The 2016 Crosstrek with the FB20 2.0L is fundamentally reliable transportation, but oil consumption issues and CVT cooler failures are the two dominant concerns that can turn expensive if ignored.
Excessive Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Failure
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Low oil light between changes, burning 1+ quart per 1,000 miles, Blue smoke on cold start or acceleration, Rough idle or misfires if allowed to run low, Check engine light for lean codes or misfire
Fix: Classic FB20 problem—carbon buildup causes piston rings to stick. Subaru issued extended warranty to 100k for some VINs. If under warranty, they often do a short block. Out of warranty, you're looking at 12-16 hours labor for short block replacement or full rebuild depending on damage. Some techs try piston ring replacement alone (8-10 hours), but success rate is mixed if cylinder walls are scored.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,000
CVT Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure
Common · high severityTypical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddle under vehicle, often pink/red, Sudden loss of Drive or erratic shifting, Transmission overheating warning if driven after leak starts, Cooler lines visibly corroded where they connect to radiator
Fix: The steel cooler lines rust through where they attach to the radiator—common on all Subarus with external CVT coolers in salt states. If caught early, it's just lines and fluid (2-3 hours). If the CVT runs low on fluid even briefly, internal damage often follows and you're into a $5k+ rebuild or replacement. Inspect these lines religiously on pre-purchase.
Estimated cost: $400-800 (lines only), $5,000-7,000 (if CVT damaged)
CVT Judder and Shudder on Acceleration
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Vibration or bucking feeling at low speeds, especially 15-30 mph, Shudder during light throttle or uphill acceleration, May improve when warm, worse when cold, No warning lights initially
Fix: Subaru released multiple TSBs and software updates for CVT calibration. Start with a fluid drain-and-fill with fresh Subaru CVT fluid (1.5 hours) and software flash if available—this solves it about 60% of the time. If shudder persists, valve body replacement or torque converter work is next (6-8 hours), which gets expensive. Some units just have internal wear and need full replacement.
Estimated cost: $250-400 (fluid/flash), $2,500-4,000 (valve body), $5,000+ (replacement)
Head Gasket Seepage (Minor but Worth Watching)
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 100,000+ mi
Symptoms: Slight coolant smell after driving, no visible leak, Minor oil seepage at head gasket area, visible on block, Coolant level drops slowly over months, No overheating or white smoke (yet)
Fix: The FB20 is far better than older EJ engines for head gaskets, but they can still weep externally around 100k+. If it's a slow seep and not mixing oil/coolant, many owners just monitor it. Full head gasket job is 10-14 hours—timing components, resurfacing, etc. Not an emergency until it starts mixing fluids or overheating.
Estimated cost: $2,000-3,200
Brake Light Switch Failure (Recall Item)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: any mileage
Symptoms: Brake lights don't illuminate when pedal pressed, Cruise control won't engage or cancels randomly, Push-button start won't work (needs brake signal), Check if recall was completed—many weren't
Fix: NHTSA recall for defective brake light switch. Dealer replaces it free if recall not done. If you're paying out of pocket, it's a simple switch above the brake pedal—0.5 hours labor. Check recall status by VIN before buying any used Crosstrek.
Estimated cost: $80-150 (if not covered by recall)
Rear Differential Fluid Leak at Pinion Seal
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Gear oil drips from rear of rear differential, Visible wetness around pinion flange or axle seals, Whining noise from rear if fluid level drops significantly
Fix: Pinion seal or axle seals start weeping. It's a slow leak usually—top off fluid and monitor, or replace seals preemptively. Pinion seal requires removing driveshaft and setting pinion preload (3-4 hours). Axle seals are easier (1.5 hours each side). Not urgent unless you let it run dry.
Estimated cost: $350-600
Buy one if oil consumption history checks out clean and CVT shifts smoothly—solid bones, but those two issues can bankrupt you if unaddressed.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.