Subaru Crosstrek Complaints

1,200 consumer complaints on file.

#11645075February 26, 2025
Tether, Lower Anchor (on car seat or vehicle)
Using the seat belt with the safe lock feature for rear facing, the car seat becomes loose within 2-3 times using it with my daughter. We have to have her out, undo the safe lock and pull the seat belt tight again to refasten it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11644525February 24, 2025
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
I just recently had my car come out of park while running at the top of a steep hill. I had stepped out of my car to deliver paperwork to my client. I walked to and from my car approximately 75-80 ft. As I was approaching my car I heard a clicking or a release sound then it began to roll. I wasn’t close enough to stop it and it rolled down a neighbor of my clients driveway and eventually rolled over landing against a tree. When I arrived at my car it was still running. I have awd and I noticed the tires in the air were not turning as they should have if it was in drive. My car was obviously totaled. How do I have someone check my car to see if there was defect that caused it to come out of park? I must say I forgot to set my handbrake. But I feel the car should not have come out of park regardless. Could it have been the front axle shaft or anything else?
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11644364February 23, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
Hello! I started financing my 2019 Subaru Crosstrek in 04/2023. A month after that date, I had a head gasket issue. Then in 2024, a radiator cap deformed after going to the dealer to get an oil change at SF Honda. (The time on that was suspicious being that I didn’t touch that cap at all.) so I had to pay for that repair. Now in 2025, after getting an oil change at Subaru, a day after that oil change, a lot of lights came onto my dashboard. I have two diagnosis reports from other places because I didn’t have the money to pay Subaru $300 to “diagnose” the issue, especially after my car just came from there a day before the problem existed. Since I got into this vehicle, I’ve been suspicious whether or not it’s safe for me, reason also being, I found out in 2024, that this car has been into 5 wrecks. Which I was NOT aware of prior. And now, they are making me feel, there is NOTHING they can do, unless I have a Co-signer, or the approved “credit” score. And now that my vehicle has “7” recalls! I am hoping I can get out of this vehicle. Thanks!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643875February 20, 2025
SEATS
Driver seat began rocking. The dealer indicated it’s a problem they saw with other cars as well. The attachment to the rail you move your seat forward and backwards with, brakes. The dealer wants to sell you new brackets to make your car safe again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643825February 20, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
I had purchased my car over a weekend and in less than 2 days, on my way to work, I noticed that the horn volume and reliability was severely diminished to the point where you can't hear it if you have the windows rolled up inside the vehicle, and/or doesnt work at all. I used my warranty to replace the horn and have the dealership take a look at it. they recognized that it was a problem but even after replacing the horn, the issue still persisted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643745February 19, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while pulling into a parking spot and depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal a second time, the vehicle jerked, unintendedly accelerated, drove up the curb, and crashed into the metal plastic pole of Wawa. The pole was fractured. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. There was no warning light illuminated. A police report was filed, but the contact did not have the police report information available. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could only diagnose the vehicle after it had been repaired by an auto body repair shop. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that she would be contacted later and would be informed of the location she would need to take the vehicle for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641863February 11, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
On [XXX] I was driving my ned 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness (420 miles), from inside the "Flamingo Pines Shopping Center” on the intersection of [XXX] and [XXX] , City of Pembroke Pines in Florida by the [XXX] , to merge into [XXX] . The traffic coming already on [XXX] southbound stopped 3 or four vehicles ahead of me. Slowly the vehicles in front where merging into the traffic until there was only one vehicle in front of me, a black Jeep. After 2 or 3 more vehicle passed by [XXX] , the road was clear and the Jeep started to move. I started to move slowly behind the Jeep, but turn my head one last time to the left to confirm no other vehicle was coming. When I turn my head back to the right the Jeep stopped completely and I was not able to press the brake on time, ending in a collision with the Jeep. The Eyesight on my Crosstrek didn't work at all, don't even warning me about the Jeep was stopped completely. My vehicle is still in the shop for repairs, due to my car ended with more damages than the Jeep. I had 6 Subaru Outbacks and 1 Forrester before and this situation never happened before. LOCATION IN GOOGLE MAPS [XXX] POLICE REPORT [XXX] PEMBROKE PINES POLICE DEPARTMENT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641552February 9, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I was experiencing a weird binding or lurching in my drive train which made my Subaru feel unstable. I am a mechanic so I investigated these symptoms online and found that a large number of Subaru owners with manual transmissions were experiencing the same issue......a failing viscous coupler