2020 Subaru Crosstrek problems
The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek has 68 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek has 68 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is visibility at 33 complaints, typically surfacing around 7,349 miles (~$350 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Crosstrek | 97 | 1 |
| 2018 Crosstrek | 194 | 1 |
| 2019 Crosstrek | 281 | 2 |
| 2020 Crosstrek (this page) | 68 | 0 |
| 2021 Crosstrek | 111 | 0 |
| 2022 Crosstrek | 29 | 0 |
| 2023 Crosstrek | 32 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
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 2020 Subaru 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
- visibility — 33 owner reports · tends to show around 7,349 mi · ~$350 to fix
- powertrain — 9 owner reports · tends to show around 12,000 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 8 owner reports · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 12,000 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — 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.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2020 Subaru Crosstrek
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.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 3 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
There is a stress crack on passenger side front on windshield from rearview mirror inside the vehicle going upward in an arch and ends at the top of the windshield. It was in our garage and there is nothing that could have fallen onto the car from the roof of the garage.…
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while she was sitting in the parked vehicle on the side of the road, another vehicle driving at approximately 60-65 MPH rear-ended her vehicle. The contact's vehicle was pushed into the highway's first lane. The…
The windshield has cracked twice and had to be replaced. The first time was December 2021 and the second time was November 2022. Each time, we did not even see impact with a pebble. We just assume that was what caused the crack. My wife and I have been driving for fifty…
My car was parked outside when one morning I noticed a 2-inch crack started from the edge of the windshield on the passenger side of my vehicle which grew to 19 inches in the following days. The crack feels smooth from the outside and to my knowledge didn't happen due to any…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 68 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Subaru 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 2020 Subaru Crosstrek?
On the NHTSA data, the 2020 Subaru 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 8.0/10 — above the segment average. 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 2020 Subaru Crosstrek?
Inspect the visibility first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 33 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 7,349 miles. Average repair cost runs about $350 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 2020 Subaru Crosstrek a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 68 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is visibility. Typical failure occurs around 7,349 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 2020 Subaru Crosstrek?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is visibility, with 33 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 7,349 miles. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The visibility is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 7,349 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru 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 2020 Subaru Crosstrek?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 68 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $350, 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.