RoadVitals

2014 Subaru Crosstrek

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Jul 15, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Feb 28, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2014 Subaru Crosstrek, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), brakes and driver assistance categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 229 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Powertrain (other)736.8%
  • Brakes210.5%
  • Driver assistance210.5%
  • Electrical210.5%
  • Engine210.5%
  • Exterior lighting210.5%
  • Suspension15.3%
  • Body & structure15.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V149000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Feb 28, 2019
1,303,530 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number WUE-90View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 16
Brakes
Filed Jul 15, 2019

2014 SUBARU XV CROSSTREK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 19V-149. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED. *JS

NHTSA ID
11231295
Incident
Jun 28, 2019
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 2, 2019

THIS LETTER IS TO DOCUMENT AN INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON 6/27/19 AT APPROX. 2 PM EST IN DANBURY, CT ON I84. I WAS PROCEEDING WEST ON I84 IN MY 2014 SUBARU CROSSTREK WHEN THE VEHICLE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT) ASSEMBLY, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF WHEEL ROTATION (WHEELS LOCKING UP) WHICH LASTED FOR ALMOST 2 SECONDS. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND, WHILE ALMOST STRUCK BY A TRACTOR-TRAILER THAT WAS FOLLOWING ME IN THE CENTER LANE, WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO COLONIAL SUBARU IN DANBURY, CT WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A COMPLETE INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRING A REPLACEMENT. I THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE, THE SUBJECT OF A WARRANTY EXTENSION BY SUBARU OF AMERICA (HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/Y9BOZWGD) AND THAT MY VEHICLE WAS ONE OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. MY CONCERN IS THAT GIVEN THE SEVERE CONSEQUENCE WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURS, THIS SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A FACTORY RECALL, TO PREVENT A CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF WHEEL ROTATION AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THIS IS WHAT OCCURRED IN MY EXPERIENCE. IF I WERE A LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER IT A HIGH PROBABLE THAT A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. TRAVELING DOWN A MAJOR, CROWDED INTERSTATE WITH A CAR THAT SUFFERED A SEVERE ENGINEERING FAILURE COULD HAVE LED TO ROADWAY FATALITIES. I REQUEST THAT NHTSA OPEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO SUBARU OF AMERICA'S HANDLING OF THIS MATTER AND CONSIDER MANDATING THAT SOA REPLACE TRANSMISSIONS IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE WHEN THE EVENT OCCURRED WAS 114,000 WHICH DEMONSTRATES THAT THE WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 100,000 MILES IS INSUFFICIENT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE SINCE THE PROBLEM CAN OCCUR BEYOND THE 100,000 THRESHOLD. I BELIEVE THAT THE CONSEQUENCE OF A CVT FAILURE WARRANTS A RECALL NOTICE.

NHTSA ID
11229075
Incident
Jun 27, 2019
Mileage
114,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 13, 2019

THE HOOD OPENED ON MY 2014 SUBARU CROSSTREK WHILE DRIVING CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. CURIOUS ABOUT OTHER REPORTS AND WHO TO CONTACT AT SUBARU?

NHTSA ID
11219814
Incident
Jun 7, 2019
Mileage
104,000 mi
Filed May 14, 2019

LOSS OF POWER/VEHICLE DIES WHILE IN DRIVING. DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. HILL START ASSIST LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE HAS NO POWER.

NHTSA ID
11207608
Incident
May 14, 2019
Mileage
49,500 mi
BrakesExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed May 2, 2019
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU CROSSTREK. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON MAY 28, 2018 AND HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES, INCLUDING THE CLUTCH FAILING AND THE BUSHING ON THE FRONT CONTROL ARM WAS CRACKED AND RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD CERTIFIED BY SUBARU EL CAJON (900 ARNELE AVE, EL CAJON, CA 92020, (619) 440-0404) WHO STATED THAT ANY FAILURE THAT OCCURRED WOULD BE REPLACED AT NO COST. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID
11205309
Incident
Jan 9, 2019
Mileage
60,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 29, 2019

ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AT AROUND 99980 MILEAGE, INCLUDING BLINKING OIL AT TEMPERATURE DASH LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, HILL LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE LINE. IT IS ALSO SLUGGISH UPON ACCELERATION WHEN I FIRST START. AT FIRST START ONLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN AFTER SLUGGISH ACCELERATION ALL THE LIGHTS ABOVE COME ON. CRUISE LIGHT FLASHES AND CRUISE DOESNT WORK AND SHIFTING PADDLES DONT WORK. ALL LIGHTS CAME ON WHEN I TURNED ON CAR TO MOVE IT.

NHTSA ID
11204483
Incident
Apr 27, 2019
Mileage
99,950 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 16, 2019

THE FIRST TIME THE INSTANCE HAPPEN I STARTED THE CAR AND ALL THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WERE LIT. THE MECHANIC COULDN'T FIND A REASON WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN, SO HE JUST RESET IT AND THE LIGHTS WENT OFF. A FEW WEEKS LATER I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY HOME FROM WORK AND ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT A MECHANIC AND HE CAN NOT FIND WHY THIS WOULD BE HAPPENING.

NHTSA ID
11196739
Incident
Mar 4, 2019
Mileage
100,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 24, 2019

TROUBLE CODE- P0700 END P0730

NHTSA ID
11182192
Incident
Jan 1, 2019

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SubaruNet Annoucement (E

This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.

16-156-25R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN

This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the orignal bulletin.)

01-167-08R

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

16-156-25R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN

This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.

SubaruNet Announcement (R

POWER TRAIN

This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

07-240-26R

This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru Crosstrek by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026800—
2025430044.0
20241082055.2
2023320046.9
2022290042.1
20211121048.7
2020680043.4
20192837051.9
20181945052.1
2017941042.5
20161311040.4
2015171031.0
2014Viewing161044.0
2013251041.7
2012200—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.