2024 Subaru Crosstrek: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek
On the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, the failure owners report most often is cruise control failure, with 12 reports on file. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 20,000 miles. Overall it scores 76 out of 100, severe risk for a 2024.
Severe risk for a 2024 — 75th riskiest of the 226 2024 vehicles we can rate. 142 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What owners report breaking
Owners have reported 41 named failure modes on the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, and the three most-reported carry 23% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Cruise control failure leads with 12 reports and about 0.7 per 1,000 vehicles.
Other visibility problem follows with 12 reports, median 5,000 miles.
Other electrical problem follows with 9 reports.
By system, the reports fall mostly into adas (27), lighting (15) and glass (14).
The mileage the reports cluster at
17 of the reports on the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 20,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 76% by 50,000 miles and 94% by 100,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 35% of the dated reports.
65% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 41. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
Severity, and what it costs
Across the named modes, 12 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 5 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.18, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: cruise control failure at $200–$1,400, other visibility problem at $150–$1,400, other electrical problem at $250–$2,000 and other driver assistance problem at $250–$1,800. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
17% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise control failure | adas | 12 | 1 | — | 8k | — | 0.7 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 12 | 1 | — | 6k | — | 0.7 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.5 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.5 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.4 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 7 | 1 | — | 60 | — | 0.4 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Infotainment screen failure | infotainment | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.3 | $400–$2,600 | Low |
| Other engine problem | engine | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.3 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 6 | 1 | — | 116k | — | 0.3 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Lane keep or steering assist fault | adas | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $200–$1,600 | High |
| Tire blowout or tread separation | wheels | 4 | 3 | — | 19k | — | 0.2 | $200–$1,500 | Critical |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $200–$900 | High |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 3 | 1 | — | 1k | — | 0.2 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 2 | 2 | — | 37k | — | 0.1 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 2 | 1 | — | 36k | — | 0.1 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Windshield cracking | glass | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 2 | 1 | — | 4k | — | 0.1 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Engine bay fire | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 1k | — | 0.1 | $4,000–$20,000 | Critical |
| Complete engine failure or seizure | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 45k | — | 0.1 | $4,500–$12,000 | Critical |
| Head gasket failure | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 92k | — | 0.1 | $1,400–$4,000 | Critical |
| Misfire or rough idle | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Turbocharger or supercharger failure | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 90k | — | 0.1 | $1,500–$4,500 | High |
| Thermostat failure | cooling | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$900 | Moderate |
| CVT failure | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $3,000–$8,500 | Critical |
| Torque converter failure | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $1,100–$3,200 | High |
| CV axle or driveshaft failure | drivetrain | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $450–$2,200 | High |
| Differential or transfer case failure | drivetrain | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $900–$4,200 | High |
| Audio or connectivity failure | infotainment | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $150–$900 | Low |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 1 | 1 | — | 27k | — | 0.1 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Loss of power steering | steering | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $600–$2,800 | Critical |
| Steering column or shaft failure | steering | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $600–$2,500 | Critical |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Unclassified problem | other | 14 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.8 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek draws about 8.0 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 91st percentile of complaint rates among 2024 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 17,678 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2024 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
Recalls on the 2024 model year
NHTSA has issued 2 recall campaigns covering the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, affecting an estimated 18,618 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover power train:driveline:driveshaft and electrical system: instrument cluster/panel. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
4,701 vehicles 2023-11-09- Defect
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
- Consequence
- A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRP-23.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
35,357 vehicles 2023-08-04- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- A short circuit may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the harness and install an additional clamp on the steering beam bracket. If damage is found, dealers will add protective tape or replace the instrument panel harness, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 3, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-23.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2024 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Where 2024 sits in the model line
Severe risk for a 2024 — 75th riskiest of the 226 2024 vehicles we can rate. Every score on this site is a rank inside its own model year, which is what makes a 2004 and a 2019 comparable at all.
Across the 13 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2014 comes out best at 61 and 2021 worst at 79, with 2024 itself at 76.
If the model year is negotiable, 2014, 2015, 2013, 2025, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2018, 2022 and 2023 score lower than 2024 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2024–2026 generation specifically, 2025 is the strongest year at 65 and 2024 the weakest at 76.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2024-2026 generation, 2025 Subaru Crosstrek scores best at 65 and 2024 Subaru Crosstrek worst at 76.
What this page cannot tell you
142 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 142 reports, 17 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 12% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek?
The most-reported failures are cruise control failure (12 reports, median 10,000 miles), other visibility problem (12 reports, median 5,000 miles) and other electrical problem (9 reports). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
Is the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
It scores 76 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 75th riskiest of the 226 2024 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2024 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Subaru Crosstrek is best?
Within the 2024–2026 generation, 2025 scores best at 65 out of 100 and 2024 worst at 76. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed