Overall rating (best variant)
Safety ratings
2017 Subaru Crosstrek SW AWD
- Lane departure warningOptional
- Forward collision warningOptional
- Electronic stability controlStandard
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (1)
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCHCampaign 19V149000 · 28/02/2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER33
- VISIBILITY/WIPER23
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18
- POWER TRAIN13
- ENGINE12
- SERVICE BRAKES7
- STEERING5
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/31/2020· VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED DURING THE SUMMER FOR NO APPARENT REASON, NO OBVIOUS SIGNS OF CHIP IN WINDSHIELD SURFACE. CRACK STARTS UPPER MIDDLE EDGE OF GLASS, DOWN PASSED REARVIEW MIRROR, THEN HALF WAY ACROSS PASSENGER SIDE, ABOUT 1/3 WAY DOWN FROM TOP. WE ARE GETTING IT REPLACED NOW.
- 12/30/2019· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash
I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOW INTO MY GARAGE FROM TOWNHOUSE STREET. I HEARD THIS STRANGE NOISE AND MY CAR ACCELERATED FAST. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I HIT THE BACK OF MY GARAGE CAUSING DAMAGE TO GARAGE WALL AND INSIDE OF MY TOWNHOME. I HAVE LIVED HERE SINCE 1987 AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. THE CAR IS NOW AT GALE AUTO REPAIR, BLAINE, MN.. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
- 12/30/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINECrash
WHEN DRIVING INTO MY GARAGE, MY CAR MADE A STRANGE NOISE AND ACCELERATED INTO THE BACK OF MY GARAGE. I DID PUT ON MY BRAKES BUT THE CAR WAS GOING TOO FAST AND DID NOT STOP. I HAD DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY GARAGE, A SHELF AND INSIDE MY LAUNDRY ROOM AND BATHROOM. I DRIVE SLOW INTO MY STREET AND MY GARAGE. I HAVE LIVED HERE SINCE 1987 AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. MY CAR IS BEING FIXED BY GALE AUTO, BLAINE, MN.
- 12/29/2017· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT ON THE FREEWAY AND THEN A SUDDEN BOOM! SOUNDED LIKE A BRICK HIT THE ROOF OF THE CAR. FRIGHTEN A BIT BUT MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND THE NOTICED THE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. DROVE SOME SLOWLY AND LOOKED AT IT MORE WHEN I GOT HOME. I NOTICED THAT THE GLASS LOOKS LIKE IT BLEW UP LIKE A VOLCANO. IT BLEW OUTWARD. SO I STARTED SEARCHING IF THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS WITH MANY MANUFACTURERS.
- 12/05/2019· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND THE CAR NEEDS TO BE RESTARTED, PUT IN REVERSE/DRIVE, AND THEN EITHER MOVED OR STEP FIRMLY ON THE BREAK AND BACK IN PARK. SOMETIMES IT TAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. HAVING THIS ISSUE FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME, BUT OFTEN.
- 12/04/2022· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
12042022 - not sure of cause, could be multiple as all systems just shut down for seconds, the car goes dead while driving down I235 at 70mph, first the radio turns off, then the car seemed to go to lower gear rpm to zero and just shut off at a high speed, NO POWER on anything, then about 2.5 seconds later it restated and continued, sputtered off again then powered back off and on again as i got off the highway, many warning lights came on including the lane warning, brake light, it was very scary at such a high speed. this car now seems to have little continued incidents of the same behavior for what has seemed to be spuratic but regular fits now and I have to have dependable transportation. very easily could have caused an accident if the traffic was heavier when the incident occured.
