How often should a Subaru Crosstrek be serviced?
For most Crosstrek models, routine maintenance is recommended every 6,000 miles or every six months for basic items like oil changes and tire rotations, with more extensive servicing at longer intervals (roughly 30,000, 60,000, and 100,000 miles, depending on model year). Always follow the exact schedule printed in your owner's manual for your specific vehicle.
In this article, we break down the standard cadence, what gets done at common mileages, and how driving conditions can affect timing. We also point you to the official guidance so you can confirm the schedule for your Crosstrek’s year and trim.
General maintenance cadence
The following overview outlines the routine services you can expect at the base interval, with notes on what may be adjusted by model year or driving conditions.
- Oil and filter changes every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first.
- Tire rotation every 6,000 miles or 6 months to promote even wear.
- Brake system inspection at each routine visit and brake-fluid checks at regular intervals noted by the manual.
- Overall multi-point inspection of major systems (engine, transmission, suspension, cooling) during routine service visits.
The routine cadence above helps maintain engine health, braking performance, and overall reliability across most Crosstrek models.
Major service milestones
Beyond routine oil changes and rotations, Subaru recommends more comprehensive maintenance at longer mileages. Exact tasks can vary by model year, so consult your manual or dealer for your specific schedule.
- At roughly 30,000 miles: a more thorough check of major systems, with potential filter replacements and fluid top-offs as indicated by the manual.
- About every 60,000 miles: more extensive service, including checks or replacements of critical fluids (such as coolant and CVT fluid where applicable), and components that wear over time (spark plugs, belts/pulleys where indicated by year).
- Around 100,000 miles: a major service that commonly includes coolant replacement, CVT/transmission service, spark plug replacement, and comprehensive fluid checks; some components may reach end-of-life and require replacement.
Remember, the exact items and timing depend on your Crosstrek’s model year, driving conditions, and the maintenance philosophy adopted by your dealership. Always verify with the official schedule for your specific vehicle.
Special considerations: driving conditions and model-year differences
Subaru identifies certain “severe service” conditions—such as frequent short trips, dusty or extreme environments, very cold or hot climates, towing, or heavy city driving—that can justify more frequent maintenance. In these cases, oil changes and inspections may occur more often than the standard cadence. The Crosstrek’s CVT-equipped variants also have fluid service recommendations that can vary by year and transmission design.
Where to find the official schedule
The most reliable source is your Crosstrek’s owner’s manual or the official Subaru MySubaru portal. If you don’t have the manual handy, you can ask a Subaru dealer or check the manufacturer’s website for your model-year maintenance schedule. Instrument cluster reminders can also help indicate when service is due.
Conclusion: Following the factory maintenance schedule helps preserve reliability, warranty coverage, and resale value. If you notice unusual signs—leaks, warning lights, odd noises—or you drive under severe conditions, schedule service sooner rather than later to prevent problems.
Summary
In short, a Subaru Crosstrek is typically serviced every 6,000 miles or 6 months for routine maintenance, with major services at longer milestones such as around 30,000, 60,000, and 100,000 miles. Model year, driving conditions, and warranty terms can affect exact timing, so always refer to the owner’s manual or a Subaru dealer for your specific car. Regular maintenance supports longevity, performance, and peace of mind.
How often should I get my Subaru Crosstrek serviced?
The Subaru Crosstrek requires a regular maintenance schedule every 6 months or 6,000 miles for basic services like oil and filter changes and tire rotation. A more comprehensive service is needed every 12 months or 12,000 miles, which includes the 6,000-mile services plus inspections of the brakes, steering, suspension, and other systems, and replacing the cabin air filter. More intensive services, such as replacing spark plugs or the timing belt, are required at higher mileage intervals like 60,000 miles.
