The 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid combines Subaru's FB20 2.0L boxer with a plug-in hybrid system that adds complexity and some unique failure points. While the hybrid drivetrain itself is reasonably robust, the conventional Subaru weaknesses—head gaskets, CVT issues, and now 12V battery problems—remain present and are complicated by the hybrid architecture.
12V Auxiliary Battery Premature Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 30,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start condition even with high-voltage battery charged, Multiple electrical warnings on dash, Hybrid system won't initialize, Battery dies after sitting 2-3 days
Fix: Replace 12V auxiliary battery with OEM unit. The hybrid system is hard on this battery due to constant cycling. Aftermarket batteries often fail faster. 0.5-1.0 hour labor, but accessing it requires removing trim panels near rear cargo area.
Estimated cost: $300-500
CVT Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: CVT fluid puddles under vehicle, Burnt transmission smell, Transmission temperature warning light, Slipping or shuddering during acceleration
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler lines and flush/refill CVT fluid. Lines corrode at crimp points. If driven low on fluid, CVT may need replacement (15-20 hours labor). Catch it early: line replacement is 2-3 hours.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200 for lines; $6,000-8,000 if CVT damaged
FB20 Engine Head Gasket Seepage
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Slight coolant smell from engine bay, Small coolant loss over time, no visible leaks, White residue on engine block near head mating surface, Check engine light with P0128 (coolant temp below threshold)
Fix: Head gaskets on the FB20 are better than EJ-series but still weep occasionally. Full gasket replacement requires 12-16 hours labor due to hybrid component packaging making access tighter. Resurface heads, replace timing components while open.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,200
Transmission Mount Deterioration
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Vibration at idle in Drive, Excessive drivetrain movement felt through cabin
Fix: Replace rear transmission mount. The hybrid motor adds weight and torque that accelerates mount failure. Straightforward job: 1.5-2.0 hours labor. Use OEM mount—aftermarket versions collapse faster under hybrid system's load.
Estimated cost: $250-400
High-Voltage Battery Cooling Fan Noise
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 40,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Loud whirring or grinding from rear cargo area, Noise increases in hot weather or after long drives, Reduced electric-only range
Fix: Replace high-voltage battery cooling fan assembly. Bearings fail or debris gets sucked in. Fan is accessible through rear cargo trim: 1.5 hours labor. If ignored, battery can overheat and derate performance permanently.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Fuel System Vapor Canister / Purge Valve Issues
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with P0441, P0455, P0456 (EVAP codes), Fuel smell near rear of vehicle, Difficulty fueling—pump clicks off repeatedly
Fix: Replace charcoal canister and/or purge valve. Hybrid's infrequent engine runtime can cause valve sticking. Canister is behind rear bumper: 1.5-2.0 hours labor including smoke test to verify fix.
Estimated cost: $350-650
Owner tips
Change CVT fluid every 30,000 miles—not the 'lifetime' claim. Hybrid stress accelerates fluid breakdown.
Drive the car weekly even if using electric-only mode. Engine needs to run to keep seals lubricated and 12V battery charged.
Use OEM coolant only—hybrid system has aluminum/magnesium components sensitive to wrong additives.
Check 12V battery voltage monthly; replace proactively at 4 years even if testing OK.
Decent car if you need AWD and plug-in capability, but budget $1,500-2,500 for deferred maintenance on any used example—CVT service, 12V battery, and mounts are almost guaranteed needs by 60k miles.
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.
Be the first to unlock repairs for the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
Procedures haven't been generated for this vehicle yet. Become the founding sponsor and we'll generate expert-grade, step-by-step repair walkthroughs for every common job on it — free for every mechanic and DIYer who looks it up after, forever.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Crosstrek Hybrid vehicles. The harness terminal that supplies low-voltage power from the converter to the 12-Volt battery may corrode and break, preventing the 12-Volt battery from charging.
Consequence: A 12-Volt battery that is unable to recharge can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the converter terminal mounting bracket. If corrosion is found on the terminals, the 12-Volt output harness and terminals will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 12, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-23.
SUSPENSION:REAR · 21V263000
2021-04-15
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
Consequence: Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-21.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · 21V264000
2021-04-15
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER · 20V189000
2020-03-31
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.
Consequence: In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. The began April 15, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-20.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV) · 19V856000
2019-12-02
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.
Consequence: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
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. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · 19V743000
2019-10-18
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
Consequence: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR · 19V404000
2019-05-30
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The driver's side rear-door window glass may be improperly tempered. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."
Consequence: Improperly tempered glass can shatter into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side rear-door window glass, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUG-92.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 19V065000
2019-02-06
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
Consequence: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet. Subaru has notified dealers and they will inspect the steering gearbox, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUC-88.
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.