- 12/01/2019· POWER TRAIN,WHEELS
I LEASE A 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CAR HAS BEEN FAITHFULLY MAINTAINED AS PER MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT/EXPERIENCED ANY BODY DAMAGE. THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE FAILED THREE TIMES PRIOR TO 48K. THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED TWICE BETWEEN 48K AND 55 K AND THE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED AROUND 52K. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT AND THE DEALER NOTED THAT ALL WHEEL BEARINGS ON EVERY SUBARU FAIL PRIOR TO 50K. FOR A RATHER PRICEY CAR, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. IF THE WHEEL BEARINGS FAIL, IT COULD LOCK UP ONE WHEEL AND CAUSE THE CAR TO FLIP UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING ADDITIONALLY, YOU WILL DRIVE THE CAR ONE DAY WITHOUT ANY ISSUE AND LITERALLY, THE NEXT DAY, YOU WILL START TO HEAR A LOW GROANING NOISE. I WOULD LIKE THE NHSTA TO OPEN A DEFECTS INVESTIGATION AS THEY CAN FIND THE SAME PROBLEM ACROSS EVERY SUBARU MODEL FROM 2013-FORWARD WHEN THE WHEEL BEARING DESIGN WAS CHANGED. DEALER RECORDS AND WARRANTY REPAIRS CAN INDICATE THIS. THE DESIGN ALLOWS FOR WATER AND ROAD DEBRIS TO GET INSIDE OF THE BEARING, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR AND FAILURE. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS ON CARS EVERY 50K. MY LAST VEHICLE (2007 HYUNDAI SONATA) DROVE FLAWLESSLY UNTIL 277K AND I NEVER HAD TO CHANGE A WHEEL BEARING IN THE 10 YEARS I OWNED THAT VEHICLE. SHAME ON SUBARU!
- 11/27/2020· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
WINDSHIELD IS CRACKING FOR NO CERTAIN REASON.
- 11/25/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT BLINKS. CANNOT USE CRUISE CONTROL. ITS A 2017 CROSSTREK. TOOK IT TO DEALER TWICE. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS CATALYTIC CONVERTOR OR O2 SENSORS WHICH WERE FIXED BUT LIGHTS REMAIN ON
- 11/25/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAR IS TUNED OFF AND IN PARK. CONSTANTLY NEED TO RESTART THE CAR AND PLAY AROUND WITH THE SHIFTER. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A MONTH. CAR IS LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD AND HAS 40K MILES ON IT. GANLEY SUBARU OF BEDFORD HAS SAID ANY REPAIR WOULD NEED TO BE PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET.
- 11/14/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK. INTERMITTENTLY, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE IGNITION WAS IN THE OFF POSITION AND THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WAS IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PALM SPRINGS SUBARU (LOCATED AT 67925 E PALM CANYON DR, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA 92234, (760) 318-4700) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
- 11/11/2019· VISIBILITY/WIPER
MY WINDSHIELD BUSTED FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET.
- 11/09/2020· POWER TRAIN
I WAS OPERATING MY 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK ON UNION ST IN BRAINTREE MA. I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. I THEN DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. I HEARD A BANG AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACK. THE TRANSMISSION HAD CEASED TO OPERATE. I LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE TO THE CURB BACKWARDS. THE TRANSMISSION DID GO INTO PARK BUT WOULD NOT OPERATE OTHERWISE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP,CLAY SUBARU, NORWOOD MA. THEY LATER INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HAD BLOWN. THAT ALONG WITH SOME OTHER ELECTRICAL WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BUT THEY SAID THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED. IF THIS HAD GONE FIVE MINUTES SOONER I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE CROWDED HIGHWAY GOING 55 TO 60 MPH I FIND OUT THAT SUBARU AND THE NHTSA KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION BUT ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED. I REALLY DON'T WANT MYSELF OR MY WIFE TO BE TEST CASES. I AM NOW INFORMED BY SUBARU THAT IT WILL COST ME OVER 2000 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. SINCE IT IS ELECTRICAL IT COULD BE JUST BE THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.
- 11/09/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
CAR STALLS RANDOMLY UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN. TAKES 3 TO 4 SECONDS TIL THE CAR ACCELERATES. DURING ALL THIS TIME THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING. HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES WITHIN THE PAST YEAR. AFRAID THIS MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, AS YESTERDAY I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET T-BONED. WILL NOT DRIVE MY GRANDSONS IN THIS CAR.
