2020 Subaru Crosstrek Safety Report
2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Low (0) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (64) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 6 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Visibility/Wiper | Compare visibility/wiper issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek with 28 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek before buying across this generation. |
Subaru Crosstrek Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Subaru Crosstrek years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Subaru Crosstrek | 100 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Subaru Crosstrek | 274 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Subaru Crosstrek | 28 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Subaru Crosstrek | 192 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Subaru Crosstrek | 29 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Subaru Crosstrek | 97 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Subaru Crosstrek Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Visibility/Wiper
29 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Subaru onlyPower Train
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Subaru onlyUnknown Or Other
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Subaru onlyVisibility
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility issues Subaru onlyElectrical System
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Subaru onlySeat Belts
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Seat Belts issues Subaru onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek
Reliability Score
The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train Failure A power train failure was reported, causing the starter to fail and the battery to die after a stop. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Differential Failure The rear differential has failed twice in PHEV Crosstrek models, once around 12,000 miles and again around 50,000 miles. |
High | Occasional | 12k-50k miles |
| Seat Belt Issues A bolt attaching the front left corner of the seat to the rails came loose, causing the seat to wobble and bounce. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Issues Electrical system problems, including service brake issues, have been reported. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek:
23% of reported issues are related to the power train.
20% of reported issues are related to the electrical system.
10% of reported issues are related to seat belts.
15% of reported issues are related to the differential.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 6 complaints involved crashes. 3 reported injuries or fatalities.
Beginning one year after buying this used 2020 Subaru Crosstrek base trim the starter failed and battery fully died after failing to start from a stop. The engine was OFF due to the auto-stop system and failed upon lifting my foot from the brake on a slight incline, causing a constant warning beep and a starter system failure message on the dash display. Immediately after failing to start the brak...
The rear differential on my PHEV Crosstrek failed around 31,500 miles. My spouse was driving under 30mph and turning, and heard a clunking/popping/metal-on-metal sound that persisted intermittently for the remainder of the drive home. Since then on 1/8/26, the sound has been aggravated and persistent, every 45 seconds or so while driving, mostly while turning, so we brought it in and were alerted ...
At Miami Airport, with ample space behind the vehicle in front, a pickup truck with a very long sloping ramp trailer to carry several cars pulled into the stated space. The lefthand side rear of the trailer being well below my line of vision hit my bumper on the passenger side. My insurance provided GPS confirmed I was driving at 16 mph at the time. We both stopped. We looked at no damage to the ...
The bolt attaching the front left corner of the seat to the rails came loose and allows the seat to wobble and bounce.
The rear differential on my Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid has failed twice. The first failure occurred around 12,000 miles and the second around 50,000 miles, both while maneuvering slowly in a parking lot. There were no warning lights or messages beforehand. The failure caused grinding and drivetrain resistance while turning. During the second incident, a certified Subaru dealer confirmed the rear dif...
The 2019-2021 Crosstrek Hybrid has an issue with the fuel tank design. Subaru has finally released a TSB (Reference: 09-82-23R) that explains the issue in more detail and how the defective parts need to be replaced. In short, the fuel tank has a design flaw such that regular fuel corrodes the fuel tank and causes clogging in the vapor vent tubes. Subaru says it's related to fuel with high ethanol ...
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while pulling into a parking spot and depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal a second time, the vehicle jerked, unintendedly accelerated, drove up the curb, and crashed into the metal plastic pole of Wawa. The pole was fractured. The ai...
What component of system failed: transmission At low speeds, my car makes a low moaning sound. I took it to the subaru dealership and after 2.5 hours, they said it's an issue with the transmission and needs a full replacement. Safety: According to a local subaru dealer's website, "While it might be tempting to keep driving despite a known transmission fault, especially if the car seems to be runni...
