2023 Subaru Crosstrek problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 32 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek has 32 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 5 complaints (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Crosstrek | 68 | 0 |
| 2021 Crosstrek | 111 | 1 |
| 2022 Crosstrek | 29 | 0 |
| 2023 Crosstrek (this page) | 32 | 0 |
| 2024 Crosstrek | 108 | 2 |
| 2025 Crosstrek | 43 | 0 |
| 2026 Crosstrek | 7 | 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 8.4/10 — 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 2023 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
- electrical — 5 owner reports · ~$850 to fix
- visibility — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 29,000 mi · ~$350 to fix
- engine — 3 owner reports · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model . 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: 8.4/10 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.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2023 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
On the morning of 12/26/24 - I stepped inside my 2023 Subaru Crosstrek and turned on the engine. The vehicle was parked in a commuter parking lot near my home to begin with. When I turned on the vehicle - I noticed a loud roaring sound when the engine turned on which i thought…
I've never taken my 23 crosstrek off the pavement I'm driving down hyw and my rear struts break my crosstrek has 38 thousand miles on it and it's only 3 and 1/2 years old I've owned many cars were if drove hundreds of thousands mile and none of them broke there struts going down…
Got my 2023 Crosstrek sport 2 days ago with 6 miles on the odometer. When I first drove it on the freeway today, a rock chip larger than a quarter appeared on my front windshield. I was on an overpass entering the main freeway so I was only going at 55 mph, did not even hear a…
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while her grandson was driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side windshield cracked unexpectedly. The windshield had developed a crack without impact. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 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 2023 Subaru Crosstrek?
On the NHTSA data, the 2023 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 8.4/10 — 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 2023 Subaru Crosstrek?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 5 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 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 2023 Subaru Crosstrek a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 32 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. 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 2023 Subaru Crosstrek?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 5 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. 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 2023 Subaru Crosstrek?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 32 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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.