- 11/06/2020· AIR BAGS
SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW (CURRENTLY 55,000 MILES ON IT) THE AIR BAG RED MALFUNCTION LIGHT HAS INTERMITTENTLY COME ON WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ALSO, AT TIMES, THE DASHBOARD WILL REGISTER THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER. I MENTIONED THIS TO DEALER EARLY ON, BUT WAS TOLD BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. IT HAS CONTINUED, AND I NOTICED THAT SEEMS TO HAPPEN AFTER OR DURING HEAVY RAINS. MOST RECENTLY I TOOK A VIDEO OF THE LIGHT ON AND PANNED TO THE PASSENGER TO SHOW THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THIS WEEK (OF COURSE THE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF) AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE DOES SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MOISTURE IN THE AIR THAT THEY ARE SEEING WITH OTHER CARS AS WELL. BUT, WAS AGAIN TOLD SINCE THERE WAS NO LIGHT, THEY COULD NOT CHECK TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. I CALLED AND SPOKE WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE AT SUBARU HEADQUARTERS, DAVID AT 856 356-1190. HE SPOKE WITH DEALER AND WAS GOING TO SUGGEST AN ENGINEER LOOK AT VEHICLE, BUT JUST GOT BACK TO ME AND SINCE THERE IS NO HISTORY OF FAILED ATTEMPTS TO FIX THIS, AND THE LIGHT IS NOT CURRENTLY ON, WAS TOLD THEY COULD DO NOTHING, AND THAT I SHOULD BRING THE CAR BACK IN WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON. I AM FURIOUS. I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH A PASSENGER WHO IS OCCASIONALLY NOT PROTECTED BY AN AIRBAG. THEY ADMIT THERE IS AN ISSUE AND EVEN HAVE A PROCEDURE ON WHAT TO DO TO RESET THE LIGHT. BUT, I WORK DURING THE DAY, AND WHEN I HAVE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR, IT IS IN THE EVENING OR ON THE WEEKEND. SO, EVEN IF A LIGHT COMES ON, THE DEALER IS NOT OPEN AT THOSE TIMES, AND BY THE TIME I GET THERE WHEN THEY ARE OPEN, THE LIGHT IS OFF. THERE WILL NEVER BE A HISTORY OF FAILED ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR AS THEY NEVER SEE THE LIGHT ON, DESPITE ME SHOWING THEM THE VIDEO I TOOK. MY PASSENGERS ARE IN DANGER, AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
- 11/03/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I LOG A TON OF MILES AS A PART-TIME UBER DRIVER AND NEVER RECALL A STONE OR ANYTHING ELSE IMPACT MY WINDSHIELD WHILE I WAS DRIVING. SUDDENLY ON 9/15/19, THERE WAS A SMALL CRACK ON MY WINDSHIELD AND NOW, ON 11/3/19, THERE ARE LINEAR CRACKS ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT EXTEND 24" ON BOTH SIDES OF THAT SMALL CRACK. THIS WAS LIKELY DUE TO THE CHANGING COLD WEATHER
- 11/02/2019· VISIBILITY/WIPER
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN THE AFTERNOON OF AUG. 23, 2018 WITH VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC AND IN A RURAL AREA, I NOTICED A CRACK STARTING UP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD IN ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT QUICKLY SPREAD UP SEVERAL INCHES (APPROX. 9 INCHES) THEN MADE A 90 DEGREE TURN TO THE LEFT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER AND CONTINUED MOST OF THE WAY ACROSS THAT HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR ANY OTHER REASON FOR THE CRACK TO DEVELOP. THIS ALL HAPPENDED WITHIN ABOUT 20-30 MINUTES. THIS HAPPENED IN LATE AUGUST 2018. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I CAME UP BEHIND A LARGE GRAVEL TRUCK AND A PIECE OF GRAVEL HIT THE WINDSHIELD EXACTLY AT THE CORNER OF THE CRACK. THIS QUICKLY SPREAD HORIZONTALLY TO THE RIGHT ACROSS MOST OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS HAPPENED IN LATE SEPTEMBER OR EARLY OCTOBER 2018. THE TRUCK EXITED THE FREEWAY AND I WASN'T ABLE TO SEE THE COMPANY NAME ANYWHERE ON THE VEHICLE. SO THERE IS NOW A T-SHAPED CRACK THAT EXTENDS ACROSS MOST OF THE LOWER PART OF THE WINDSHIELD
- 11/01/2021· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Ignition/starting I have issues w starting car on more than one occasion and I have also had problems with removing the key. It almost is in a key lock mode. I will then turn off and on until it will allow me to remove but sometimes it hasn’t started. Stabilizer light came on a few times then shut off on own.
