Subaru Crosstrek electrical problems, 2016–2027
193 of the 1,130 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Crosstrek 2016–2027 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2019 (53), 2016 (38), 2018 (32). Filed under the same heading across these years: 10 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recall campaigns, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Subaru Crosstrek electrical problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the electrical system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 1 | 12% | — | 38 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 5 | 11% | — | 68 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 8 | 7% | — | 196 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2023 | 6 | 18% | — | 271 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 4 | 13% | — | 316 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2021 | 17 | 15% | — | 283 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2020 | 11 | 16% | — | 328 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 53 | 19% | 9k | 378 TSBs · 2 recalls · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2018 | 32 | 16% | 15k | 304 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2017 | 18 | 19% | 36k | 273 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 | 38 | 28% | 40k | 278 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 5 · 2018: 11 · 2019: 26 · 2020: 29 · 2021: 25 · 2022: 14 · 2023: 15 · 2024: 24 · 2025: 21 · 2026: 23
Across the model years, half of the 84 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 8,000 and 40,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v743000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
Eye sight notification and engine light turns on and we lost power steering whilst driving the vehicle
Experiencing same issues as many others. Key will not pull out unless turned back on and change gears; then when turned back off key will pull out. Started happening in 2019. Again, same as other people, hear clicking when turning left. Taking to dealership tomorrow but seems like it will be the axle from what others are experiencing
Not able to remove key from ignition have to take the vehicle out of park put it back in park in park and sometimes repeat then able to remove key from ignition. Dealership says it's not covered under the manufacturer's warranty the service advisor nee exactly what the issue was as they just did the repairs to another vehicle the part is…
1) vehicle was delivered new with rear power windows not working. 2) LED brake light stopped working at 15000 miles , noticed when I was backing up in front of glass doors. I was told by dealer wire was shorting out and entire light assembly needed to be replaced.
What is on file about the electrical system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 23V551000 HighAug 4, 2023 · 35,357 vehicles
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek and Impreza vehicles. Due to insufficient clearance, the instrument panel harness may contact the steering beam bracket, damaging the wire insulation and causing a short circuit.
- 23V080000 HighFeb 14, 2023 · 8,413 vehicles
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Crosstrek Hybrid vehicles. The harness terminal that supplies low-voltage power from the converter to the 12-Volt battery may corrode and break, preventing the 12-Volt battery from charging.
- 19V743000 ModerateOct 18, 2019 · 466,205 vehicles
- 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.
NHTSA investigation
- DP22005 Pedestrian alert soundsopened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023
- NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
10 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Aug 31, 2026
- This bulletin announces design changes to the front seat bottom heat unit.
- SubaruNet Announcement (C Other 2022Aug 21, 2026
- This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
- Aug 20, 2026
- This bulletin announces a design change to the cord assembly that connects the Center Infotainment Display (CID) to the CCU, addressing reports of CID screen flickering.
- Aug 20, 2026
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- Aug 20, 2026
- This bulletin announces a reprogramming file availability and provides a software update installation procedure to optimize the new Gen 4.5 Denso CP1.5 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models listed. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- Aug 13, 2026
- This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- Article Locator Other 2023Aug 5, 2026
- Techtips newsletter locator index.
- Aug 1, 2026
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
The 8 newest are listed; each model year’s page lists every one filed on that year. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Subaru Crosstrek
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Subaru Crosstrek problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Subaru Crosstrek years have the most electrical complaints?
2019, 53; 2016, 38; 2018, 32. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (28%).
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Subaru Crosstrek?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 23V551000 (2024), 23V080000 (2022), 19V743000 (2019). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do electrical problems show up on the Subaru Crosstrek?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 27,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 8,000 and 40,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.