This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to be followed when addressing customer concerns of steering wheel/vehicle body vibration when driving at highway speeds when tire/wheel balance is suspected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek steering problems
severe 9 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 9 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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.
SUBARU: AN ISSUE OF INCREASE STEERING EFFORT, ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) C2532 AND TO ADDRESS CODE A NEW EPS CONTROL UNIT THAT IS AVAILABLE. MODEL 2014 FORESTER, 2012-14 IMPREZA, XV CROSSTREK (INCLUDING HYBRID).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NEW ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) CONTROL UNIT FOR DTC C2532
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗New Electric Power Steering (EPS) Control Unit for DTC C2532
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The horn does not function when the steering wheel is aligned straight with the wheels and the vehicle is stationary or moving however when you turn the steering wheel to the left the horn will function. "Subaru has already issued a recall in australia for problems related to manufacturing defect in the steering column that could lead to a short circuit, which would disable control of the wipers,…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2013 Subaru XV CrossTrek?
It's a meaningful issue. 9 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 60,462 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.