- 10/29/2019· VISIBILITY/WIPER
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK THAT WAS SUBJECT TO A FAULTY WINDSHIELD RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD DEVELOPED A SPONTANEOUS CRACK FROM NO APPARENT OR OBVIOUS SOURCE OTHER THAN NORMAL CONDITIONS. SPECIFICALLY, THIS CRACK DEVELOPED OVERNIGHT WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY NOT IN MOTION AND NOT EXPOSED TO DAMAGE CAUSING DEBRIS. THE NEXT MORNING, AN INCONSPICUOUS CRACK AT ONLY A FEW MILLIMETERS APPEARED. OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FEW DAYS, THE CRACK HAD GROWN TO TENS OF CENTIMETERS. THE END RESULT WAS AN UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS WINDSHIELD CREATING VISIBILITY ISSUES AND A RISK OF INTEGRITY FAILURE. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT FULL COST NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL AND WAS PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET. ATTACHED IS A COPY OF THE INVOICE WITH COSTS FOR THE WINDSHIELD PARTS AND LABOR.
- 10/28/2019· POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE WINDSHIELD ON MY 2017 CROSSTREK CHIPS TOO EASY. I HAVE NEVER HAD CHIPS ON ANY OTHER VEHICLES WINDSHIELD. THE GLASS MUST BE TOO SOFT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY CROSSTREK A FEW TIMES WHILE IN MOTION. MY TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT SOMETIMES SLIPS, AND SHUDDERS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
- 10/24/2020· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I FOUND OUR 2017 CROSSTREK SUBARU WITH AUTOSTART CAPABILITY IN OUR CLOSED GARAGE, LOCKED, RUNNING, WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION AT 8 AM. THE TWO AUTOSTART FOBS WERE SHUT UP IN A DRAWER. THE CAR HAD LAST BEEN DRIVEN TO WORK AND BACK THE DAY BEFORE, RETURNING ABOUT 5 PM. OUR CO DETECTOR IN THE HOUSE DID NOT GO OFF AND NO ONE WAS HURT (LUCKILY). WE HAVE SINCE HAD THE AUTOSTART DISCONNECTED AND BELIEVE OUR VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR SAFETY. THIS IS SIMILAR TO REPORTS ABOUT 2010-2013 SUBARUS WITH AUTOSTART WHERE ALMOST 50,000 VEHICLES WERE RECALLED. SEE HTTPS://WWW.USATODAY.COM/STORY/DRIVEON/2013/03/07/SUBARU-RECALL/1971825/
- 10/22/2025· POWER TRAIN
Premature shift fork failure in 2017 Subaru Crosstrek manual transmission at 62,521 miles requiring complete transmission replacement ($10,000 repair, vehicle worth $11,000). EVIDENCE OF DESIGN DEFECT: - Subaru issued TSB 03-83-20R acknowledging shift fork design flaws in 2018-2020 Crosstreks with identical transmission - TSB states original forks required "thicker nylon inserts" proving inadequate design - My VIN (HG269902) is before production change (LG225906), confirming defective pre-improvement design - Shift fork failure can cause sudden inability to shift gears while driving - significant safety hazard MAINTENANCE: Single owner, meticulously maintained with documented service at 20k, 39k, 52k, 58k miles. Never in accident. No abuse. MANUFACTURER RESPONSE: Subaru offered only $1,800 (18% coverage) and blamed my "driving habits" despite TSB proving design defect. REQUEST: NHTSA investigate shift fork failures in 2015-2017 Crosstreks and evaluate if TSB 03-83-20R should extend to these model years. See attached: Complete complaint documentation and TSB 03-83-20R.
