Make Sure to Check these Issues Before Buying a Used Subaru Crosstrek

Should you buy a used Subaru Crosstrek? Check out our used car review for the first-generation 2013-2016 Subaru Crosstrek to learn about what issues to look out for before you buy. In this video, we take a look at the first-generation Subaru Crosstrek and cover some helpful tips and checks to keep in mind if you're buying one of these AWD crossovers second hand.
Full used car report for the Used Subaru Crosstrek from www.autoTRADER.ca
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[@SweetJohnnyCage]

I would like to add something from my experience with a 2015 Impreza, which the Crosstrek is, more or less, the same as. If I dropped below 1/4 tank of fuel and drove above 70mph for ~15 minutes, the car would completely shut off and I wouldn't be able to restart it. The starter motor wouldn't even begin to rev, let alone turn over. It turns out that the fuel-level sensor is positioned in such a way that if you have under 1/4 tank of fuel remaining, the sustained G-force of driving above 70mph pushes the remaining fuel behind the sensor, and the sensor thinks the tank was completely empty. It takes about 20 minutes for the sensor to reset and for the car to turn on again. Serious shoutout to the mechanics at Subaru South Blvd in Charlotte, NC. I have no idea what caused you to think about the sensor and test it out, but you are awesome for having found the cause of the problem!

[@rohofmann]

What? this makes no sense. If you drive at a constant speed then there's no acceleration and the fuel in the tank would be pretty much still.

[@jasoncoughenour8911]

Why do you have less than a 1/4 tank at all ever? Seriously and fr fr.... Half a tank costs under $30 . Fill up once then refill at half tank, problem solved. You should be doing that anyway.

[@MitchellMitchelldotcom]

As a 2013 crosstrek owner I can confirm that this video is highly accurate. I wish for a quieter cabin, my seat has been fixed 3 times, and I monitor oil like a hawk. Did not know about CVT fluid issues, so that is a new thing I get to stress about now. All that being said, this car is amazing and the safety and control I feel in winters makes it all worth it.

[@MitchellMitchelldotcom]

@Ultra CNC Are you angry or something?... I was just confirming the accuracy of this video. haha. Everything is gonna be ok.

[@scatterbox2453]

Is this a good used buy?

[@MitchellMitchelldotcom]

@@scatterbox2453 it might need some work by now and if you get lucky you get one that got the oil consumption recall fixed. Look for '17 or '16 if you can, big improvements and should be similarly priced

[@GiannaL]

Seat change 3 times? Seems like you bring problems to your vehicles not the other way around… maybe just take care of your car and not complain about every little thing.

[@MitchellMitchelldotcom]

@@GiannaL Thanks for your helpful and accurate input in this conversation! Hope all is well!

[@NotFastEddie]

I have the 2016 Crosstrek premium and I couldn't be happier. The closest thing to a problem was a bad battery 2 years ago and a leaking valve in the high-pressure service port for the AC a year ago. The issues in the video are not unique to the Subaru Crosstrek, any other Subaru or any other Brand/model. These are things to look out for when buying any used car. The oil burning wasn't unique to Subaru either. It was common among many brands due to the introduction of low-tension piston rings. These were used to reduce friction and improve fuel economy. The 2016 is the best year to get because it got a cosmetic makeover and was the next to last year before the redesign. All the bugs, such as a bad AC compressor up to 2015, had been worked out. Even the recalled brake light switch, the only recall for this car BTW, was never a problem. The 2017, last year of the run, has some of the bad parts from the 2018 redesigned model, such as bulging brake lines. All those parts will likely be changed out by now so 2017 is the next best bet if you are looking for a good used car. The older models should also have the upgraded parts fitted by now so those should be good to go as well. The 2018's and newer have a directed injected engine, now used by most if not all manufacturers, which is prone to carbon buildup on the intake valves. This will cause reduced power, reduced fuel economy and engine knocking due to preignition caused by the carbon insulating the intake valves, causing hot spots. Premium fuel will help with the knocking, but periodic cleaning of the intake valves will be required.

[@thedeno6350]

Thank you for this great information

[@toadamine]

i just bought my second one... and im keeping the first one also.. ha these are great cars, theyre super lightweight, the handling is crisp and precise, and you can pack a ton of stuff inside considering how small and light of a car it is... i essentialy use mine as a small work van... im a carpenter and have it filled up with milwaukee packout boxes and tools usually... yeah they dont make a ton of horsepower, but they make up for it with their awesome handling, im ALWAYS the fastest car on twisty backroads... i blow by porches, corvettes, chargers miatas, motorcycles, Highway Patrol, whatever, i dont care, im going light years faster than every other car... and im not even "going fast" im just cruising my comfy speed on a road im unfamiliar with... i teach track driving and am alway one of the very fastest people at the race track so i do know good from bad handling... and the crosstrek is really awesome.... certainly not the best... but can certainly in the top one or two percent... yeah a porsche is a lot better but a lot being fractions of seconds in lap times... to the point where its gonna come down more to the driver than the suspension...

[@petset77]

Wife loves her 2013 with the 5 speed manual, but it leaks oil at 135,000 miles. No drips, and no burning oil smell. It just mysteriously uses oil. I just check it more often than once a month for top off. Not too environmentally friendly, but it has to have oil in it. Right rear eats tires. I just put on the snow tires, and saw the right corner worn more than others again. I rotate, but this one corner wears tires faster than the rest. Washer fluid reservoir. Cheap plastic with cheap plastic mounts, and it slips out of place regularly. This is wife's second Crosstrek that his occurs. No horn. The fuse is good. It stopped working, came back for a while, then went away again. 34MPG is great, however.

