The redesign year, and the ignition-coil stall came back on some cars after the first recall — so confirm the second campaign was done, not just the first.

Recall 19V744, Subaru code WUP-01, covers an aluminium PCV valve — the Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve, which vents pressure out of the engine's crankcase — that can come apart. When it does, the broken pieces go into the engine and the car loses power while driving. The remedy is a free inspection and replacement, but the important clause is the next one: if the valve has already separated and the pieces cannot be found, Subaru replaces the engine free. Scope is 2017 to 2018 Imprezas and 2018 Crosstreks. This is the single most valuable recall to have closed on this car, so confirm it by VIN and, if it shows open, get it done before the coverage question ever arises.

A short, specific recall unique to this model year. Recall 17V701, Subaru code WTR-77, covers 2018 Crosstreks built with the wrong floor-mat retention bracket, which lets the driver's mat slide out of position and foul the accelerator or brake pedal. Dealers inspect the bracket and replace it free. It began in November 2017, so most cars have had it, but it is worth confirming — and worth a thirty-second physical check regardless: lift the driver's mat and make sure it is properly hooked onto its retainers rather than sitting loose on the carpet.

One of the largest clusters in the file. Owners report the battery going flat when the car sits for two or three days, and going through three and four batteries. One reports it at 16,400 miles on the original and two aftermarket batteries; another had it start immediately after the dealer replaced the radio. Subaru's bulletin file for this year holds diagnostic procedures for dark-current draw on cars with the first-generation Data Control Module, plus a warranty extension on the telematics module covering 2016 to 2018 cars — though the summary does not state the years-and-miles terms, so have the dealer confirm eligibility by VIN. A used-buyers guide adds the practical framing: these symptoms usually surface at two to four years and are commonly a weak or dying factory battery finally exposing the drain. Separately, one owner cites Subaru bulletin 07-198-21 for a failed starter clutch at 35,750 miles.

Recall 21V263, Subaru code WRD-21, covers 2018 and 2019 Crosstreks (plus the 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid and 2019 Forester) whose rear stabilizer bracket bolts can loosen and fall out. With bolts missing the bracket shifts, which changes how the back of the car behaves in a corner. Dealers retorque the bolts and replace any that are missing, free. Letters went out in May 2021. Confirm by VIN.

Two smaller 2018-specific threads worth knowing. The head unit is the weakest of the second generation: a used-buyers guide lists static from the front dash speaker with the car off, the screen going blank on an incoming call, random crashes at startup, washed-out colours, dropping Bluetooth and random reboots, and notes several dealer visits were often needed. Subaru's infotainment warranty extension to 8 years/150,000 miles begins at the 2019 model year, so it does not help here; a separate class action over the earlier Harman head units was announced for 2018 cars. And a second-generation problem review scopes an oil-control valve in Subaru's AVCS variable valve timing to 2018 cars specifically, where oil seeps into the wiring connector and lights the check-engine lamp with AVCS fault codes; an updated valve fixes it. Neither is a safety matter — both are worth using as price leverage.