…
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 did the same thing but it started. This power loss has happened twice. The erratic noise coming from the ignition, and…
At various times of day or night, the brake lights turn on, while there is no one in the vehicle. The vehicle sits parked and is locked with the security on, and the lights just randomly turn on by themselves. The only way to turn the lights off is to go into the vehicle and step on the brake and then the lights are off after releasing the brake pedal. If the lights stay on, because it’s not…
On two occasions while traveling over 70 MPH on I-26 outside of columbia, sc the vehicle's electric system appeared to malfunction and vehicle died immediately. The clock, fuel economy readings, and radio shut off. The vehicle stalled and had to be maneuvered to the shoulder of the interstate with no acceleration capability or power steering. The vehicle was capable of being restarted. On the…
Had electrical trouble with your 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 123,151 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Subaru/XV CrossTrek.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.