2019 Subaru Crosstrek problems: what to check before you buy
The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns to check, the newest filed in 2021, plus 284 owner complaints, the most of the eight Crosstrek model years in our 2015–2022 collection, with the windshield wipers (113) and the electrical system (53) named most often. Before you buy one, run its VIN through NHTSA's free recall lookup; the $14.99 original ClearVIN PDF shows title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file.
Buying this 2019 Crosstrek? Enter its VIN.
The decode is free. The original ClearVIN PDF is $14.99 one time, with no account: title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file for that VIN. Check open recalls with NHTSA’s free VIN lookup.
Title brands · Odometer records · Auction history, where reported
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See what the paid report includes →NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek, alongside 284 owner complaints filed with the agency, most often about the windshield wipers. Eligible recall remedies are generally free through the manufacturer's approved repair process, even after the warranty ends; some software remedies are delivered remotely. Federal no-charge coverage has an age limit for vehicles first sold more than 15 years before the recall notice; manufacturers may cover older vehicles voluntarily. Check the specific VIN — a previous owner may already have had the work done.
Half of the 179 NHTSA owner complaints on the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek that list mileage came after 10,000 miles (NHTSA complaints file of November 11, 2026). How many miles will a Subaru Crosstrek last? →
One VIN. One $14.99 history report.
For $14.99, VIN Lookup delivers an original ClearVIN vehicle-history PDF for the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek VIN you enter: title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file. ClearVIN is on the U.S. Department of Justice’s list of approved NMVTIS data providers; VIN Lookup sells that original report. The records returned vary by VIN.
The VIN decode is free. No card is needed until you choose to buy; applicable tax is shown at checkout. A missing record is not proof that an event never happened.No account · Refund reviewed if not delivered, unopenable or wrong VIN by our error · Sold by VIN Lookup (SH LLC, Sheridan, WY)Original provider PDF
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What to check before buying a used 2019 Crosstrek
Model-year data describes the production run, not the car in front of you: two cars of this model year can differ entirely, one with every recall repaired and the other with none. The counts below are from NHTSA data collected on 2026-09-15.
- Verify the 7 recall campaigns by VINCopy the 17-character VIN from the windshield or driver-door label, not from the listing, and run it through NHTSA's free recall lookup. It shows unrepaired recalls within its coverage and does not show completed repairs, so ask the seller for dated repair paperwork. The campaigns cover the suspension, the electrical system, the seat belts, the exhaust system and more. The newest, 21V264000, was filed in 2021.
- Test-drive for what Crosstrek owners report most113 of the 284 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the windshield wipers: on the drive, run the wipers at every speed and test the washers and defroster. Another 53 name the electrical system: try every light, window, lock, screen and power outlet, and watch for warning lights or a slow start. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not proven defects, but they show where to look.
- Check the title and odometer in the history reportRecall and complaint data describe the 2019 production run, not this car's past. The VIN decode here is free; the $14.99 original ClearVIN PDF lists title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file for that VIN. Records vary by vehicle, and a missing record does not prove nothing happened.
- Book an independent pre-purchase inspectionHave a mechanic you choose inspect this Crosstrek before you buy, and ask them to look hardest at the windshield wipers, the electrical system and the engine.
Is the 2019 Crosstrek a good car to buy used?
NHTSA's records cannot rate one used 2019 Subaru Crosstrek; they can show how this model year compares with the other Crosstrek years in this site's 2015–2022 NHTSA collection. The 2019 has 284 owner complaints on file, the most of the eight Crosstrek model years in this site's 2015–2022 NHTSA collection (2015–2022). The median of the Crosstrek years with enough complaints to compare is 116. The 2019 is the year that stands out: about 2.6× the 107.5 median of the other six years with enough complaints to compare. Its 7 recall campaigns are the most of any Crosstrek year in the 2015–2022 collection. These counts track how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they rank years within the Crosstrek, not build quality; whether one 2019 Crosstrek is a good buy depends on its own history and condition.
Which 2015–2022 Crosstrek years have the most complaints?
Among the eight Crosstrek model years in this site's 2015–2022 NHTSA collection, the 2019 has the most owner complaints, 284. Older and better-selling years have had more time and more owners to file reports.
2019 Subaru Crosstrek recalls and reported problems at a glance
What owners report most
These are the vehicle systems named most often in complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. A complaint is an unverified owner report: it does not establish a defect, and a high count can simply reflect a popular model. Use it to decide where an inspection should look hardest.
| Vehicle system | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 113 |
| Electrical System | 53 |
| Unknown Or Other | 49 |
| Engine | 34 |
| Power Train | 24 |
| Steering | 15 |
Recall campaigns for the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek
Each campaign below is an official NHTSA record. An eligible remedy is generally free through the manufacturer’s approved process, which may be an authorized service visit or remote software update. Federal no-charge coverage has a 15-year first-sale limit measured at the recall notice; manufacturers may cover older vehicles voluntarily. A campaign covers a production range. Check the VIN for open recalls within NHTSA’s coverage; confirm applicability and completed repairs with the manufacturer or an authorized dealer.
| Campaign | Component | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| 21V263000 | SUSPENSION:REAR | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach. |
| 21V264000 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit. |
| 20V189000 | SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended. |
| 19V856000 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV) | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving. |
| 19V743000 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse. |
| 19V404000 | VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The driver's side rear-door window glass may be improperly tempered. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials." |
| 19V065000 | STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance. |
What this data cannot tell you
- A complete recall or repair history for one vehicle. NHTSA’s VIN lookup covers unrepaired recalls within its scope; confirm missing campaigns and completed work with the manufacturer or an authorized dealer.
- Whether a complaint is accurate. NHTSA publishes owner reports without verifying them.
- How reliable the model is overall: complaint volume tracks how many vehicles were sold as much as how they hold up.
- Anything about title brands, accident history, odometer records, or liens on an individual vehicle.
Primary sources behind this page
Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.
- Recalls Lookup by VINNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Vehicle recall remedy age limitNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall and complaint datasets: scope and API documentationNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Vehicle Product Information Catalog (vPIC)National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 21V263000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 21V264000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 20V189000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 19V856000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 19V743000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 19V404000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 19V065000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Approved NMVTIS Data Providers — checked October 26, 2026U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance
The 2026-09-15 data collection queried these NHTSA model names for 2019 Subaru: CROSSTREK. Records appearing under more than one name are counted once. The documentation explains the collection endpoints; a campaign link opens its official record across all affected vehicles, not the recall status of a specific VIN.
2019 Subaru Crosstrek questions
What should I check before buying a used 2019 Subaru Crosstrek?
Check the 7 NHTSA recall campaigns against the car's VIN with NHTSA's free lookup and ask for dated repair paperwork. Owners name the windshield wipers and the electrical system most often in 284 complaints; those are unverified reports, not proven defects, but they show what to test on the drive. Recall data says nothing about this car's past: the $14.99 original ClearVIN PDF lists title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file for the VIN. Finish with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
How many recalls does the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek have?
NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls covering the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek as of 2026-09-15. Whether a specific vehicle is affected — and whether the repair was already done — depends on its VIN.
What are the most common 2019 Subaru Crosstrek problems?
Owners most often report problems with the windshield wipers, the electrical system and the engine to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports and do not establish a defect, but they show where to focus an inspection.
Are Subaru recall repairs free?
Generally, yes for eligible vehicles, even after the warranty ends. Federal law limits the required no-charge remedy when a vehicle was first sold more than 15 years before the recall notice; a manufacturer may still cover an older vehicle voluntarily. Check the VIN with the manufacturer for the approved remedy, which may be a dealer visit or a remote software update.
Can I check recalls on a specific 2019 Subaru Crosstrek VIN?
Yes. NHTSA's free VIN lookup reports unrepaired recalls within its coverage. It excludes completed repairs and can omit some recent recalls, older campaigns and vehicles outside its coverage. A zero result is not a complete recall or repair history. Ask the seller or manufacturer for dated repair documentation.