Compact SUVs · 2 model years, 2019 to 2021
Hyundai Kona vs Subaru Crosstrek: problems and reliability
On the 7 measures below that do not grow with sales, the Kona looks better on 2 and the Crosstrek on 1, with 4 too close to call.
Newest report Sep 19, 2026 · checked Sep 27, 2026
Scorecard
| Measure, 2019 to 2021 | Kona | Crosstrek |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints that report a crash | 4.2% | 3.5% |
| Complaints that report a fire | 2.3% | 1.3% |
| Complaints that report an injury | 2.3% | 2.0% |
| Median miles when problems are reported | 36,000 | 13,000 |
| Recall campaigns per model year | 0.5 | 4.0 |
| Do-not-drive recalls | 0 | 0 |
| NHTSA investigations | 2 | 0 |
The shaded side is lower (for miles, higher). Values within about a tenth of each other count as too close to call.
What owners complain about
The system Kona owners complain about most is engine; for the Crosstrek it is windshield and wipers. Complaints citing engine make up 68% of all Kona complaints, against 13% on the Crosstrek. The Crosstrek leans the other way on windshield and wipers: 36% of its complaints, against 0.3% for the Kona.
Hyundai KonaSubaru Crosstrek
Share of each model's complaints that cite each system, from NHTSA's own component codes. One complaint can cite several systems, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
The most reported problems
The most reported problem on the Kona is stalling (35% of its complaints). On the Crosstrek it is windshield problems (38% of its complaints), against 0.0% on the Kona.
| Problem | Kona | Crosstrek |
|---|---|---|
| Engine stalls or loses power while driving | 35% 107most in 2019 · 40k mi | 9.5% 38most in 2019 · 16k mi |
| Windshield cracks or distorts | 0 | 38% 150most in 2019 · 12k mi |
| Check engine light or misfire | 18% 55most in 2019 · 81k mi | 3.8% 15 |
| Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing | 20% 62most in 2019 · 70k mi | 1.3% 5 |
| Burns oil or oil level rises | 15% 45most in 2019 · 40k mi | 0 |
| Battery dies or the car will not start | 0 | 8.5% 34most in 2019 · 20k mi |
| Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails | 0 | 5.8% 2315k mi |
| Engine rattles or ticks | 4.9% 1546k mi | 0 |
Share of each model's own complaints, with the count beside it. "Most in" links to the symptom sheet for the model year with the most reports of it, and the mileage is the median from reports that gave one.
When problems start
Crosstrek owners report problems earlier. Half the Crosstrek complaints that give a mileage come before 13,000 miles; for the Kona the halfway point is 36,000. 57% of Kona reports and 94% of Crosstrek reports come before 50,000 miles. Older model years have had longer to reach high mileage, so a window that runs to recent years pulls both medians down.
Hyundai KonaSubaru Crosstrek
Share of the complaints that state a mileage: 127 for the Kona and 194 for the Crosstrek.
Worst and best years
No Kona model year stands out from the rest. The 2024 Crosstrek draws 4.0 times the complaints of a typical Crosstrek year for its age.
Hyundai KonaSubaru Crosstrek
Each bar is that model year's complaints for each year on the road, divided by the same figure for a typical year of the same model (the dashed line). Measuring each model against itself takes the sales gap between the two out of the picture, so they can share a scale. Years too new to judge are left out.
Recalls and investigations
The Crosstrek draws more recalls: 4.0 campaigns per model year against 0.5 for the Kona. A recall counts once however many cars it covers, so this figure does not grow with sales the way complaint totals do.
Hyundai Kona
1 recall campaign and 2 NHTSA investigations across these model years. Most recalled: engine (1).
- 21V-301 (engine) covers 2 model years
Investigations
- DP22005: Pedestrian alert sounds (closed, led to a recall)
- DP22003: Loss of motive power (closed)
Subaru Crosstrek
8 recall campaigns and 0 NHTSA investigations across these model years. Most recalled: electrical (2), visibility (1) and seat belts (1).
Whether a particular car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Crashes, fires and injuries
A larger share of Kona complaints report a crash: 4.2%, against 3.5% for the Crosstrek. Fire reports: 7 for the Kona and 5 for the Crosstrek.
Hyundai KonaSubaru Crosstrek
Share of each model's complaints in which the owner reported it. These are owners' own accounts as filed with NHTSA, and one report on its own doesn't prove a defect.
Questions
Is the Hyundai Kona or the Subaru Crosstrek more reliable?
On the 7 measures below that do not grow with sales, the Kona looks better on 2 and the Crosstrek on 1, with 4 too close to call. NHTSA complaint totals cannot settle it alone: the Kona has 307 complaints and the Crosstrek 399 for the 2 model years from 2019 to 2021 that both have on file, and those totals follow how many of each were sold.
Which has more recalls, the Kona or the Crosstrek?
The Kona has 1 recall campaigns and the Crosstrek 8 across the 2 model years from 2019 to 2021 that both have on file. The Crosstrek draws more recalls: 4.0 campaigns per model year against 0.5 for the Kona.
What are the most common problems on the Kona and the Crosstrek?
The most reported problem on the Kona is stalling (35% of its complaints). On the Crosstrek it is windshield problems (38% of its complaints), against 0.0% on the Kona.
More comparisons
- Subaru Forester vs Subaru Crosstrek2016 to 2021
- Subaru Outback vs Subaru Crosstrek2016 to 2024
- Subaru Crosstrek vs Honda HR-V2016 to 2024
- Ford Bronco Sport vs Subaru Crosstrek2021 to 2024