Subaru XV CrossTrek Complaints (2013)

98 consumer complaints on file.

#11768691October 3, 2026
POWER TRAIN
On [XXX], while driving on public roads in West Allis, Wisconsin, the vehicle's dashboard warning lights began flashing and the transmission stopped shifting. The vehicle became stuck in a low/first-gear-type condition and would not drive normally. This was a sudden loss of normal motive power during operation. The driver was stranded roadside and ultimately walked approximately 3.5 miles home. The vehicle was towed to Werks Autosport in Muskego, Wisconsin. Their written diagnosis documents fault code P0730 (incorrect gear ratio). Scan-tool live data showed the actual gear ratio outside the specified range, and the applicable diagnostic flow chart calls for replacement of the transmission. The failure has not been repaired. Relevant history: approximately two days before this failure, the selling dealer completed transmission valve-body/solenoid work on this vehicle. We were told that this work included replacement of a failed aftermarket solenoid with an OEM Subaru valve body; however, the dealer has produced no repair records documenting the work performed. The transmission failure occurred after only 97 miles of driving following that repair. The vehicle remains unrepaired and available for inspection. This complaint is limited to the safety defect—sudden transmission failure/loss of motive power while driving. A related dealer dispute concerning representations at sale and undocumented repair work is being pursued separately with the Wisconsin DOT Dealer & Agent Section and Wisconsin DATCP and is not part of this safety report. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765696September 20, 2026
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
Nuna RAVA convertible car seat, model CS05107RFD, manufactured 10/15/2021, purchased Jan 2022. Harness failure after completing the remedy for Recall 24C-002. Both of my seats had never shown any harness problem before the recall notice. In 2025, I received the remedy kit for both and followed the instructions to clean the harness adjuster and replace the seat pads. The seats worked normally until May 13, 2026, when the harness on one would not lock and the straps would not stay tight. The failed component was the front harness adjuster. I noticed the failure while removing my child after a drive. The harness was loose even though I had tightened it at the start of the drive, and it would not lock when I tightened it again. I recorded a video right after removing my child and the seat from the car. A harness that loosens during a drive cannot properly restrain a child in a crash. No crash occurred and my child was not injured. No one has inspected the seat. I still have the seat and video and can make both available. The harness appears to be working again when I just checked (September 2026). It’s been sitting in our office, unused, since May. I removed the other Nuna Rava seat from our other car in May after the failure, though it worked normally, and bought two seats from a different brand. I believe the remedy did not adequately fix the original problem. I performed it as directed and the harness still failed. I ask NHTSA to review whether the remedy is adequate and consider expanding the recall to include a replacement or refund for all seats under the original recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11730251April 9, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have been working with Subaru of America and Capital Subaru service in San Jose, CA for a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek XV 2.0 CVT automatic engine shortly after we bought it used for multiple faulty known engine problems with this specific make and model. Since we have owned the vehicle, we have not been able to drive it for more than 2 months short distance at a time due to engine, Valve body, major low oil pressure problems, and multiple sensor issues. This vehicle has been very dangerous for us to drive and has left us stranded not to mention paying the bank we financed payments to for a car we have been unable to use since purchasing. Subaru of America and Capital Subaru in San Jose have been awful, insensitive, and unhuman to our concerns and needs. We had to call them several times and were repeatedly ignore both parties for several days without any answers or any solutions. We have spent many sleepless nights worrying about not having a vehicle to get to work and my daughter who drove the car when she could in Nursing school with the burden of having no transportation and all the stress and worrying. There is a long history of defected engines because of the poor way these were built for our specific year, and we were told repeatedly that it was the lack of maintenance from the previous owner being the cause of the issues when that in fact is a lie as we have several maintenance records routinely. I will never buy or recommend these defected and lemon cars again especially when it involves the safety of your life! Having to tow to and from our home to the dealership service parts was a big waste of time and a joke just to hear, "We are sorry but nothing is covered and your liable for the diagnostic and fixing for your car that will be $5,800 which our car was only worth $5,600 through Kelly blue book and we still owe a remainder of $9,000 to the financing bank.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11730297April 9, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When the car is put in park the key will not come out of the ignition. Sometimes to be removed from ignition. Therefore the key will get stuck. The transmission has to be put back in drive and then back into park for the ignition system to recycle and release the key.sometimes it takes about 2 or 3 times to get the key out. I have had to turn the car on put it in drive then park push the lock switch then turn the car off. I have been told that Subaru knows the problem exists. No recalls have been made.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723030March 9, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Within 10 days of purchasing this vehicle a certified Subaru dealership documented the following safety defects. Both front CV axles failing and clicking on turns creating loss of vehicle control risk. EPS electronic power steering fault codes creating safety critical steering concern. CAN bus communication fault U0073 affecting multiple vehicle safety systems simultaneously. CVT transmission fluid critically low at 1 to 2 quarts. These defects were professionally documented by Subaru of Portland certified technicians on [XXX] at 113,494 miles. Repair quote for safety related defects totals $7,516.51. Vehicle was sold by Overland Automotive LLC 2900 SE Cornelius Pass Rd Ste 105 Hillsboro OR 97123 with these defects undisclosed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705923December 18, 2025