- 10/22/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
STEREO SYSTEM FREEZES. TOUCH SCREEN INACCESSIBLE. GLITCHES CONSTANTLY. NOT ABLE TO ACCESS ANY APPS, NAVIGATION, STARLINK, ETC.
- 10/17/2017· SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEELS TO WOBBLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT IF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, THEN THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- 10/11/2019· SERVICE BRAKES
MY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AFTER WORK, THE BATTERY WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DISCHARGED. I WAS ABLE TO CALL FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THROUGH SUBARU AND RECEIVED A JUMP START. (THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHILE I WAS BACKPACKING THE WEEKEND OF 9/21-9/22, BUT THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DISCHARGED. ANOTHER ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF OUR SCOUT TROOP WAS ABLE TO GIVE ME A JUMP START. PREVIOUSLY, I HAD BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING, BUT HAD BEEN ABLE TO CATCH IT IN TIME BEFORE THE BATTERY DIED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS, WHICH COULD BE REMEDIED BY ME TAKING MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL. AFTER THE JUMP ON 10/3, THIS LOSS OF ACCELERATION HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT CONTINUE MOVING. ON A FINAL NOTE, I REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THE EVENING OF 10/3 AND HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED EITHER PROBLEM SINCE.)
- 10/02/2020· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAN'T REMOVE IGNITION KEY. AFTER PARKING, I PLACE THE CAR IN PARK, AND TRY TO REMOVE THE KEY. IT GETS STUCK AND WON'T COME OUT. THERE IS A TECHNICAL BULLETING ABOUT "SHIFT SELECTER MECHANISM" BUT CAR OWNERS HAVE TO PAY GET THIS FIXED. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL.
- 09/30/2025· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
In August of 2024, I got into my car in a parking lot and turned the key in the ignition. The car started revving really high. I waited for it to slow down, and then I put it into reverse. The car shot back and would have hit the building if I hadn't slammed on the brakes. Fortunately, there wasn't anyone behind the car at the time, but the woman who had just walked in back of my car to enter the building stood there looking at me. I slowly put my foot on the gas pedal and drove home. The following day, I had a tow truck come and take the car to the dealer. They did a scheduled maintenance service and replace the throttle body. Everything was fine until 9/28/25. I was driving out of a parking lot and entering the street going very slowly, suddenly the car lurched forward very fast, and I had to slam on my brakes to stop it. I drove it home. I notified a friend who knew a mechanic that he said was familiar with this type of issue. He got in touch with the dealership where the car had been serviced, and I got a call from the Service Department manager. He asked me to bring the car in so they could try to find out what the problem was. He said that if they couldn't find out what it was, an engineer might be called in to inspect the car. I am planning on having the car towed to the dealership this week. On neither occasion did any warning lights come on in the car. It was very fortunate that no one was hurt during either incident, but it could have been tragic. I was only about 15 feet away from a crosswalk when the second incident occurred. I read online that the manufacturer is involved in a lawsuit where several other people have had the same experience, although not the same model as my car. I have driven the same brand of car for about fifteen years and have never had a problem before.
- 09/13/2021· ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Upon accelerating, the engine seems to bog down and I lose speed. It has happened under many conditions—after turning a corner, going down a straightaway, and when accelerating to merge on a highway. This puts people in the car at risk and others traveling behind me. I took it to the dealer and they said that since they could not replicate it, there was nothing they could do. No warning lights seem to be involved. On the internet, posters refer to this as a "known problem" but no one has come up with a solution, nor have their dealers. It's troublesome. I know the 2018s have had a related problem. It's happened on many dates.