[@autotrader_ca]

Thanks for sharing!

[@boodog4023]

2016: Consumed oil since new--though has not increased @ 120k; just started changing oil @ 3k instead of 5 (mobile 1) and I think that helps the one quart per 5k consumption. Also, on the manual, had to replace throw-out clutch bearing @ 90k--mostly highway miles (prob 85%), which cost 1200$. Would I buy it again? I still can't say because my plan is ten years and 200k miles. If I make it to that I'll post. It is slow yet fun to drive with the stick.

[@gailwaters1469]

What about 2017?

[@ChicagoDeepHouseHead]

Forgot to mention the batteries drain like a sink.

[@kmorris9098]

Subaru doesn't recommend changing the transmission fluid in the CVT. Most Subaru dealerships won't even do it. High risk of failure if the fluid change is done incorrectly. The CVT for the First Gen has a warranty extension of 100k miles or 10 years I believe.

[@schuylerhecht8253]

No...high chance of failure when you flush the fluid...drain and replace bt 80k...I got a 17' XV bought brand new 4 years ago...I'm now at 89k

[@kmorris9098]

@@schuylerhecht8253 gotcha, flush vs drain. Sold our '15 at 98k miles. Didnt want to take the chance.

[@schuylerhecht8253]

@@kmorris9098 you made out, you're good than, did you get a new one? I changed the fluid at 75k

[@kmorris9098]

@@schuylerhecht8253 wife wanted an Audi Q3... 😪

[@schuylerhecht8253]

@@kmorris9098 uhoh!! That maybe the headache that is bound to ensues 🤣

[@themikeey5230]

How do you have that extra information on top of the hazard button? I have a 2016 and don't have that?

[@GASAMAHA]

Hello, I have a Subaro XV 2019, now with 90.000 km. I have glocked injectors and my dealer is saying they cannot be cleaned for model 2019, they need full replacement, which will cost around 1500usd. Is it normal? Thanks.

[@supercooled]

When was the footage filmed, Justin? YOu guys still got a lot of snow up North at this time? Great video, btw. I am or was int eh market for a Crosstrek until the market started tanking. When I checked prices, used were only a few thousands cheaper than their new counterpart so I decided to just get a new one. I'm hoping Subaru Canada will adjust their interest rates to reflect the climate otherwise I don't think it's going to sell many.

[@JustinPritchard]

Hey! Just north of Sudbury, Ontario in this case. Snow is still boot deep in the forest even today. Imagine we lose plenty this weekend! I think what you saw was the high resale value...happy shopping!

[@Alan-cf8do]

I have a 2016 i realy hate the suspension on this car its feels like u driving on the farm roads .

[@d0bata958]

does the car drive hard? 😯

[@bikeninja956]

curious how the reliability is on 2019's +. ..

[@AMF96]

I would get a 2018 or newer.. I have heard the 2018’s and newer are more reliable than the 2013-2017 models..

[@bikeninja956]

@@AMF96 interesting....been getting into overlanding recently, think I might go a different route, might just get a big ol SUV and trick it out instead...

[@AMF96]

@@bikeninja956 Yeah a 4x4 SUV is gonna be a better off roader.. while these Subaru’s AWD are great in the snow, they’re never gonna be as good as a true 4x4 on the off road.

[@mrmortgage]

​@@AMF96 I have a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. 86k miles and currently at the service center undergoing a complete engine teardown to determine a hard idle low power issue. Prior to this, I've had to carry oil with me at all times to top off oil prior to scheduled oil changes. Unfortunately, Subaru did not find any oil consumption issues with my car. I'm currently working with Subaru advocacy to determine the core issue. I'm praying they cover all repair cost out of warranty. I truly wanted to like my Subaru, but it unfortunately has been one of the most expensive cars to maintain that I've ever owned. Couple this with the ongoing oil consumption issues and now the complete engine teardown, needless to say, I'm a bit skeptical about Subarus engineering.

[@ZeroKoda]

On my goodness thank you for the second hand video!

[@anmcclo9731]

you wish for a great four season car this, is my pick for you Subaru Crosstrek

[@maxoliveira9150]

6500 for a headkest is that to Much for a 2015

[@moneyseeker8886]

Holy shit they come on manual ? Nice

[@noleftturnunstoned]

A sloppy 5 speed which is useless when pair with an that weak engine. There is now a much better 6 speed available in the 2 gen.

[@moneyseeker8886]

@@noleftturnunstoned that’s good news

[@ejikeejiofor5969]

What's the price?

[@BinskAndSmackers]

Used 2014 are about 17,000

[@alig6616]

Bought my 2019 for $17,000

[@Chichul]

What about 2012 model?

[@AntonyLD]

#AutoTrader #AutoTraderCanada At 70,000 miles, all 4 wheel bearings, main drive shaft & bearing, both front suspension struts, completely rotten under the plastic underbody trays so all the brake pipe hangers to rear rotten, all metal work rotting as not fully rust protected from new. trays hold mud/salt etc against metal

[@NAMULTISS]

Can't be that bad, sounds kinda of picky. Cvt are bad in general. But the rest is just what to expect buying used.

[@noleftturnunstoned]

not that bad? Having to replace a transmission on a used car is brutal, especially if it is under 100,000 miles. Pretty much turns it into a very large paper weight.