Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Subaru Crosstrek owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the accelerator pedal was not depressed but the vehicle slightly accelerated independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that while accelerating from a complete stop and making a turn, the vehicle inadvertently stalled, almost causing another vehicle to crash into her vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed an engine failure and that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V264000 (Electrical System, Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer updated the ECM software. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 7,990.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. While the contact was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while the engine was still off, the gear shifter was shifted into reverse(R) and the vehicle accelerated backwards. The contact slammed on the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from crashing into another parked vehicle. The contact pressed the ignition button with her foot on the brake pedal to start the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled to service the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
I sent my Crosstrek to the dealer for the WRE21 recall. After retrieving the car from the dealership with the recall fix in place, the engine stalled while I was at a red light and I could see smoke coming out from the hood. This occurred after driving less than 4 miles from the dealership. I opened the hood and could see that one of the coil packs on the driver side cylinder bank was on fire. I called 911 and the Fire Department had to extinguish the fire. The fire has rendered the vehicle inoperable and smoke damaged.
My daughter was in process of pulling her car into the garage when it experienced sudden acceleration and crashed into the garage. My daughter was unable to stop the car as the brake system failed during the incident. She is now too terrified to drive the car. Subaru claims that the car is and has been operating as intended. The Subaru Eyesight, Anti-Lock Braking, Vehicle Dynamic Control systems all failed during the sudden acceleration event. It's fortunate that this incident did not happen at a stoplight (intersection).
I received 2 recall notices in the mail from Subaru 0n 6/16/2021. I immediately contacted the selling dealer, Dunning Subaru, Ann Arbor Michigan and was advised that they could not even give me a date in July when the vehicle could be repaired, but they would add my name to a waiting list for appointments. I contacted Subaru customer service for assistance and was told I would have to find a local retailer on my own and that though they said the vehicle was not safe to drive, they refused to offer and substitute transportation until the vehicle could be repaired. I contacted LaFontaine Subaru, Commerce Twsp, Mi and was advised that they have been unable to order sufficient parts for this recall and while the earliest available appointment was for July 7th (3 weeks from today) they could not guarantee that they would have the parts on that date to actually perform the repair. …
Per NHTSA Product Campaign Bulletin WRE-21, all ignition coils on my 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Premium were replace on August 9th, 2021. On November 26th 2024, the same vehicle experienced a total loss of motive power on a 50 mph, 2-lane road, resulting in emergency action to move the car off of the right-of-way. All occupants of the car were not injured. After the vehicle was towed to a Subaru Dealership, the service notes stated "DIAGNOSED NO START SCANNED AND FOUND P1604 STARTABILITY MALFUNCTION, AND P0304 CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE, CHECKED FUEL PRESSURE AND FOUND IT WAS WITHIN SPEC, FOUND THE IGNITION COIL FUSE WAS BLOWN AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND THE CYL 4 COIL PACK SHORTED INTERNALLY AND THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CIRCUITS CONNECTED BLOWING THE FUSE, COIL PACK AND FUSE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED." The wording of the technician's notes mirror the wording of the WRE-21. …
When driving, the car has intermittent random power failures. When you start to accelerate, it does not go even when applying full petal to the floor or letting go and pushing the petal again then it goes rapidly to speed. It is failing to accelerate more frequently and when I brought it in to the dealership twice, they said if I can tell them exactly how and when it is failing they would have a chance at fixing the problem. The problem they say is that it is random. Because of the problem with this we are seriously looking at buying another car. We no longer pull out into traffic because we do not know if it will fail. There are no warning lights on the dash or other indications.
Not sure yet what component or system failed as the car is being towed to dealer. On 12/23/24, The engine made a grinding noise and then the car completelyshut down and froze on the Highway. No Power, All the Dashboard lights flashed on - and I could not put the car in Park. Since I was on the highway - my safety and safety of drivers behind me were at great risk until a help truck was able to block the road. Car will be inspected by Subaru on 12/26. Subaru was closed 12/23 PM, 12/24, 12/25 There were NO warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of a problem prior to the failure.
Battery continually does not hold charge over any time longer than a few days parked. Even after long drive from Wisconsin to Ohio, car sitting for 6 days in cool weather (never under 40 degrees) caused dead battery. Battery has been replaced by Subaru dealer 3 times previously, each time dealer said they could not detect a problem. In winter, battery is dead each night, even with normal daily use each day.
In the middle of driving car stuttered, engine light went on, and car stalled. Unable to restart, Engine cranks but would not turn over. Had car towed for repair. Diagnostic shows engine coil short causing blown fuse. Subaru has an active recall for this identical issue for my same year and model 2019 Crosstrek but the recall does not cover my VIN.
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge.
Engine complaints in other Crosstrek years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 12% of the model year's 285 complaints. The component named most often is engine › engine control module (ecu/ecm) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2019 Subaru Crosstrek engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-856 (crankcase (pcv), Dec 2, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2019 Subaru Crosstrek engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 8,000 miles, and 89% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.