6-8in windshield crack on passenger side, near the bottom just above defrost vents. No apparent trauma to the windshield in that area. No indication that there was a crack forming otherwise; appeared seemingly overnight. Have not yet reported to insurance, dealer, or mfg. I have seen that there was a class action settled recently regarding some Subaru windshields cracking without warning so this ...
The contact's significant other owns a 2020 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while his significant other was driving from a complete stop, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer replaced the battery, the fuel cap, and cleared the warning lights; however, the failure persis...
The auto engine shut off was disengaged by the dealer while doing some repair. When we picked up the car, noticed engine trouble icons signifying this. We called the dealer and advised of this situation. We had asked if it could be disconnected and was told no, it is forbidden and a safety issue. So when I advised it was turned off, the dealer then refused to work on the car any further or to ...
This vehicle is a plug-in-hybrid. It should not be able to move while plugged in. Problem is attempting to move the vehicle when the charge cable is still attached and the vehicle is on an incline. Subaru does not display a warning message - instead it displays "check engine" and an ambiguous symbol (a red steering wheel). Subaru disables the power to wheels that would have enabled the driver to ...
Car was thought to be placed in park, key was easily removed, and then the car became mobile and rolled downhill and could not be shifted back into park.
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 front driver's side seat belt failed to restrain the contact in her seat, causing her forehead to hit the steering wheel a...
Driving the vehicle on the I-5 freeway, approximately 65mph, the sunroof glass suddenly shattered. It sounded like an explosion. The sunshade was closed , no glass shards entered the vehicle. There were no other vehicles close to mine, no tractor trailers in front of me.
Transmission began making a whining noise at low speeds accelerating/ and backing up. Slight hesitation when accelerating. Transmission failed at 6k miles- confirmed by dealer and replaced. Now again at 34k miles same issue- transmission confirmed to be issue again by dealer. Subaru is in the process of sending a technician to dealer to inspect. No warning or messages displayed. Unacceptable quali...
The windshield has formed a crack in the top middle around the area of the rear view mirror with no incident to cause it. The problem is easily identifiable and may cause safety issues if the crack spreads. At this time insurance representatives and the manufacturer have not inspected the windshield. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior. It just cracked out of nowhere.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while shifting the vehicle into reverse, the vehicle launched forward without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 12,000.
I noticed my windshield spontaneously cracked, without any trauma. This was noticed in the morning after my car had been sitting in the garage overnight. There were no rocks or other debris that hit the car, and there does not appear to be a point of impact. The crack seems to have occurred spontaneously, with no precipitating event or warning. This is dangerous because it could impair visibil...
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 years and this is the first time we have had to replace a windshield. Subaru needs to fix this problem.
Showing 20 of 64 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek
Has the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK been recalled?
No, the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK have?
The 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK has 64 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 6 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
The 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK involve visibility/wiper (29 complaints), power train (6 complaints), unknown or other (6 complaints). Other affected components include visibility, electrical system, seat belts.
How many crash reports does the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK have?
There are 6 crash reports associated with the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK out of 64 total complaints (9.4% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK have?
There are no fire reports for the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK is acceptable with caveats. It has 64 complaints, 0 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK are: 1. VISIBILITY/WIPER (29 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (6 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6 complaints), 4. VISIBILITY (4 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4 complaints). VISIBILITY/WIPER is the single most-reported problem area with 29 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
Be cautious of power train and electrical system issues, especially in PHEV models. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK has 64 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
The 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 64 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 6 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Power Train Failure and Differential Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
Known issues with the 2020 SUBARU CROSSTREK include: Power Train Failure, Differential Failure, Seat Belt Issues, Electrical System Issues. These are based on patterns found across 64 NHTSA complaints.
What component of the system failed?
The power train, specifically the starter and battery.
What is the issue with the fuel tank design?
The fuel tank design has an issue that Subaru has addressed with a TSB.
Why did the car roll downhill while in park?
The car was not properly engaged in park, allowing it to roll downhill.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of power train and electrical system issues, especially in PHEV models. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Subaru Crosstrek
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek. The data includes 64 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 6 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16