The 2013-2018 Crosstrek with the FB20 2.0L engine is generally reliable for a Subaru, but suffers from oil consumption issues that can escalate to catastrophic engine damage if ignored, plus typical CVT concerns seen across the brand.
Excessive Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Failure (FB20 Engine)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning through 1+ quart of oil every 1,000-1,500 miles, Blue smoke from exhaust on cold starts or acceleration, Low oil warning light between oil changes, Eventual rod knock or seized engine if oil level drops critically
Fix: Early stages: monitor closely and top off religiously. Once consumption exceeds 1 qt/1,000 mi, Subaru TSB calls for short block replacement under extended warranty (many 2013-2014 models covered to 100k mi). Out of warranty: short block replacement runs 18-22 labor hours; some shops do piston ring jobs for 12-15 hours but success varies. Catastrophic failure (spun bearings, scored crank) requires full engine rebuild or used engine swap.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500
CVT Transmission Shuddering / Judder on Acceleration
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Vibration or shudder during light acceleration from a stop, Hesitation when merging or climbing hills, Occasional slipping sensation between 20-40 mph, Transmission overheating warning in severe cases
Fix: Drain and fill with fresh Subaru CVT fluid (NOT a flush) can help if caught early; some techs do this every 30k mi preventively. Persistent shudder often means torque converter clutch wear or valve body contamination. Subaru extended CVT warranty to 10yr/100k mi on many units. Repair involves transmission removal and internal overhaul (12-16 hours) or remanufactured unit swap.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,000
Head Gasket Seepage (Less Common Than Older Subarus)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 120,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: External oil seepage at head gasket seam, visible on engine block, Slight coolant smell but usually no overheating, Oil residue around spark plug tubes, Rarely progresses to internal coolant/oil mixing on FB20
Fix: External seepage only: some owners defer until other work justifies pulling the engine. Full head gasket job requires engine-out on Crosstrek (due to clearance), 14-18 labor hours. Machine shop resurfacing adds time. Replace timing components, water pump, and all seals while apart. Not the catastrophic failure seen on EJ25 engines but still labor-intensive.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,200
Rear Wheel Bearing Noise
Common · low severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Growling or humming noise that increases with speed, Noise changes pitch in turns (louder turning one direction), No play in wheel when jacked up until very worn
Fix: Press-in wheel bearing assembly requires hub removal; 2.0-2.5 hours per side. Diagnose by raising vehicle and spinning wheel by hand or road-test at 40+ mph. Replace in pairs if both sides show wear. Some aftermarket bearings fail early; stick with OEM or quality brands like Timken.
Estimated cost: $400-650 per side
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink/red fluid spots under front of vehicle, Low CVT fluid level on dipstick (if equipped; some years have no dipstick), Transmission overheating if leak is severe, Corrosion on cooler lines at fittings or bends
Fix: Cooler lines run from transmission to radiator; corrosion at hard-line-to-rubber transition points is typical. Replace both feed and return lines (sold as kit); 2-3 hours labor. Must refill CVT fluid to spec and verify no air in system. Neglecting this will starve CVT and cause failure.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Brake Light Switch Failure (Recall 20V-666)
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: Brake lights stay on continuously, Cruise control inoperative, Push-button start issues (car thinks brake not pressed), Battery drain from lights staying on
Fix: Recalled issue but not all owners completed recall. Switch is above brake pedal; replacement takes 0.5 hours. Check if vehicle had recall service performed; if not, dealer will cover. Non-recall replacement is straightforward DIY or cheap shop job.
Estimated cost: $120-200 if not recall-covered
PCV Valve / Engine Breathing System Sludge (Recall WUH-66)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle or stalling when cold, Check engine light for lean/rich codes, Oil residue in intake tract, Increased oil consumption from crankcase pressure
Fix: Recall WUH-66 covers PCV cleaning and valve replacement on 2012-2015 models with excessive idle hours (rare on Crosstreks). Non-recalled cars: clean PCV valve passages in heads, replace valve, inspect intake for sludge; 2-3 hours. Use quality oil and change intervals under 6k mi to prevent. Can worsen piston ring oil consumption if neglected.
Estimated cost: $250-450 if not recall-covered
Solid commuter if the oil consumption issue was addressed under warranty or you verify stable consumption; avoid high-mileage examples without service records showing CVT fluid changes and short block replacement history.
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.