Compact SUVs · 4 model years, 2016 to 2024
Subaru Crosstrek vs Honda HR-V: problems and reliability
On the 7 measures below that do not grow with sales, the Crosstrek looks better on 3 and the HR-V on 1, with 3 too close to call.
Newest report Sep 22, 2026 · checked Sep 27, 2026
Scorecard
| Measure, 2016 to 2024 | Crosstrek | HR-V |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints that report a crash | 4.1% | 6.9% |
| Complaints that report a fire | 1.2% | 0.4% |
| Complaints that report an injury | 1.2% | 3.7% |
| Median miles when problems are reported | 18,000 | 45,000 |
| Recall campaigns per model year | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Do-not-drive recalls | 0 | 0 |
| NHTSA investigations | 0 | 2 |
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 Crosstrek owners complain about most is windshield and wipers; for the HR-V it is electrical. Complaints citing windshield and wipers make up 27% of all Crosstrek complaints, against 3.1% on the HR-V. The HR-V leans the other way on electrical: 25% of its complaints, against 18% for the Crosstrek.
Subaru CrosstrekHonda HR-V
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 Crosstrek is windshield problems (29% of its complaints). On the HR-V it is infotainment problems (10% of its complaints), against 7.3% on the Crosstrek.
| Problem | Crosstrek | HR-V |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield cracks or distorts | 29% 212most in 2019 · 15k mi | 3.8% 28 |
| Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails | 7.3% 5315k mi | 10% 76most in 2019 · 45k mi |
| Engine stalls or loses power while driving | 8.2% 60most in 2019 · 17k mi | 8.4% 6250k mi |
| Brakes grind, pulse or wear early | 2.9% 2123k mi | 9.6% 71most in 2016 · 15k mi |
| Battery dies or the car will not start | 5.9% 43most in 2019 · 19k mi | 2.8% 2149k mi |
| Multiple warning lights come on at once | 3.3% 2423k mi | 3.4% 2580k mi |
| Check engine light or misfire | 1.9% 14 | 2.8% 2150k mi |
| Transmission fails or needs replacement | 0 | 4.3% 32most in 2016 · 78k mi |
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 18,000 miles; for the HR-V the halfway point is 45,000. 85% of Crosstrek reports and 52% of HR-V 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.
Subaru CrosstrekHonda HR-V
Share of the complaints that state a mileage: 403 for the Crosstrek and 265 for the HR-V.
Worst and best years
The 2024 Crosstrek draws 4.0 times the complaints of a typical Crosstrek year for its age. The 2023 HR-V draws 9.7 times the complaints of a typical HR-V year for its age.
Subaru CrosstrekHonda HR-V
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 two draw recalls at about the same rate: 3.0 campaigns per model year for the Crosstrek and 3.0 for the HR-V. A recall counts once however many cars it covers, so this figure does not grow with sales the way complaint totals do.
Subaru Crosstrek
12 recall campaigns and 0 NHTSA investigations across these model years. Most recalled: electrical (3), engine and engine cooling (2) and exterior lighting (1).
- 21V-263 (suspension) covers 2 model years
- 21V-264 (electrical) covers 2 model years
Honda HR-V
12 recall campaigns and 2 NHTSA investigations across these model years. Most recalled: fuel system (3), backup camera (2) and seats (2).
- 18V-777 (service brakes, hydraulic) covers 3 model years
- 20V-314 (fuel system) covers 2 model years
Investigations
- RQ24006: Front seat belt assemblies may be missing the rivet that secures the quick connector and wire plate (closed)
- PE22011: Rear differential seizure (closed)
Whether a particular car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Crashes, fires and injuries
A larger share of HR-V complaints report a crash: 6.9%, against 4.1% for the Crosstrek. Fire reports: 9 for the Crosstrek and 3 for the HR-V.
Subaru CrosstrekHonda HR-V
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 Subaru Crosstrek or the Honda HR-V more reliable?
On the 7 measures below that do not grow with sales, the Crosstrek looks better on 3 and the HR-V on 1, with 3 too close to call. NHTSA complaint totals cannot settle it alone: the Crosstrek has 730 complaints and the HR-V 738 for the 4 model years from 2016 to 2024 that both have on file, and those totals follow how many of each were sold.
Which has more recalls, the Crosstrek or the HR-V?
The Crosstrek has 12 recall campaigns and the HR-V 12 across the 4 model years from 2016 to 2024 that both have on file. The two draw recalls at about the same rate: 3.0 campaigns per model year for the Crosstrek and 3.0 for the HR-V.
What are the most common problems on the Crosstrek and the HR-V?
The most reported problem on the Crosstrek is windshield problems (29% of its complaints). On the HR-V it is infotainment problems (10% of its complaints), against 7.3% on the Crosstrek.
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