SubaruCrosstrek2023Overview/subaru/crosstrek/2023/base/

2023 Subaru Crosstrek

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2023 Crosstrek.

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is a compact crossover SUV that utilizes a horizontally opposed four-cylinder powertrain requiring 4.4 quarts of 0W-20 viscosity engine oil for service fills. In terms of factory-backed quality assurance, the 2023 model year recorded zero safety recalls and accumulated only 32 owner complaints, positioning it among the most problem-free iterations in the model's production history spanning from 2012 forward. This stands in notable contrast to the Crosstrek's peak complaint volume of 280 incidents reported in 2019, suggesting that the 2023 model benefits from refinements implemented over intervening model years—the negligible complaint tally and absence of recalls together indicate a vehicle that has settled into a relatively mature and reliable specification within its generation cycle.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

Tire size225/55R18 98HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

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

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
2024Limited 2.5L F-47.90 sec16.10 sec182 hpAWD
2024Limited 2.5L F-48.00 sec16.20 sec182 hpAWD
2024Limited 2.5L F-48.10 sec16.30 sec182 hpAWD
2024Wilderness 2.5L F-48.30 sec16.40 sec182 hpAWD
2024Wilderness 2.5L F-48.60 sec16.70 sec182 hpAWD
2024Wilderness 2.5L F-48.60 sec16.60 sec182 hpAWD
2024Premium 2.0L F-49.10 sec17.00 sec152 hpAWD
2024Premium 2.0L F-49.50 sec17.40 sec152 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, GL-5 · 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 · SAE J1703 · DOT 4 · SAE J1704 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3 · SAE J1703 · DOT 4 · SAE J1704
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-90
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-90
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-90
Engine CoolantSubaru Super Coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity8.8 qt
Engine CoolantSubaru Super Coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity8.2 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)4.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)4.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.3 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)Use new gasket: 11.8 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)15.5 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)17.7 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)15.5 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugUse new gaskets: 40.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugUse new gaskets: 40.0 ft-lbs
Differential Fill PlugUse new gaskets: 40.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugUse new gaskets: 40.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts89.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug TypeDILKAR7B8
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031" in
Spark Plug Torque13.3 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug TypeDILKAR7Q8
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031" in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.68-1.80 lbs
Oil TypeND-Oil 11
Oil Capacity6.76 oz
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.04-1.16 lbs
Oil TypeND-Oil 12
Oil Capacity2.37 oz

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.059" in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs. Step 2: 18.47.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 16.27.4 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Apply clean engine oil to the crank pulley bolt, seat and threads. Step 270.1 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Apply clean engine oil to the crank pulley bolt, seat and threads. Step 270.1 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.1 ft. lbs., Step 2: Use an angle gauge to 30-35°22.1 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Use Liquid Gasket 3-Bond and install oil pan. Step 24.7 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 6,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 6,000 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 Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine 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) · Fuel Line (inspect)
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 2023 Subaru Crosstrek sits near the bottom of the model's federal complaint and recall curve, with 32 complaints and zero recalls recorded by NHTSA. This follows the generation's clear peak in 2018-2019, when complaints reached 194 and 280 respectively and recalls hit 5 and 7, then declined sharply through 2022. Compared with the immediately surrounding years, 2023's 32 complaints are slightly above 2022's 29 but well below 2024's 107 complaints and 2 recalls, placing it in a brief low-activity window before complaints rose again. The leading owner-reported complaint categories for 2023 were "Unknown Or Other" (7), "Visibility/Wiper" (4), and "Engine" (3), with 4 crash-related complaints and no fire complaints; the data does not specify root causes. Given its low complaint volume, zero recalls, and position after the generation's worst years but before the 2024 rebound, the 2023 Crosstrek appears to be a relatively low-risk used-buy among this generation.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
186
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
32
Owner complaints
4 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 32 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other7
Visibility/Wiper4
Engine3
Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper2
Electrical System,Back Over Prevention,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1
Service Brakes1
Forward Collision Avoidance1

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 186 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…
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…
18-241-262026-05-28Power TrainThis Bulletin announces a correction to the diagnostic procedures for certain CVT related…

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

How much oil does the 2023 Crosstrek take?

4.4 qt of 0W-20 Synthetic SP, SN or SN+ Resource Conserving ILSAC GF-5 or GF-6A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2023 Crosstrek have open recalls?

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