- 09/11/2020· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REOCCURRING PROBLEM OF SELECT LEVER (SHIFTER) MECHANISM NOT BEING ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. CURRENTLY UNABLE TO CONFIDENTLY USE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE KEY IS REPEATEDLY STUCK AND IT REQUIRES SEVERAL BACK AND FORTH, IGNITION ON AND OFF, ACTIONS BEFORE CAR TURNS OFF AND KEY CAN BE REMOVED.
- 09/05/2018· VISIBILITY/WIPER
WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREET WITH FAIRLY HIGH TRAFFIC. VERY HEAVY RAIN AND HUMIDITY. I TURNED ON DEFOGGER AND THE WINDSHIELD GOT INCREASINGLY MORE FOGGED UP. THE DEFOGGER DID NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD TO DRIVE AT 20 MPG TO AVOID A COLLISION. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE DEFOGGER. THE CAR IS TWO WEEKS OLD.
- 08/31/2020· LANE DEPARTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE BLIND SPOT DETECTOR WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS BLIND SPOT FUNCTION WAS INOPERABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE BLIND SPOT BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, FAILED TO RESPOND. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,322.
- 08/27/2019· AIR BAGS
MY AIRBAG SENSOR WENT OUT ON MY PASSENGER SEAT AND IT WAS ON BACKORDER FOR OVER A MONTH AND A HALF. THIS ISSUE HAD BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER SUBARU CARS (FORESTER) AND IT ALSO OCCURRED ON MY VEHICLE.
- 08/24/2021· POWER TRAIN
When I put the car in park the key would turn off the car but not come out of the ignition. The only way to get the key out was to turn the car back on and try again, sometimes 5+ times. When I took the car in for repair at a Subaru dealership they said this was a constant Subaru problem and that my shifter plate guide would need to be replaced. They charged me $600 but after searching Subaru forums I found that Subaru will sometimes pay for this repair because it is a known issue with a repair bulletin number (16-112-18). I believe this is a widespread defect and Subaru should pay for all repairs, not simply the repairs of consumers who have the resources to know to call the company.
- 08/23/2023· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car has 26,000 miles and the heat shield over the muffler has shifted and causing a grinding sound against the back wheel. Told the shield had rusted and needed replacement. There were no warning lights, just the grinding sound from the rear of the car.
- 08/23/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINEFire
MY 13 MONTH OLD CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE FOR "NO APPARENT REASON".
- 08/20/2020· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE IGNITION SWITCH AT TIMES DOES NOT FULLY RETURN TO THE REMOVE POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED. INVESTIGATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA INDICATES A PROBLEM WITH MANY SUBARU MODELS WHERE THIS "CAPTURE" OF THE IGNITION KEY OCCURS. A DRIVER FORCED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY INSIDE REPRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD AS A CHILD COULD USE THE CAPTURED KEY TO START THE VEHICLE AND SHIFT INTO A GEAR TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE "P"ARK RANGE SWITCH.