AIR BAGS
I was t-boned on 11/7 on the driver side door of the car. My car is totaled and the airbags, knee and curtain did not deploy and I was hit almost dead on on the B pillar. Unknown if the problem has been reproduced by the dealer.My knee is still hurting from the accident and my head smacked the frame.The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, but has by police, insurance, and others. All said the airbags should have deployed. There were no warning lights or otherwise to notify me that the airbags would not work.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11684352September 1, 2025
ENGINE
The engine stalled unexpectedly during operation. I noticed a sudden loss of power, and the vehicle shut off without warning. This has happened more than once, posing a safety concern.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664303June 2, 2025
ENGINE
THE ENGIN MALFUNCTIONED. MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS WAS AT RISK BECAUSE WHEN AN ENGIN FAILS WHILE DRIVING IT CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS CRASH. THE VALVE SPRING WHICH IS LOCATED INSIDE THE ENGIN OF THE VEHICLE DID FRACTURE WHICH RESULTED IN THE ENGIN STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. AN ENGIN STALL WHILE DRIVING WILL INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS, THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY A SUBARU DEALER SERVICE MANAGER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11638232January 24, 2025
AIR BAGS
The dashboard light says that the airbag is OFF, while it is occupied by a large teenager (over 100lbs) in the Right Front passenger seat. Teenager was buckled into moving vehicle when this concern was observed. Front Right passenger airbag has never been deactivated by owner/driver. Took car to be inspected at a Subaru dealer on 13Aug24, but Subaru techs unable to replicate problem at time of visit and reported no known recall notice for this problem. Since inspection, problem has reoccurred randomly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632206December 23, 2024
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The fan in my car, that controls the heat/air-conditioning, went out causing my windows to fog up since it was raining & I couldn't use the dehumidifier. I couldn't see & had to manually wipe my windshield several times & drive with my hazard lights on in order to get the car home. There were no warning lights on the dashboard. I took the car to a mechanic shop on another day, when they could not find the problem through a diagnostic the mechanic took apart the dashboard & that's when he found the wires connected to the control panel were melting/overheating. He said it was very dangerous because it could cause the car to catch fire. He said he had to leave the wires disconnected to prevent the car catching fire until the wires and control panel could be replaced. When I looked up if others were having the same problem, I found other Subaru Crosstrek owners with the same issue and many of them stated it happened again after replacing the affected parts. The control panel is not a wear-and-tear part so I was told I would have to get it from a Subaru dealership. I have not been able to take it to a Subaru dealership yet due to the weather but the car is available for inspection upon request. It has not been inspected yet by anyone besides my mechanic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629691December 9, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES
At various times of day or night, the brake lights turn on, while there is no one in the vehicle. The vehicle sits parked and is locked with the security on, and the lights just randomly turn on by themselves. The only way to turn the lights off is to go into the vehicle and step on the brake and then the lights are off after releasing the brake pedal. If the lights stay on, because it’s not noticed, then the battery drains and then needs to be jumped. It is concerning for vehicles traveling behind, because one wouldn’t know if there is an issue happening while traveling and could cause someone to be rear ended.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625488November 15, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A piece of the sunroof assembly punctured through the headliner into the passenger seat area of the vehicle. The piece is a sharp 10 inch spike with a spring wrapped around it. Had the piece come into the driver side or if there had been a passenger. It would have gone into there head, either causing an accident or severe injury to the driver or passenger.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11620686October 18, 2024
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The recall Type: Safety Service Campaign:WTY84 NHTSA Campaign: 18V772000 FB20 Valve Spring Replacement was reported completed by the manufacturer Subaru has no record of it being done. My car is now experiencing symptoms of this recall when I had no issues prior and want me to pay to look into the problem further. Now my vehicle has a check engine light for a recall that was potentially not done as I have no proof that it was completed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11617167September 30, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The key will not come out of the ignition when turned off and in park. The battery runs with no way to turn it off. This is a known issue with a defective part. Subaru will not cover the repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11611473August 28, 2024
ENGINE
2.0L Engine Valve Spring Fracture may Cause Engine stall and excessive oil leaks that migrates in the catalytic converter causing fumes that linger inside the car with a very strong smell.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11600188July 8, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical harness to the variable fan speed switch overheated melting the harness and switch.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11544835September 15, 2023
EQUIPMENT
For the record I'm going to list the items here I'd rather them go down in writing then for my words to not have a witness. 1- safety : the Bluetooth connection is busted and crackling for both me and the caller 2- Automation: nothing happens automatic in this car the locks do not go down when I get in motion . the sunroof and the windows do not roll up in auxiliary power after the key is off. 3- Oil: every thousand Miles the oil light to show up I cannot live like that carrying oil in my car when I run a thousand miles every 3 weeks. 4- DENT REPAIR : have asked you to schedule the date guy to pull this dent out of the front driver wheel well and that hasn't happened yet 5- locking mechanism: the trunk has to be slammed closed every time. The passenger side seat belt noise comes on even if I put a bag of to go food in the seat. 6- sanitation: these seats are infected with something I have cleaned them multiple times and my passengers are complaining of itching and feeling a bite when they ride. 7- the front passenger seat has obviously some strong stain that resembles body fluid because it will not come up even when i clean up in the seat of the cushion it keeps reappearing to the surface. 8- overhead: when it rains above my head you can hear sounds of rain as though it's literally trickling in at the driver door. More than I have noticed that sound I'm not sure what's going on in the overhead but it shouldn't sound like that. PLEASE AND THANKS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539823August 21, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
While slowing to turn into a turn lane, my care unexpectedly accelerated to a very high speed, causing me to crash straight into a signal light post. The light post was knocked over by the force of impact. The car ended up around the corner, facing the opposite direction and having hit another car. Police responded to the scene and inspected the vehicle, which was towed away. An insurance claim has been filed, though I am unaware if they have inspected the vehicle yet. The passenger airbag deployed but driver airbag did not. I had no warning before the sudden acceleration and this is the only time something like this happened.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11529250June 27, 2023
ENGINE
MY 2013 SUBARU CROSSTREK stalled on the highway in March 2023 while I was driving home from work. I brought it to Hassett Subaru in Wantagh because a friend told me that there was a recall on the spring valve (from 5 years ago, which I was never notified of). Vlad Oriol wanted to charge me a few thousand dollars to breakdown the engine, even though that was a requirement of the recall. I checked the VIN and found out my car was covered by the spring valve recall. Since the car was unsafe to drive, I then called Subaru headquarters who sent a tech supervisor to investigate the situation. The tech supervisor said the problem was due to the recall so the engine breakdown was covered. The tech supervisor said the "rocker arm had come loose from excessive lash, but was tied to the recall issue," and also added that there was no other damage. Hassett Subaru was forced by Subaru headquarters to preform the recall fix. I picked up my car (we live 2 miles from Hassett) and the very next day the car wouldn't accelerate and was constantly misfiring. I brought the car back to Hassett. The tech supervisor came out again to investigate, this time there was additional damage to the cam shaft (which was not there before Hassett worked on the car). Hassett told Subaru headquarters that there was a preexisting issue with the car (which was totally false). As a result Subaru headquarters would not cover the cost to fix the problem that Hassett caused by attempting to fix the recall issue. Thanks to Hassett's misrepresentations to Subaru headquarters we have a car that doesn't run and can't afford a new one.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498204December 20, 2022
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driving on the freeway my car lost power i pulled off to the side and tried to restart it. As I have the ignition turned over for 30 to 40 seconds the starter sounded erratic and the oil temperature light was flashing. I sat there for about ten minutes and tried again and it did the same thing but it started. This power loss has happened twice. The erratic noise coming from the ignition, and the hesitation of starting is a regular ongoing issue along with the oil temperature light. Since the first stall at about 117000 miles on the odometer the car has been burning oil at a rate of a full quart about every 3000 miles. #2 Around 120000 miles my key wouldn't come out of the ignition. This happened first on a late night in a high crime area. I actually had to leave my keys in my ignition while going into a gas station to pay for fuel. Since then this happens every time I turn off my vehicle and put it into the park position. Usually I have to wait around ten minutes to be able to remove the keys. Both of these issues cause a great deal of anxiety on the freeway or having to leave the key in the ignition.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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