Subaru Crosstrek

FB20 2.0L NA 152 hp Automatic All-wheel drive SUV 2018–2023

– Be Careful

Engine FB20 – Be Careful 8,900–17,500 €

Naturally aspirated boxer with 2.0L — the Impreza/Crosstrek engine. Watch for valve spring recall on 2012-2014 models. Oil consumption on early examples (class action settlement). Significantly improved from 2015. Reliable everyday engine with no ambitions — does its job and stays quiet.

Fun Factor? Decent

Impreza on stilts — AWD crossover at a fair price

Essentially a raised Impreza with plastic cladding. Ground clearance and AWD make it the ideal companion for unpaved roads. Not a sports car, not an adventure SUV — a compact daily that can do more than it has to.

Engine Weaknesses 4

!! Recall: Valve Spring Fracture

Recall WTY-84: 2012-2014 Impreza, 2013 BRZ, 2013 Crosstrek — 140,249 US vehicles. Valve springs fracture, engine stalls. Repair time 7-12 hours.

0–0 €

!! Oil Consumption Early Models (2012-2014)

Class action: 2012-2013 Impreza, 2013 Crosstrek. Settlement with 8 year/100k mile warranty extension. Significantly improved after 2014.

Symptoms: Oil level warnings, elevated oil consumption between changes

4,000–5,000 € from 50,000 km

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! Timing Chain Tensioner Cold-Start Rattle

Hydraulic timing chain tensioner bleeds down when parked. Cold start produces 3-5 seconds of metallic rattling until oil pressure is restored. TSB exists: replace left tensioner with modified part.

Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start for 3-5 seconds, sounds like chain noise, disappears at operating temperature

300–800 € from 60,000 km

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! Cam Carrier Seal Leak

Robot-applied RTV sealant on cam carrier and timing cover fails around 50,000-60,000 miles. Very labor-intensive: engine must be removed. Known FB engine problem affecting both FB20 and FB25.

Symptoms: Oil seeping from cylinder head side or front of engine, oil smell after driving, dropping oil level

700–2,200 € from 90,000 km

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Vehicle Weaknesses 4

!! Gearbox CVT Judder (Lineartronic)

Lineartronic CVT on the Crosstrek GT: neglected fluid maintenance or valve body defect causes judder. Warranty extended to 10 years/100,000 miles.

3,000–7,000 € from 100,000 km

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! Suspension Wheel Bearing Wear

Bearing issues continue on the GT: rear wheel bearings fail early (documented from 55,000 miles). Multiple failures on the same vehicle reported.

400–800 € from 60,000 km

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! Electronics Battery Drain (DCM Parasitic Draw)

DCM (Data Communication Module) and Starlink infotainment cause elevated parasitic draw. Battery dead after a few days sitting — up to 4 battery replacements on the same vehicle documented. Class-action settlement.

500–1,200 € from 25,000 km

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! Electronics EyeSight System Failure

EyeSight shuts down in rain, cold, or after windshield cleaning. Combined with infotainment crash, the entire driver assistance system disables. Software updates partially helpful.

0–500 € from 40,000 km

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Reports & Tests

nhtsa_complaints NHTSA Complaint Summary 2026-03

Below Average

687 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2018–2023). Most reported: Wipers & Visibility (248), Other (139), Electrical (105).