Every 6 months or 6,000 miles
- Replace engine oil and filter
- Rotate and inspect tires
- For severe driving conditions, the oil and filter should be changed every 3 months or 3,000 miles
Every 12 months or 12,000 miles
- Perform all services from the 6,000-mile interval
- Replace cabin air filter
- Inspect brake systems (lines, parking, service brakes)
- Inspect steering and suspension systems
- Inspect axle components (pads, rotors, boots, joints)
- Inspect clutch (for manual transmission models)
Other key service intervals
- Every 15,000-30,000 miles: Replace engine air filter
- Every 30,000 miles: Inspect engine coolant system
- Every 60,000 miles: Replace spark plugs; inspect wheel bearings
- Every 105,000 miles: Inspect or replace the timing belt (depending on model year)
- Every 137,500 miles: Replace engine coolant
Why is Subaru discontinuing the Crosstrek?
Subaru is not discontinuing the Crosstrek model line entirely, but the Crosstrek Hybrid (PHEV) was discontinued in the U.S. due to slow sales and Subaru's strategic shift toward new hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) platforms that will be shared with Toyota. Subaru is still producing the standard Crosstrek and is developing new hybrid and EV models based on its new Global Platform, which will offer a new hybrid system for the Crosstrek in the future. The discontinuation of the manual transmission option was also driven by declining demand.
This video discusses the reasons behind the discontinuation of the Crosstrek Hybrid and Subaru's future plans for electrification: 46sAlex PrestigiacomoYouTube · Jun 9, 2025
- Hybrid model discontinued: The Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid was dropped after a short run in the U.S. because it only accounted for a small percentage of total sales.
- Strategic shift to new platforms: Subaru is focusing on developing new hybrid and EV models using its new Global Platform, which is designed to accommodate these powertrains. The company is working with Toyota on future EV platforms to improve profitability and innovation.
- Manual transmission phased out: The manual transmission option was discontinued due to declining sales, as a small percentage of buyers opted for it compared to automatic transmissions.
- Standard Crosstrek remains available: The gasoline-powered Crosstrek continues to be a popular and available model.
- Future hybrid return: Subaru has stated that it will launch a new hybrid Crosstrek in the future, likely with a new hybrid system and on the new Global Platform.
This video explains the changes coming to the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek, including updates to the powertrain options: 55sAlex PrestigiacomoYouTube · Nov 4, 2024
How much does it cost to service a Subaru Crosstrek?
Capped Price Servicing Costs
| Scheduled Service Intervals1 | Crosstrek AWD 2.0L, Crosstrek AWD 2.0X, Crosstrek AWD 2.0R, Crosstrek AWD 2.0S CVT, Crosstrek AWD Hybrid L and Crosstrek AWD Hybrid S MHEV2 |
|---|---|
| 'A' Service 15,000kms or 12 months | $346.25 |
| 'B' Service 30,000kms or 24 months | $473.47 |
| 'C' Service 45,000kms or 36 months | $420.60 |
What year to stay away from a Subaru Crosstrek?
Years to potentially avoid for the Subaru Crosstrek include the 2016 and 2018 models due to issues like drivetrain vibrations, infotainment problems, and oil consumption. The early years of the first generation, specifically 2013-2015, should also be approached with caution due to common issues like oil consumption and head gasket problems with the 2.5-liter engine.
Years with more reported issues
- 2016: Has been associated with drivetrain vibrations and faulty infotainment systems.
- 2018: This model year is known for excessive oil consumption, glitchy technology, and a serious safety concern regarding the rear wheels kicking out, causing fishtailing.
- 2013-2015: These early models, particularly with the 2.5L engine, are prone to head gasket problems and excessive oil consumption. The 2012 Impreza shared this generation and also had issues with its CVT and oil consumption.
Other years to consider
- 2017: Generally considered a safer bet with fewer reported issues and recalls.
- 2019: While some sources suggest avoiding it due to numerous recalls and a significant number of complaints related to the ECM software causing unexpected engine stalls, other owners have reported it as reliable.
- 2021: This model year has received positive marks for reliability.
- 2023: This year is often recommended as one of the better choices in the second generation.
