Buy Subaru Crosstrek Side View Mirrors

In this guide you'll find everything most readers will ever need to know about a Subaru Crosstrek side mirror-also called a door mirror, wing mirror, or side-view mirror. It covers mirror versions, model-year fitment, safety tech, installation, upkeep, laws, paint, vibration fixes, costs, recycling and more.

Overview

The side mirror helps you see cars, bikes, and people next to and behind your Crosstrek. Modern Crosstreks offer power adjustment, heating, built-in turn-signal lamps, blind-spot warning lights and even auto-folding on some trims. (Subaru XV Forum, Car and Driver)

Mirror Variants

• Manual-fold, power-adjust: Base trims 2013-2023 have motors but must be folded by hand. (Subaru Tech Info)
• Heated glass: Activates with the rear defroster to melt frost. Standard on most Premium, Sport, Limited and all Wilderness models since 2015. (MotorTrend)
• LED turn-signal repeaters: Added on Limited (2018-up) and optional on some Premium trims. (Car and Driver)
• Blind-Spot Detection (BSD) & Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Radar sensors in the rear quarters send a warning icon that lights up in the mirror. Introduced for 2016. (Subaru Media)
• Auto-dimming & approach lamp: Available accessory mirror dims bright headlights and projects a puddle light. (Subaru Tech Info)

Fitment Years

• 2013-2017 (1st gen): Shares mounting pattern across all trims.
• 2018-2023 (2nd gen): New shape and wiring; connectors differ for BSD and heat.
• 2024-2025 (3rd gen): Slightly taller housing; still bolts on with three studs but wiring harness pin-out changed for updated cameras.
  Always match year, trim and feature set before ordering a replacement. (MotorTrend, IIHS)

Key Features

• Power motors: Tilt up/down and left/right from a switch.
• Heat grid: Clears ice in under two minutes at 23 °F (-5 °C). (Car and Driver)
• Wide-angle glass: Driver side uses slight convex to widen view.
• Break-away hinge: Mirror folds on impact to limit damage.
• Color-cap: The outer shell is paint-to-match; black "textured" caps are common on base models.

Safety & Laws

U.S. cars must follow FMVSS 111, which sets mirror size, field of view and placement. (NHTSA) Driving with a missing driver-side mirror is illegal in most states; some allow the passenger mirror to be broken if the inside rear-view mirror is intact, but visibility is noticeably reduced. Proper aiming also matters: NHTSA suggests leaning your head against the window, then adjusting the mirror outward until only a sliver of your car is visible to erase blind spots. (NHTSA)

Technology Upgrades

Blind-spot warning reduces lane-change crashes and is being folded into federal safety ratings. NHTSA's 2024 NCAP roadmap adds BSD and blind-spot intervention as scored features. (NHTSA) The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety lists the 2024 Crosstrek as a TOP SAFETY PICK, in part because of strong side-impact protection and available driver-assist tech. (IIHS)

Common Problems

• Glass vibration at highway speeds: Loose clips or an under-torqued motor plate are common causes. Owners on Crosstrek forums report success by reseating the glass or having the dealer install a revised bracket. (Subaru XV Forum)
• Foggy heating element: If heat lines fail, replace the glass insert only; the housing can stay.
• Cracked cap: Caps are separate from the main shell and can be swapped after painting.

Installation Steps

1. Disconnect the battery if your mirror has BSD or turn-signal wiring.
2. Pop off the inner sail panel; pry with a trim tool.
3. Unplug the mirror harness.
4. Remove the three 10 mm nuts; support the mirror so it doesn't drop.
5. Fit the new mirror, tighten nuts to 7 ft-lb.
6. Reconnect wiring and test all functions before replacing trim.
   A clear walk-through for 2018+ cars is shown in this YouTube tutorial.

Adjustment Tips

Aim the mirror so a passing car moves from the side mirror to the inside mirror with no overlap. This "wide-set" method nearly erases blind spots and is backed by IIHS research showing blind zones can shrink by 70-99 percent when mirrors are set correctly. (IIHS)

Paint & Finish

Your paint code is printed on the passenger-side door-jamb label (three-character code such as PAF for Cool Gray Khaki). (NASIOC) Caps arrive primed; use plastic adhesion promoter, base-coat, then clear-coat for best match.

Cost Factors

Price rises with added tech: heat adds about 15 %, blind-spot radar another 35 - 50 %, and color-matched caps 10 %. Labor is typically 0.6-1.0 hour. (MotorTrend)

Environmental Impact

Side-mirror housings are mostly ABS plastic; glass and metals can be recovered. The EPA notes that reusable parts and separated materials reduce landfill waste when an end-of-life car is processed. (US EPA) Check local recycling centers; mirrors are usually accepted with "mixed glass" if the plastic frame is removed.

Maintenance

• Wash glass with car-wash soap, not household glass cleaner (which can stain the anti-fog coating).
• Lubricate the folding hinge yearly with silicone spray.
• Keep radar sensor covers free of mud or ice for reliable BSD alerts. (Consumer Reports)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I tell if my Crosstrek has heated mirrors?
A: If the rear-window defroster button shows a mirror icon or if you see fine lines on the glass, the mirrors are heated. (Car and Driver)

Q: Do I need to recalibrate anything after changing a BSD mirror?
A: No calibration is required; the radar module in the rear quarter panel stays untouched. Just make sure you transfer the wiring correctly. (Subaru Media)

Q: Will a 2023 mirror fit a 2025 model?
A: No. The 2024-25 third-generation Crosstrek uses a different wiring plug and slightly larger housing. (MotorTrend)

Q: Is it legal to drive with a broken passenger-side mirror?
A: Many U.S. states allow it only if the inside rear-view mirror meets visibility rules, but your view and safety are reduced. Check your local code. (NHTSA)

Q: My mirror shakes over 50 mph-how do I fix it?
A: Remove the glass and reseat the plastic clips, then retighten the three mounting nuts. Owners report this stops most vibration. (Subaru XV Forum)

Q: Where can I find my paint code?
A: Look on the VIN label inside the passenger-side door jamb; it's a three-character code. (NASIOC)

Q: Can I swap a manual-fold mirror for an auto-fold one?
A: Only trims pre-wired for the fold motor (Limited and select Sport) will support the switch; others lack the control module. (Subaru XV Forum)

Q: Does replacing a side mirror affect EyeSight cameras?
A: No. EyeSight cameras sit at the top of the windshield and are unrelated to door mirrors.

Q: What tools do I need for removal?
A: Plastic trim tool, 10 mm socket with extension, and a small flat screwdriver for the harness clip. (YouTube)

Q: How long does a DIY swap take?
A: Plan on 20 minutes for your first time and 10 minutes for later attempts.

Q: Will a cracked mirror pass inspection?
A: Any crack that distorts the view can fail a state inspection, even if the glass stays in place. Replace it to be safe. (NHTSA)

Q: Can I paint a textured black cap?
A: Yes, but sand lightly, apply plastic adhesion promoter, then primer before color.

Q: How do I clean salt off the mirror in winter?
A: Rinse with warm water, then wipe with microfiber and mild soap; avoid abrasive pads that can scratch the glass or cap.

Q: Are side mirrors covered under my bumper-to-bumper warranty?
A: Most new-vehicle warranties cover manufacturing defects for 3 years/36 k miles, but not road damage. Check your booklet. (Subaru Tech Info)

Q: Can I replace just the glass?
A: Yes. Heated or non-heated glass snaps onto the carrier plate and is sold separately, saving cost if the housing is intact.