2014 Subaru Crosstrek Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2014 Subaru Crosstrek, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU CROSSTREK. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE DEALER (DELLA SUBARU, 5105 U.S. AVE, PLATTSBURGH, NY 12901, (518) 324-8400) DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE, ALL MY DASH LIGHTS WENT ON, & THE CAR STARTED BUCKING LIKE AN UNBROKEN HORSE AT 70 MILES AN HOUR WHILE I WAS SURROUNDED BY TRACTOR TRAILERS. I MANAGED TO GET HOME BY SWITCHING THE CAR TO MANUAL SHIFTING. TAKING THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALER, I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT: 1. THAT RODENTS HAD EATEN PARTIALLY THROUGH MY SPEED SENSOR WIRE AND IT FINALLY COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SPEED SENSOR WIRE IS WHAT TELLS THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT. 2. THAT THEY SEE THIS PROBLEM AT LEAST 1 TO 2 TIMES A DAY!! 3. THAT THE SENSOR WIRE IS COATED WITH PEANUT OIL!!! (ARE YOU KIDDING ME?) 4. THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY 6 YEAR, 600,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY PURCHASED IN ADDITION TO THE VEHICLE. AND YES, THE WIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE EXACT SAME WIRE WHICH THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. THE DEALER'S SOLUTION: MOTHBALLS AROUND MY CAR EVERY TIME I PARK ANYWHERE OR URINATE AROUND MY CAR. HUMANS ARE APPARENTLY THE BEST 'PREDATOR' TO DETER RODENTS. MY 16 YEAR OLD SON IS LEARNING TO DRIVE & I HAD BEEN TEACHING HIM TO DRIVE ON MY SUBARU BELIEVING IT TO BE THE SAFER OF MY FAMILY'S VEHICLES. HE WOULD HAVE PANICKED ON THE HIGHWAY IF THAT HAPPENED TO HIM AND SOMEONE WOULD BE HURT, IF NOT DEAD. AS IT WAS, WITH 20 YEARS PLUS EXPERIENCE DRIVING, IT WAS STILL A SHOCK AND HAD THE TRACTOR TRAILER I PASSED RIGHT BEFORE THE CAR WENT CRAZY NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION OR BEEN TIRED, THAT TRUCK WOULD HAVE HIT MY CAR AT 70 MILES AN HOUR. UNFORTUNATELY, MY 'DAMAGES' FROM THE ORDEAL ARE ONLY MY $100 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE AND SOME TIME OFF WORK, SO I DON'T MAKE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A SUIT AGAINST SUBARU. THE CONCERN IS IN WEIGHING COST VERSUS BENEFITS, THE CAR MANUFACTURERS WILL WAIT TO CHANGE ANYTHING UNTIL ENOUGH PEOPLE GET HURT OR DIE TO MAKE IT COST EFFECTIVE TO CHANGE THEIR PRACTICES. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
ON NOVEMBER 11TH, 2017 AT 12:30AM A POLICE OFFICER WOKE US UP TO INFORM US THAT OUR HAD SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET, TURNED OFF, AND NOT MOVING. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 HOURS BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RULED THAT IT WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE AND NOT ARSON. THE FIRE ALSO TOTALED THE CAR THAT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF IT. THE REASON FOR THE FIRE IS CURRENTLY UNKNOWN ALTHOUGH THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS ASSIGNING AN INVESTIGATOR TO FOLLOW UP ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A PRE-OWNED LEASE AND HAD 53,000 MILES ON IT. WE ALSO HAD ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PREFORMED AND OIL CHANGES EVERY 4,500 MILES. THE POLICE REPORT FOR THIS CASE IS THROUGH THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA POLICE DEPARTMENT - INCIDENT # 17-142429.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU CROSSTREK. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE DEALER (DELLA SUBARU, 5105 U.S. AVE, PLATTSBURGH, NY 12901, (518) 324-8400) DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
ON NOVEMBER 11TH, 2017 AT 12:30AM A POLICE OFFICER WOKE US UP TO INFORM US THAT OUR HAD SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET, TURNED OFF, AND NOT MOVING. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 HOURS BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RULED THAT IT WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE AND NOT ARSON. THE FIRE ALSO TOTALED THE CAR THAT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF IT. THE REASON FOR THE FIRE IS CURRENTLY UNKNOWN ALTHOUGH THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS ASSIGNING AN INVESTIGATOR TO FOLLOW UP ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A PRE-OWNED LEASE AND HAD 53,000 MILES ON IT. WE ALSO HAD ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PREFORMED AND OIL CHANGES EVERY 4,500 MILES. THE POLICE REPORT FOR THIS CASE IS THROUGH THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA POLICE DEPARTMENT - INCIDENT # 17-142429.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
IT IS OCTOBER 2018 AND I HAVE REPLACED MY HEADLIGHTS THREE TIMES SINCE FEBRUARY 2018. THE LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY BURN OUT. I HAVE READ FORUMS ONLINE OF OTHERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS, AS WELL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BY ME AT 24K MILES I HAVE DRIVEN NOW TO 70K MILES AND NEED 2 NEW FRONT AXELS. I HAVE BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 3 HOURS AND THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 DIFFERENT REPLACEMENT AXELS ON THE LEFT SIDE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS CAR HAS GIVEN ME ISSUES BUT BEING LESS THAN 100K MILES AND NEEDING 2 NEW AXLES?? THAT IS INSANE. THE CAR CLICKS WHEN I TURN AND MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HOOD OPENED ON MY 2014 SUBARU CROSSTREK WHILE DRIVING CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. CURIOUS ABOUT OTHER REPORTS AND WHO TO CONTACT AT SUBARU?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .