SubaruCrosstrek2020Overview/subaru/crosstrek/2020/base/

2020 Subaru Crosstrek

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Crosstrek.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S8)

The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek is a compact crossover equipped with Subaru’s AV‑S8 automatic transmission and achieves an EPA‑rated 27 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and a combined 30 mpg. Across the model’s 2012‑2026 span, owner feedback for the 2020 year registers a modest 68 total complaints, with visibility and wiper issues emerging as the most frequent concern, while the vehicle has recorded zero recalls. Compared with the peak of 280 complaints in 2019 and the low of just two in 2012, the 2020 Crosstrek sits toward the lower‑middle of the reliability curve, indicating a generally steady record for researchers examining this generation.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy27/33/30 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 390 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 390 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/60R17 98HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height63.8 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3190 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined27 / 33 / 30 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Crosstrek of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.5–10.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.50 sec — 2021 Limited
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019Plug-In Hybrid 2.0L F-4 + Elec 8.8-kWh8.30 sec16.60 sec148 hpAWD
2019Plug-In Hybrid 2.0L F-4 + Elec 8.8-kWh8.30 sec16.50 sec148 hpAWD
2019Plug-In Hybrid 2.0L F-4 + Elec 8.8-kWh8.50 sec16.60 sec148 hpAWD
2021Limited 2.5L F-47.50 sec16.00 sec182 hpAWD
2021Limited 2.5L F-47.80 sec15.90 sec182 hpAWD
2021Sport 2.5L F-47.80 sec16.00 sec182 hpAWD
20182.0i Premier 2.0L F-48.80 sec16.70 sec152 hpAWD
20182.0i Limited 2.0L F-49.00 sec16.90 sec152 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 31.0 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.04-1.16 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance390 cca

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque20.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 99.6 ft-lbs; Rear: 81.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque20.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 99.6 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 8.66; Rear: .335
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 6.732

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 16.089 in
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
159.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60°±5°59 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30-35°22 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inside Bolts 1-1026 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Clutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2020 Crosstrek recorded 68 complaints and zero recalls, a sharp decline from the 2019 peak of 280 complaints and 7 recalls, and lower than the 2018 model's 194 complaints and 5 recalls. This places the 2020 model year after the generation's complaint and recall peak, with TSBs also dropping to 386 from 518 in 2019. The most common complaint area is Visibility/Wiper at 29, but the data does not specify a root cause. With no fire complaints and only 6 crash-related complaints, the 2020 Crosstrek shows a marked improvement in reported issues. This is a good year to buy within the generation, as it avoids the elevated problem rates of earlier years.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
386
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
68
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 68 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper29
Power Train7
Unknown Or Other6
Electrical System5
Visibility4
Seat Belts2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Power Train,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 386 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-81-21R2026-06-24Fuel/Propulsion SystemThis bulletin announces design changes made to the fuel injector and fuel pipe in…
16-159-262026-06-22Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in…
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Crosstrek. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2020 Crosstrek have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Crosstrek get?

EPA figures are 27 city / 33 highway / 30 combined mpg.