Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Transmission failure while driving on highway caused it to suddenly stalled. On restarting engine, car kept jerking and stopping, became undrivable. Only 46,700 miles on the clock. No warning lights, no warning of any kind. Subaru issued 10 year extended warranty covering transmission on this car but should have recalled and replaced since failure is catastrophic and dangerous. I took my car to Subaru dealer and they found low transmission fluid. Instead of inspecting the seals, they blamed the problem on oil change by an independent garage, accusing them of erroneously drained out transmission fluid before the car broke down.
The recall Type: Safety Service Campaign:WTY84 NHTSA Campaign: 18V772000 FB20 Valve Spring Replacement was reported completed by the manufacturer Subaru has no record of it being done. My car is now experiencing symptoms of this recall when I had no issues prior and want me to pay to look into the problem further. Now my vehicle has a check engine light for a recall that was potentially not done as I have no proof that it was completed.
I have been working with Subaru of America and Capital Subaru service in San Jose, CA for a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek XV 2.0 CVT automatic engine shortly after we bought it used for multiple faulty known engine problems with this specific make and model. Since we have owned the vehicle, we have not been able to drive it for more than 2 months short distance at a time due to engine, Valve body, major low oil pressure problems, and multiple sensor issues. This vehicle has been very dangerous for us to drive and has left us stranded not to mention paying the bank we financed payments to for a car we have been unable to use since purchasing. Subaru of America and Capital Subaru in San Jose have been awful, insensitive, and unhuman to our concerns and needs. We had to call them several times and were repeatedly ignore both parties for several days without any answers or any solutions. …
On [redacted], while driving on public roads in West Allis, Wisconsin, the vehicle's dashboard warning lights began flashing and the transmission stopped shifting. The vehicle became stuck in a low/first-gear-type condition and would not drive normally. This was a sudden loss of normal motive power during operation. The driver was stranded roadside and ultimately walked approximately 3.5 miles home. The vehicle was towed to Werks Autosport in Muskego, Wisconsin. Their written diagnosis documents fault code P0730 (incorrect gear ratio). Scan-tool live data showed the actual gear ratio outside the specified range, and the applicable diagnostic flow chart calls for replacement of the transmission. The failure has not been repaired. Relevant history: approximately two days before this failure, the selling dealer completed transmission valve-body/solenoid work on this vehicle. …
My 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek was purchased brand new in September 2013. Within 65K miles I had to replace the cv joint on both front wheels (issue was indicated by a clicking sound from the wheel when turning right or left). Again, at around 120K miles I had to replace them both, and now, a third time at 182K miles. After doing much research this is a common issue on the XV Crosstrek that is not related to driving conditions, road conditions, or due to physical damage to the part or vehicle. Each of the times the cv joint was replaced the boot was intact, which indicates that it is a faulty part or assembly rather than damage occurring to the wheel. Each of these repairs costs approximately $500 at the dealership (per wheel) and is not covered under warranty. The number of complaints regarding this should require Subaru of America to voluntarily recall or repair this part free of charge. …
Slow starting when turning over from stop/park/cold/hot. Excessive oil use after each 3,000 miles. No light warning for low oil displays. Engine bogs or almost stalls when giving gas. Usually when air conditioning is running. This started to occur after I had the valve spring recall taken care of. And all ignition coils replaced. The ignition coils caused excessive stalling downhill to uphill at various speeds yet usually occurred when applying gas from slow to mid-speed when applying gas. My thought were it was due to the recall but evidently had not relation. As per Subaru dealer on maui. Rear wheel bearing repeatedly replace. 3 times in one 1 and a half years. Start with with winding noise then gets worse very quickly. Within 1 to 2 months. Felt /feels very unsafe. Driving at slower speed okay at the range of 45-60 MPH noise is very predominate. …
Cv joint & front axel I have had to replace my front axels twice now in my Crosstrek. Once at 36K miles and again at 59K. Both times I diagnosed the issue when I heard a clicking noise on sharp turns. I brought the vehicle in for repair at the dealership on both occasions as well. The Crosstrek online forums have listed many stories like mine, with people reporting the same issue of needing to replace their axels prematurely. The average lifespan of an axel is normally closer to 100K+ miles. I do not off road, I drive city streets at the speed limit. I see no other reason for this issue other than poor design/defect.
Recently, with only 60,434 miles (and actually a little before this), the axle had to be replaced on my 2013 Crosstrek Subaru. I was told that this was due to bad roads. But, after having owned many cars, never has an axle had to be replaced. I am writing because there is another owner of a 2013 Crosstrek who had the same issue, noted on this website and was given the same excuse that I was. Clearly, there is a problem mechanically with these axles. In fact, their advertisement for the Crosstrek shows the vehicle on a bumpy dirt road. There is a problem here.
I was accelerating while merging onto a freeway when the engine rpms suddenly dropped and the car slowed way down. Fortunately, the traffic was light, and the cars behind me on the on-ramp and on the freeway were able to avoid my car as I pulled to the shoulder. Fortunately there was a wide, clear shoulder to pull onto as I tried to figure out what was happening. I shifted into manual mode and attempted to upshift. I don't know if this had any effect or if the problem resolved spontaneously, but I was able to resume driving.
Hill descent, sway control, ABS lights came on at the same time on the way to work, I was coming of an exit. I had the codes checked and nothing was showing. Over a month later, the check engine and transmission temp lights came on my to work. I immediately turned around and parked my car. Trans temp light was blinking. A few days later I had it taken to a Subaru dealership for service. I paid for a diagnostic. The result was a $1600 bill for a valve body kit, trans cover gasket, o-ring, trans body wiring harness.
Transmission complaints in other XV Crosstrek years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek, 22% of the model year's 98 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
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.