2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek — Cabin Air Filter Replacement

Open and empty the glovebox

Park the Crosstrek, set the parking brake, and turn the ignition off. Open the passenger-side glovebox and remove everything inside, because the entire glovebox assembly has to drop down and swing free to expose the cabin filter housing behind it. An empty glovebox also keeps items from falling into the HVAC intake cavity while the filter is out. Completion looks like a clear, empty glovebox with nothing loose that could snag or fall.

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Detach the glovebox dampener arm

Look at the right side of the open glovebox door and find the small plastic dampener arm that slows the door as it opens. Gently pop the arm off its mounting post by sliding it sideways; on this 1st-gen Crosstrek it is a simple snap-on joint, not a bolt. Set the arm aside where it will not get stepped on. The glovebox will now swing freely instead of being damped.

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Squeeze the glovebox sides to release it

Press inward on both side walls of the glovebox so the plastic stoppers clear the dashboard opening. Slowly lower the glovebox door until it hangs down past its normal open position, fully revealing the filter housing cover in the cavity behind it. Be gentle, because cold or aged plastic stops can crack if forced. You are done when the filter housing and its side tabs are fully visible.

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Remove the filter housing cover

Pinch the two retaining tabs on the sides of the rectangular filter housing cover and pull the cover straight out toward you. The cover unclips without tools, and behind it you will see the pleated cabin air filter seated in its tray. Keep the cover in the passenger footwell so its clips are not damaged. Completion is a clean, unobstructed view of the old filter.

Pull out the old filter

Grip the old cabin air filter by its edges and slide it straight out of the housing. Take note of which way the airflow arrow printed on its frame points, because the new filter must go in the same way. Inspect the dirty filter and vacuum loose leaves, pine needles, or rodent debris from the empty housing tray before installing the new one. The tray should be visibly clean before you continue.

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Install the new filter with the arrow up

Slide the new 2013-2017 Crosstrek cabin air filter (OE 72880FG000) into the tray until it seats fully on both side rails. The blower motor sits below this filter and pulls air downward through it, so the printed UP arrow, or the airflow arrow, must point upward on this vehicle. Push it in evenly so the pleats are not folded or crushed, which would create an unfiltered gap at the edges. The filter is seated when its frame is flush with the tray and slides no further.

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Reinstall the housing cover and glovebox

Snap the filter housing cover back onto the tray until both side tabs click, confirming it is sealed against the filter frame. Lift the glovebox back up, guiding the bottom hinges into their slots in the dash. Squeeze the glovebox sides inward again so the stoppers pass the dash opening, then let the door rest in its normal position.

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Reattach the dampener arm and test

Snap the dampener arm back onto its mounting post on the right side of the glovebox door. Open and close the glovebox a few times to confirm it swings smoothly with damping restored and does not drop abruptly. Start the engine, run the HVAC fan on high through each vent mode, and confirm airflow feels strong and no rattling comes from behind the glovebox. Put your belongings back in the glovebox and close it.

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