2023 Subaru Crosstrek Safety Report
2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2023 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 (29) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 3 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2026 | Compare against the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek with 2 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2021 | Check the 2021 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Subaru Crosstrek | 100 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Subaru Crosstrek | 28 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2025 Subaru Crosstrek | 30 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Subaru Crosstrek | 100 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2026 Subaru Crosstrek | 2 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Subaru Crosstrek | 64 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2023 Subaru Crosstrek Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2023 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.
Unknown Or Other
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Subaru onlyVisibility/Wiper
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Subaru onlyEngine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Subaru onlyUnknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper issues Subaru onlyForward Collision Avoidance
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Subaru onlySuspension
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Suspension issues Subaru onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek
Reliability Score
The 2023 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 2023 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 2023 Subaru Crosstrek
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valve Cover Gasket And Spark Plug Seal Failure Passenger side valve cover gasket and spark plug seal failures have been reported, typically occurring between 30,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Rear Strut Breaks Rear strut breaks have been reported, with one instance occurring at 38,000 miles. |
High | Common | 38k miles |
| Windshield Cracks Windshield cracks have been reported, with one instance noted to have reappeared after initial replacement. |
Medium | Common | over a year miles |
| Brake Pedal Issues Reports of the brake pedal going down to the floor have been noted, with one instance requiring a power brake booster check. |
Medium | Common | varies miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek:
Issues with windshield cracks and chipping have been reported.
Valve cover gasket and spark plug seal failures have been reported.
Rear strut breaks have been reported.
Brake pedal issues have been reported, including going down to the floor.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
Passenger side valve cover gasket and spark plug seal failure.
I was driving today January 30th 2026 on the road going 35 mph into the sunlight and all of the sudden my vehicle acted like I slammed on my brakes and I jerked forward almost hitting my chin in the steering wheel. Luckily no one was close behind me or I could have easily been hit. There was nothing in front of me so emergency brakes should not have deployed.
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 the hyw
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 determined that the front windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of th...
Oct 7 2025 when me and my 6 year old daughter. Was leaving after picking her up at mom i drove off then came to stop sign so i slowly hit breaks and car accelerated very dangerous im very concerned
When driving after let of throttle it some time floors it 4 times
THE BRAKE PEDAL SOME TIME GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR. I BROUGHT VEHICLE IN SUBARU DEALER FOR CHECK UP. THEY STATED THAT THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER IS DEFECTIVE, NEED TO BE REPLACE. THIS IS 2023 VEHICLE AND THE MILEAGE IS ONLY 46,000 MILES. For safety to me and other drivers please investigate this safety concern.
Driving down highway in center lane, at or under speed limit, rainy conditions. Unexpectedly hydroplaned when transitioning from asphalt to bridge. Collided head-on with guardrail on right-hand side of road. Car then rotated and driver side rear collided with guardrail again. Airbags did not deploy, and during initial head on collision with barrier, driver seatbelt came unlatched from locking mec...
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while turning into a parking spot at 20 MPH and upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate, causing the contact to crash the front of the vehicle into the concrete wall. The vehicle came to a stop upon impact. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a local autobody center. No warning lights w...
The component that is compromised on my '23 Subaru Crosstrek Sport is the windshield. My vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Monday, Jan 13, 2025, a crack formed on my windshield. The crack happened on the inside of the vehicle. It was positioned above the defroster vent on the driver's side, and I saw it happen right before my eyes. I immediately inspected the windshield from the e...
Windshield began to crack in the lower right corner (sitting in drivers seat) over a year ago, was replaced and just noticed a crack again recently starting in the same spot.
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 was very strange. Additionally I did NOT have my foot on the gas pedal at all during this time. I proceeded to place t...
rear tire mostly but all 4 - need to add air 2-3 times daily. even adjusting the air pressure when tires are cold we still need to add air daily. Driving an hour at highway speed, parking car for a couple of hours and still the tire pressure is never sufficient. Brought to dealer 2 or 3 times and they cannot find a reason, me niece and others have also expressed this issue to me.
The windshield keeps chipping easily. I have not had it inspected. I am not sure who inspects them. It is obviously a safety risk.
A/C drain clogged and let water into car drenching all carpets below all seats- (2) electronic devices below driver and passenger seats malfunctioned and caused all Eyesight and safety systems to fail along with check engine light turning ON, all safety systems failed, all wheel drive offline and power steering went manual.
On July 12, 2024 I was driving down the highway when my sunroof suddenly shattered. It sounded like an explosion or a gun went off. I nearly crashed my vehicle. There were no vehicles in front of me however there were vehicles behind me. I looked back into my rear view mirror and saw vehicles veering out of the way as parts of sunroof glass flew. Thankfully I was able to pull over safely. No injur...
All the advanced driver assistance system items listed on the website list all Shutdown. The emergency brake lamp also was lighted. Subaru service has not found a solution as of yet. This issue clears then coms back within a single day. I find the system that I purchased not working is most alarming.
Potential safety hazard ? Engine Auto start/stop feature for gas savings and emmisons control works by applying brakes and Engine shuts off, it restarts when brakes released. Normal operation, BUT I have noticed that unbuckeling the seatbelt or OPENING the DOOR will cause it to RESTART even though brakes are applied..this could cause an accident as it's an unexpected RESTART of the Engine in dr...
Windshield cracked two times in the first year. I feel these windshields are more susceptible to cracking when a rock hits them. Very expensive to replace the windshields.
Spontaneous windshield cracking, no apparent reason. No impacts.
Showing 20 of 29 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek
Has the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK been recalled?
No, the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK have?
The 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK has 29 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 3 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
The 2023 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 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK involve unknown or other (7 complaints), visibility/wiper (4 complaints), engine (3 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other,visibility/wiper, forward collision avoidance, suspension.
How many crash reports does the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK have?
There are 3 crash reports associated with the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK out of 29 total complaints (10.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK have?
There are no fire reports for the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK.
How many injuries are reported for the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK is generally recommended. It has 29 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 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
The components with the most failures on the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7 complaints), 2. VISIBILITY/WIPER (4 complaints), 3. ENGINE (3 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER (2 complaints), 5. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 7 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
Be cautious of visibility and wiper issues, and regularly inspect the windshield for cracks. Engine and suspension problems have also been reported, so ensure these components are checked regularly. The 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK has 29 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
The 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 29 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 3 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Valve cover gasket and spark plug seal failure and Rear strut breaks.
What are the known issues with the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
Known issues with the 2023 SUBARU CROSSTREK include: Valve cover gasket and spark plug seal failure, Rear strut breaks, Windshield cracks, Brake pedal issues. These are based on patterns found across 29 NHTSA complaints.
Are there any common issues with the windshield?
Yes, windshield cracks and chipping have been reported, with some instances reappearing after initial replacement.
What about engine problems?
Valve cover gasket and spark plug seal failures have been reported, typically occurring between 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
Are there any brake system issues?
Yes, reports of the brake pedal going down to the floor have been noted, with one instance requiring a power brake booster check.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of visibility and wiper issues, and regularly inspect the windshield for cracks. Engine and suspension problems have also been reported, so ensure these components are checked regularly.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2023 Subaru Crosstrek
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek. The data includes 29 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2023 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