RoadVitals

2014 Subaru Xv Crosstrek Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints 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.
11
Latest Jun 28, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
14%
of 81 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 Subaru Xv Crosstrek submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesElectrical
Filed Jun 28, 2026

Brake light switch failure. Triggering traction control warning light, hill assist warning light, and abs warning light, and disables cruise control. There was previously a recall (NUMBER: WUE-90 NHTSA ID: 19V-149) for the brake light switch for Subaru models with my production date included, but because Hybrid Crosstrek models were not included, it will not be replaced under recall. I am still experiencing the same issues and cause, but it is not covered.

NHTSA ID
11747006
Incident
May 14, 2026
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Sep 27, 2025

Some times the passenger airbag light comes on and off. This is a reoccurring problem and I don’t see any recalls on this

NHTSA ID
11690095
Incident
Jan 11, 2017
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly, and then decelerated. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while reversing into a parking spot the following day. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 102,600.

NHTSA ID
11511551
Incident
Mar 12, 2023
Mileage
102,600 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 5, 2022

Rear brake rotors and pads are wearing prematurely. Repairs to replace both were done in 2020 with mileage of 50,786. They needed to be done again in 2022 with mileage of only 63,000.

NHTSA ID
11477822
Incident
Aug 4, 2022
Brakes
Filed Dec 16, 2021

Rolling into a stop sign, the brakes did not work and was stuck- extremely difficult to step on. It eventually loosened after about 7 seconds and I was able to stop, but had to run the stop sign and almost hit a car. This occurred when the temperature was about 25 degrees F outside. Upon reading on forums and in a Subaru bulletin (# 06-79-20), it seems like this is a common occurrence for many Subaru owners when the temperature drops.

NHTSA ID
11444051
Incident
Dec 14, 2021
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 17, 2021

Break lights are on, but do not light up when breaking. Changed break lights with many different bulbs, but same problem occurs. Not lighting up when breaking.

NHTSA ID
11421255
Incident
Jun 16, 2021
BrakesEngineFuel system
Filed May 30, 2021
Crash reported

I own a Subaru Crosstrek XV Limited which I purchased new in November 2014. I was in a line of vehicles on a street waiting to enter a business parking lot and drive-thru. There was an incline from the street into the parking lot. The vehicle in front of me reached the top of the incline and turned right into the parking lot. With my foot remaining on the brake, I raised my foot slightly to allow my vehicle to move up the incline, my car suddenly accelerated and crashed into the bumper of the vehicle in front of me. The local police were contacted and a report was made. It was like when the cruise control is engaged and the engine given more power to climb an incline or hill. I don't know what caused this to happen, but am taking it to a local mechanic since the closest Subaru dealer is 75 miles away.

NHTSA ID
11419042
Incident
May 8, 2021
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 19, 2021
Crash reported

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE PARKING. APPLIED BRAKES BUT CAR KEPT ACCELERATING HITTING CARPORT COLUMN AT CANCER CENTER BRINGING ROOF DOWN ONTO CAR. CAR WAS TOTALED, NO INJURIES.

NHTSA ID
11397033
Incident
Feb 15, 2021
Mileage
185,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 15, 2019

BRAKE LIGHTS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE.

NHTSA ID
11196430
Incident
Jan 28, 2014
BrakesElectrical
Filed Dec 28, 2017

THE CAR CANNOT MOVE DUE TO IT IS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE BRAKE LIGHT DOESNT COME ON --BELIEVE IT IS THE BRAKE SWITCH SOMETIME DOESN'T WORK DEALER WONT ADMIT PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
11057238
Incident
Dec 15, 2017
Mileage
32,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 5, 2015
Crash reported

I BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE AND WAS IN REVERSE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ON THE DRIVEWAY WAITING FOR THE GARAGE DOOR TO CLOSE. FOR SOME REASON I CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND STARTED GOING FORWARD. I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED, BUT NOT BEFORE HITTING THE THE GARAGE DOOR. I THEN PUT THE SELECTOR ROD IN REVERSE. THE CAR PROCEEDED TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY DECLINE INTO THE STREET. I TRIED TO BRAKE, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CAR STOPPED ONLY BECAUSE I PUT THE SELECTOR INTO DRIVE. I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED BY ITSELF AND THE GEAR SELECTOR IN DRIVE. I COULD NOT CHANGE THE GEAR UNTIL I REACHED DOWN AND PULLED THE BRAKE PEDAL UP FROM ITS DEPRESSED POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10714612
Incident
May 5, 2015
Mileage
2,461 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .