Subaru Crosstrek Sport

FB25 2.5L NA 182 hp Automatic All-wheel drive SUV 2021–2023

– Be Careful

Engine FB25 – Be Careful 11,200–23,900 €

Subaru's volume boxer: 2.5L NA in Legacy, Outback, Forester. Oil consumption class action for 2011-2014 models — piston rings didn't seat properly. Cam carrier seal leaks from ~60k miles (labor-intensive). Thermo control valve on 2019-2022 models: plastic housing fails under heat — Subaru extended warranty to 15 years. Improved from 2023.

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

!! Oil Consumption — Piston Rings (2011-2014)

Class action for 2011-2014 Forester, Legacy, Outback. Piston rings didn't seat due to variable bore roughness. Worst cases: 1 quart per 800 miles.

Symptoms: Extreme oil consumption, frequent top-ups needed, blue smoke possible

4,000–6,000 € from 40,000 km

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!! Cam Carrier Seal Leak

Known FB engine problem: seal between cam carrier and cylinder head fails. Labor-intensive due to poor access. Service bulletins published.

Symptoms: Oil stain under engine, oil smell while driving, visible oil seepage at cylinder head

1,700–6,000 € from 100,000 km

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!! Thermo Control Valve Failure (2019-2022)

Electronic TCV plastic housing fails above 200°F. All warning lights simultaneously (EyeSight, front collision). Warranty extended to 15 years/150k miles. Mechanical thermostat replaces TCV from 2023.

Symptoms: All warning lights at once, no heater, fault codes P2682/P26A3/P26A5

1,300–1,800 € from 60,000 km

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! Intake Valve Carbon Buildup (DI Variant)

Direct-injected FB25D variant (from 2020) has the same carbon buildup issue as all DI engines. Budget for walnut blasting.

Symptoms: Rough idle, power loss

300–600 € from 80,000 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).