- 08/19/2020· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
RE: BATTERY NOT FULLY CHARGING IT WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THAT OUR BATTERY IS NOT FULLY CHARGING AGAIN (CERTIFIED AUTO MECHANIC). WE HAVE A 3+ YEAR OLD, NEWISH SUBARU CROSSTREK WITH CONSISTENT BATTERY DRAINING PROBLEMS. THE FIRST BATTERY DRAINED ON US IN DEC 2019, THUS THE 2ND BATTERY WAS INSTALLED BY SUBARU ON 12/12/2019. I BELIEVED THIS IS AN ALTERNATOR PROBLEM THAT IS CREATING PROBLEMS ON MY BATTERY AND TUCSON SUBARU STATED THAT I HAVE TO PAY (POSSIBLY) FOR ALTERNATOR IF THIS IS THE ISSUE. WELL, THEY SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THE ALTERNATOR BEFORE AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS BATTERY DRAINING IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SUBARU CROSSTREK. I HAVE OWNED NEW MAZDA AND TOYOTAS BEFORE, I NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY ON NEW CAR AND BATTERY. HAVING THIS REPEATED PROBLEM IS NOT JUST A BATTERY ISSUE, IT IS AN ENGINE OR ALTERNATOR ISSUE AND SUBARU CROSSTREK THUS FAR HAS FAILED ON ME. I JUST NEED SUBARU TO FIX THIS CHRONIC PROBLEM AND DOING MY RESEARCH, OTHER SUBARU CROSSTREK OWNERS HAVE OR HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH BATTERIES DRAINING TOO FAST INCLUDING ALTERNATOR PROBLEM. AND SUBARU SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR FREE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. I LOVE JAPANESE CARS AND I BELIEVE IN SUBARU AND I'M HOPING THAT THEY STILL HAVE THAT INTEGRITY, BUT THEY HAVE TO ACT ON THIS ACTION AND SHOW THEIR LOYALTY TO THEIR CUSTOMERS AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGING US CREATED BY THEIR OWN TECHNICAL OR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN THE FIRST PLACE. THANK YOU.
- 08/18/2023· POWER TRAIN,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Greetings: As outlined in Service Bulletin 05-70-19, Rear Wheel Backing Plate Design change, I am having an almost overwhelming “whining or humming” sound coming from the rear portion of my vehicle. Given the significance of this WHEEL BEARING & BACKING PLATE issue, I respectfully request an RECALL & subsequent repair be initiated. Coupled with a VERY large number of related customer issues - globally - this issue should have already met-the-bar for a RECALL vs. Safety Bulletin. It’s obvious there are safety-related design flaws - again, given the overall number of required repairs - and this should be addressed accordingly. Thank you.
- 08/16/2021· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Key get stuck in ignition and cannot be pulled out after turned off. I've seen this not just happened to crosstrek but all other Subaru models after certain mileage. People tried to restart the car in place, shift gear to d and back to p. More than a dozen people reporting similar problems on subaruxvforum or cargurus.com and a service bulletin (TSB #16-112-18R) issued to this problem, however people can only get repaired with the warranty. Very surprised to see this has not been recalled.
- 08/04/2021· SERVICE BRAKES
Outer left rear brake pad broke away from the backing plate causing damage to the brake rotor. The pads were original equipment and not worn out.
- 08/02/2025· Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
The harness on my child's Nuna RAVA loosened during a 30 minute drive home (highway and downtown driving) in May of 2025. I learned later that month that there is a recall on Nuna Ravas for that exact reason. It is available for inspection. My child was not properly secured, and I did not know it until we got home; he could have been killed or seriously injured had we gotten into a collision on that drive. The car seat has not been inspected by anyone. Nuna offered me a “remedy kit” with a screwdriver, a brush, and a mismatched fabric cover, but I am not a safety technician and do not have the time or expertise to take the seat apart myself and still trust it to secure my child. The problem with the harness straps we have is intermittent, and does not replicate when the car is parked and I simply “tug” on the straps. I do not feel that this is an adequate safety test anyway, as it doesn’t replicate the forces or conditions in an accident. I requested a replacement seat, but Nuna denied my request on 7/21 and again on 7/28. Nuna has not supplied crash test results on layperson “repaired” car seats. This defect is the subject of NHTSA actions DP24003 and PE24026. Other RAVA owners have complained that their repaired RAVA still malfunctioned even after using Nuna's "remedy kit." I would like a replacement car seat to ensure my child's safety.
- 08/02/2020· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE KEY GOT STUCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I COULD NOT REMOVE IT UNTIL I VIEWED A YOUTUBE VIDEO THAT EXPLAINED HOW TO START THE CAR AND MOVE THE SHIFTER FORWARD AND THEN REVERSE AGAIN. OTHERS HAVE HAD VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SUBARU VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME.