was the issue. There were no warning lights or indications prior to failure A failing viscous coupler will not properly engage the front wheels when needed, causing reduced traction in slippery situations, increasing the risk of sliding or spinning out. Uneven power distribution: When a viscous coupler fails, it can lead to uneven power distribution between the front and rear wheels, potentially causing the vehicle to pull or jerk, especially during turns. Sudden engagement: In some cases, a failing viscous coupler might engage too aggressively, causing a sudden jolt or shudder, potentially leading to loss of control. I purchased and replaced this component at my own expense not knowing the magnitude of the issue. This is a definite safety issue that could lead to serious injury or even death. I have the old part in my possession, it failed around 85,000 miles. One of the mechanics in the Subaru forum said he had submitted a report to NHTSA but I didn't see anything on your sight. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, [XXX] 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
#11640184February 2, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I am writing to formally raise a significant safety concern regarding my 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. I recently discovered a malfunction in the transfer case (pictures attached), specifically involving the center differential gear set, which necessitated immediate replacement. This issue first became apparent while driving at low speeds when I heard a loud, distinctive "clunking" noise, indicating a possible malfunction within the transmission. As a precaution, I took the vehicle to my service mechanic for further diagnosis. After thorough inspection, my mechanic at Roberts Auto Shop (invoice attached) promptly identified the transfer case as the source of the problem. Subsequently, I contacted my local Subaru dealership, North Tampa, where I have previously serviced my vehicle, to inquire whether this issue is known to affect earlier models of the Crosstrek. The service manager expressed surprise that this problem occurred in my manual transmission vehicle, noting that it is typically documented in vehicles with CVT transmissions but rarely in manual models. I further inquired about the availability of any extended warranties or safety recalls related to this known issue. The manager informed me that the vehicle's powertrain warranty covers only up to 60,000 miles or five years, both of which I have exceeded, as my vehicle currently has just over 70,000 miles. My primary safety concern arises from the discovery of metal shavings inside the defective transfer case during its replacement. While the amount is currently minimal, there is a significant risk that this could quickly escalate into a complete transmission failure, posing a considerable safety hazard. I am planning to report this issue to Subaru of America for further investigation and would appreciate your assistance in investigating this matter. I also request that Subaru be held accountable for this known defect, particularly given its potential to jeopardize vehicle safety. Thank you for your support.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11638943January 27, 2025
ENGINE
Spark plug coil leaked oil into the spark plug
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11638530January 25, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The front windshield has cracked all the way across the bottom without a reason, while I was parked at work. There were no prior chips or dings that would cause the windshield to crack all the way across. There were no outside factors that would have caused this either since the stop was only a few minutes and was in a completely empty parking lot. I’ve read online, and also heard from the glass repair shop while they seen if it would be fixable, that a large amount of people have experienced this same exact issue with the 2022 Crosstrek windshield spontaneously cracking. Never have I ever experienced this type of issue before with any of the cars i’ve owned previously.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11638171January 23, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Random cracking of windshield while parked. Beginning from the very top of the windshield downward 6-7 inches. No chips, or cracks in the area. Was not hit by anything.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11638103January 23, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The component that is compromised on my '23 Subaru Crosstrek Sport is the windshield. My vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Monday, Jan 13, 2025, a crack formed on my windshield. The crack happened on the inside of the vehicle. It was positioned above the defroster vent on the driver's side, and I saw it happen right before my eyes. I immediately inspected the windshield from the exterior of the car. The crack cannot be felt by touch on the exterior of the windshield. There was no evidence of any damage that the vehicle could have sustained that would have caused the crack. I continued to use the defroster without further incident during my morning commute drive throughout the work week of Jan 13. Monday, Jan 20, the crack expanded to the full length of the defroster vent. It now stretches across both the driver's side and passenger side of the car. Because of the crack, I no longer use the defroster vent in fear of further damage to the windshield. Without use of the defroster, my vision is compromised due to condensation build up between the temperature difference in the interior cabin of the vehicle in contrast to the outside weather temperature. The problem was confirmed by my local Subaru dealership. On Jan 13, I took my vehicle to my local Subaru dealership where I purchased the car. A service manager took pictures of the windshield crack on site and submitted a claim to the dealership’s district manager for review. On Tuesday Jan 21, I received an update from my dealership. The district manager offered a 35% rebate to go towards the repair and/or replacement of the windshield. However, the cost to replace the windshield is quoted at $1600, in which I would be responsible for covering the remainder of the expense. I feel this is an unacceptable attempt of resolve on behalf of my dealership due to the issue at hand is and was completely out of my control. There was no warning lamp, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637535January 21, 2025
POWER TRAIN
What component of system failed: transmission At low speeds, my car makes a low moaning sound. I took it to the subaru dealership and after 2.5 hours, they said it's an issue with the transmission and needs a full replacement. Safety: According to a local subaru dealer's website, "While it might be tempting to keep driving despite a known transmission fault, especially if the car seems to be running ‘fine’, there are inherent risks. Firstly, there’s the potential for the fault to escalate, causing more significant damage to the transmission system. This could, in turn, result in costlier repairs down the line. Secondly, and more crucially, a transmission fault could lead to unpredictable vehicle behavior, especially when changing gears. This unpredictability can be hazardous, not just for the driver but for others on the road as well." Problem reproduced: YES on 1/20/25 at Dewey Griffin Subaru in Bellingham, WA Inspected: YES on 1/20/25 at Dewey Griffin Subaru in Bellingham, WA. Warning lamps: NO
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637214January 20, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Oem Headlight shadowing on brand new car moves all over the place. It mimics child or wildlife. The reduced area is unsafe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11635404January 11, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The windshield in our 2022 Subaru Crosstrek has gained 2 cracks for no apparent reason. The windshield has cracked under normal stress/strain over a prolonged period of time. There was no incident that caused this unacceptable cracking. Furthermore it is unsafe. I do not look forward to paying replacement costs associated with eye-sight recalibration and winshield repair.... not sure why this vehicle isn't the class action lawsuit against Subaru of America with Powell et al... And of course we first noticed the cracks at about 40,000 miles. They just showed up one day, indicated that after prolonged strain they reached their breaking point.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11635355January 10, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
6-8in windshield crack on passenger side, near the bottom just above defrost vents. No apparent trauma to the windshield in that area. No indication that there was a crack forming otherwise; appeared seemingly overnight. Have not yet reported to insurance, dealer, or mfg. I have seen that there was a class action settled recently regarding some Subaru windshields cracking without warning so this may be a known issue. Car is available for inspection upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634978January 8, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlight performance on this vehicle is extremely dangerous when driving at nighttime. Unless you keep your high beams on constantly, these headlights offer only extremely limited visibility during night driving. From the top of the windshield down about16 inches it's totally black. You can only see out of the bottom half of the windshield. The road in front of you is only lit up for about 60 feet then it's dark beyond that point. Visiblity problem gets even worse when going downhill. Incident #1. . . . I almost ran into a bicycle rider the other night as he was traveling just beyond the area that was lit up by my lights. I was only traveling at about 35-40 mph, but by the time he was visible i was almost not able to avoid hitting him. He was riding his bike just on the edge of the lane of car traffic so he was easily in the line of my car. I was so shaken up, my heart was pounding, that I had to pull over to the side of the road to reflect on what had just happened and to get my bearings again. Now I find myself afraid to drive this Subaru, my new car of only 2 months, at nighttime. Incident #2. . . .Same complaint regarding headlights. The above described problem with headlights gets even more, much more, dangerous when you're driving down an incline such as a hill. Because you're car is going downhill, the available space that is lit up in front of you becomes even more diminished so that you also can't see any curves in the road that are coming up as well as stop signs, pedestrians or other cars!. It's a miracle if you don't end up crashing your car off the side of the road while trying to navigate down that hill. I have complained numerous times at the dealership, but no help. To verify, a rep. would have to drive the car at night time. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE Subaru needs to make this right and correct this HEADLIGHT problem ASAP or there is bound to be drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists injured and/or killed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634841January 8, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The windshield cracks if you spit at it. It has had the original one, one from safelite and one from bright glass and it is now cracked again. To top it off, when it cracks, unless I put clear nail polish on it right away it splits the length of the window. The 2005 Crv has had a crack in its windshield for years. Not one cm bigger. The windshield is garbage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634293January 6, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield cracked on the second day I owned the car. No visible incident but it is cracked all the way left to right. The windshield is impossibly thin.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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