- 07/29/2022· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I drove my car to work one morning (7 min drive through a city; no highways) and there was no crack in the windshield. I came out of work 8 hours later to go home, and there was a crack over 6 inches long in the windshield. There are no markings suggesting anything hit the windshield, only long smooth cracks.
- 07/20/2020· VISIBILITY/WIPER
I GOT IN MY 2017 CROSSTREK PREMIUM ON FEBRUARY 11, 2020 THAT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD. IT WAS NOT THERE THE DAY BEFORE. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, NOTHING HIT ME. I DO NOT OFF ROAD. THE CRACK WAS SPONTANEOUS. NOW THE CRACK HAS SPROUTED INTO SEVERAL SPONTANEOUS CRACKS THAT ARE CONTINUALLY GETTING WORSE, CLIMBING APPROX. 1/3 OF THE WAY UP THE WINDSHIELD! I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE PROGRESSION OF THE CRACK STARTING FEBRUARY 2020 TO THE PRESENT, EACH MONTH, IF NEEDED.
- 07/15/2020· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
VEHICLE LOSES POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THROTTLE IS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE/NON-FUNCTIONAL. ENGINE REMAINS ON BUT WILL NOT DELIVER POWER OR ACCELERATE. NO DASH INDICATION LIGHTS ARE DISPLAYED. CAR SLOWS DOWN RAPIDLY UNTIL THROTTLE RE-ENGAGES AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS WHICH CAN BE A FEW SECONDS UP TO THIRTY SECONDS. HAPPENS MOST FREQUENTLY AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MINUTES. HAPPENS REPEATEDLY AFTER IT INITIATES. HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER SEVERAL TIMES TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER MOTORISTS. THIS HAS BEEN VERY DANGEROUS.
- 07/07/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY KEY STARTED TO GET STUCK, I NEED TO START MY CAR, PUT IT IN DRIVE BACK IN PARK REPEATEDLY UNTIL IT COMES OUT. 30,000 MILES ON A CAR AND I CAN’T JUST HAVE IT FIXED WHEN THERE IS A TSB ON A KNOW ISSUE. TO DO THIS CYCLE OF ON AND OFF 1-9 TIMES ON A 2 YR OLD VEHICLE IS RIDICULOUS,THIS HAPPENS 50% OF THE TIME I TRY TO SHUT MY CAR OFF AND GETTING WORSE, PLEASE DO A RECALL
- 07/06/2017· STRUCTURE,SEATSFire
TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS RESTING HIS RIGHT ARM ON THE LEATHER SHIFTER, HE SUSTAINED BURNS. THE PASSENGER AND HIS WIFE ALSO RECEIVED BURNS ON THE BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT FOREARMS OF THE LEATHER SEATING SURFACES. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR HIS INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CHEMICAL REACTIVE SECOND DEGREE BURNS. THE CAR RENTAL VENDOR WAS MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE LOCAL DEALER (MARK MILLER SUBARU MIDTOWN LOCATED ON 3535 STATE ST, SALT LAKE CITY, UT, 84115) WAS CONTACTED AT 888-859-6198 AND STATED THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE FAILURE AND WOULD "LOOK INTO IT". THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 396.
- 06/26/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VALIDATING COMPLAINT OF WHAT IS LISTED ON NHTSA. 1) KEY STUCK IN IGNITION - WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RELEASE KEY FROM IGNITION AFTER SETTING GEAR IN PARK AND TURNING OFF ENGINE, CAR KEY WILL GET STUCK 2) LOW GAS FUEL CHIME - CHIME IS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. CHIME IS SHARP / STACCATO ALERT AND IS BARELY AUDIBLE. *TR
- 06/26/2018· ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND APPROACHING A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION SUBARU SCOTTSDALE (15678 N NORTHSIGHT BLVD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11.
- 06/20/2020· VISIBILITY/WIPER
WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED AN 8" CRACK AFTER A SMALL ROCK STRIKE WITHIN AN HOUR. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR