2014 Subaru Xv Crosstrek Problems

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.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Subaru Crosstrek on May 22, 2026. The sale was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was recorded at 77,441. The contact later purchased a CARFAX report which was reported at 214,767 in February 2026. The contact reported the information to the local authorities.

The clutch throw out bearing and clutch needs to be replaced at 54,000 miles because of failure. This is a $2000 repair! This is a KNOWN issue, why isn’t this a recall?

On June 11, 2021, my wife and I were driving our 2014 Subaru Crosstrek (120,000 miles) from Milwaukee to Manitowish Waters, WI. About 20 miles north of Milwaukee on I-41 Northbound, my wife was driving at 70 mph when suddenly we both noticed a strong lurching from the CVT transmission. This was followed a few seconds later by a complete lockup of all four wheels on our car. Fortunately this did not happen in the left lane or we would've been in a terrible accident. My wife managed to steer the skidding car onto the highway shoulder until it came to a rest. The engine was still running. The transmission was completely dead. We called a towing company to tow the car to Sommers Subaru in Mequon WI. They diagnosed the problem as sudden catastrophic transmission failure and told us that the 2014 Crosstrek had tons of problems with the CVT. We told the service department that we could have been seriously injured or killed had my wife not been driving in the right lane of the interstate. We paid $7,800 for a remanufactured CVT as the power train was out of warranty. I have seen one other report of catastrophic CVT failure on your website involving a 2014 Crosstrek (Danbury CT). I'm sure there are others out in the world who have also suffered this, and God knows how many may have resulted in accidents with injuries or death. Perhaps they did not know to contact NHTSA with their experiences. I pray that you will initiate an investigation into this issue and force Subaru USA to issue a recall on their 2014 Crosstreks to replace the transmissions that are the source of these frightening incidents. Thank you.

I am reporting a complete engine failure on my 2014 Subaru Crosstrek at 140,000 miles due to a valve spring issue that appears to match Subaru’s Recall WTY-84 (NHTSA Campaign 18V772000). I checked my VIN and it currently shows no open recalls, but I’ve reviewed Subaru’s own documentation that lists 2013–2016 Crosstreks as affected by this defect. My vehicle clearly falls within that production range and has now suffered the exact failure described in that recall — a fractured valve spring causing a complete engine malfunction. I never received a recall notice, and when I contacted Subaru, they acknowledged the VIN wasn’t included in the recall despite the year, make, model, and symptoms matching exactly. This raises concern that the recall scope is too narrow and is excluding other affected vehicles. This failure created a safety issue due to sudden engine loss while driving and has led to significant repair costs that I believe should have been prevented. I am asking NHTSA to investigate whether additional VINs — including mine — should be added to the recall to prevent further safety risks for other Subaru owners in the same situation.

I have been getting my 2014 Subaru Crosstrek serviced at Continental Subaru in Anchorage, Alaska for the last 4.5 years. I initially thought that they were an honest dealer/mechanic. I originally bought my Subaru in California and drove it up to Anchorage and it has been here ever since. My car burns oil very quickly. I mentioned this several times and the dealer always said it wasn't that big of an issue. Between oil changes I frequently had to add a couple of quarts of oil in addition to what they added during the oil changes because the car was burning so much oil. Recently in the last year, Continental Subaru told me my spark plugs were bad. I brought the car in because my cylinders were misfiring. They replaced the spark plugs. However a month later the issue still persisted. I called Subaru and had them replace the spark plugs again. At this point they said it was just the spark plugs. The issue persisted. I took my Subaru to a local mechanic this time since I felt like Continental was not being honest in their inspection of my car. Turns out the problem is much worse than Subaru was letting on for so many years. My car burns a lot of oil. which is a manufacturing issue. They continually told me it wasn't an issue. Probably because my car was still under warranty. Now that my car is not under warranty they finally admit that there are a lot of underlying issues. Except now I have to pay out of pocket because the car is now out of warranty. Since the car burns oil at such a fast rate, the head gaskets have warped. The valve cover gaskets need to be replaced and are leaking oil into my spark plugs and my coils. So now that my car is out of warranty suddenly I have to pay out of pocket almost $9000 to get the valve cover gaskets, head gaskets, spark plugs, coils, engine harness, all replaced. The variable valve timing is leaking. And there is internal mixing of oil and coolant in the motor. They have been extremely dishonest with me for years. I want a recall.

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.

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

The car had a front collision and the air bags did not deploy.

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

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.

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.

Started the car and a warning light came on and the steering froze. I turned it off for the day. The next day I started it and it didn’t freeze again. I’m concerned that while driving the steering will lock up and cause an accident and possible injury or kill me. My uncle reached out to Subaru of America. They didn’t offer any help. They just said take it in at your own expense. We were quoted over the phone approximately $2000 to repair.My uncle researched this issue. This locking steering problem has been a big problem with the Subaru Crosstrek subjecting it to recalls. I believe Subaru should repair this safety issue.

The vehicle had 51666 miles on it when I last serviced it for an oil change in Oct. of 2021. The owner puts very few miles on the vehicle. The vehicle would be available for inspection by your agency. At this time, no specific component has been identified in the intermittent failure. 2016 and newer Subaru's have recalls on similar symptoms. Owner complaint is that the power steering intermittently stops working and the steering wheel is very hard to turn if it can be turned at all due to the fact the owner is 80+ years old. Subaru vehicles from 2016 and up have had this issue and recalls have been issued on them, but not on this model year. Owner stated today that the problem has only occurred so far on initial start-up, and one time, once the key was cycled start, then off and back to start again then the power steering worked. She said the p/s warning light came on, and then went off, but I cannot verify that at this point. Warning lamps on IP's do come on during the key on to start on the ignition switch start process, so this may be part of normal IP function. I am an auto repair shop owner and have grave concerns that this failure may happen while the customer is driving down the road, and if approaching a turn and the power steering locks up, they could die due to the inability to safely maneuver out of traffic and get off the road or miss a bend in the highway. The customer brought the car in once, and I could not re-create the problem cold or warm. I am currently waiting for the dealer in Green Bay to call me back with more information as the nearest dealer from the customer's residence is a 170 mile round trip. At this point, it has not been back to the dealer for inspection for the p/s system, and I am awaiting call back today from Bergstrom Subaru in Green Bay. Bergstrom did confirm the recall for a brake light switch was completed previously by them, and there were no other campaigns or recalls listed in their computer records.

I was driving to a job sight from Houston to Corpus Christi. About 10 min from the job sight I here a loud pop on top of my roof. I opened up my sunroof viser to see what had happened. The glass broke. Nothing hit the glass. It just broke! Luckly I had the roof viser closed when it happened.There are thousands of forums stating the same exact thing. For reference, https://www.subaruxvforum.com/

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS OCCASIONALLY FAIL TO WORK AT NIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, EVEN THOUGH THE SWITCH IS ON. THE CAR HAS RUNNING LIGHTS THAT FUNCTION AT ALL TIMES. ON THE ONE HAND, THE COMBINATION ALLOWS OTHER DRIVERS TO SEE US. ON THE OTHER HAND, IT MAKES IT BARELY POSSIBLE FOR US TO SEE LANE MARKS AND PEDESTRIANS.

The contact owns a 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Check Hybrid System" message was displayed on the instrument panel before the hybrid system shut off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with high voltage battery failure due to the battery being filled with water. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,800.

THE REVERSE CAMERA INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT WORK WHEN IT SHOULD. THE SUBARU SERVICE CENTER REPLACED THE AUDIO UNIT 6 MONTHS AGO WHEN THIS CONCERN FIRST STARTED TO HAPPEN BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT WORK SINCE IT STILL HAPPENS. THE DEALER & SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPPORT WERE NOT ABLE TO COME TO A RESOLUTION THE 2ND TIME AROUND FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ELECTED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE DEALER FOR THEM TO TRY AND VERIFY & DIAGNOSE BUT THEY REFUSE TO KEEP IT LONGER THAN ONE WEEK. IT IS GETTING FRUSTRATING AS WHEN THE CAMERA IS MOST NEEDED, IT DOES NOT WORK. THANKFULLY THERE HAVE BEEN NO INJURIES OR COLLISIONS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM & I AM 100 PERCENT AWARE THAT THIS SYSTEM IS JUST AN "AID" & NOT TO BE RELIED ON 100 PERCENT WHEN BACKING THE VEHICLE UP.

Metal Frame of side torso area of seat wore through foam. very sharp and painful could possibly cut skin and impact in crash could be medically dangerous.

THE DRIVER HEADREST. I AM A 72 YEAR OLD DRIVER WHO IS 5'. I JUST PURCHASED THIS USED CAR ON 9/4/15, HAVE GONE MAYBE 20 MILES SO FAR, AND MY NECK IS KILLING ME. THE HEADREST JUST DOSEN'T HIT THE BACK OF MY HEAD OR TOP OF MY HEAD AT ANY POINT THAT IS COMFORTABLE AND NOW, SO SOON, MY NECK HURTS! I FEEL LESS IN CONTROL OF THIS CAR BECAUSE I AM ALREADY ADAPTING BY LEANING FORWARD SLIGHTLY SO THAT THIS THING IS NOT BUMPING MY NECK/HEAD. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL AT THIS POINT, I CAN'T TILT HEADREST BACK, ONLY UP AND DOWN....AND NO HEIGHT ACCOMMODATES ME.

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.

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS OCCASIONALLY FAIL TO WORK AT NIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, EVEN THOUGH THE SWITCH IS ON. THE CAR HAS RUNNING LIGHTS THAT FUNCTION AT ALL TIMES. ON THE ONE HAND, THE COMBINATION ALLOWS OTHER DRIVERS TO SEE US. ON THE OTHER HAND, IT MAKES IT BARELY POSSIBLE FOR US TO SEE LANE MARKS AND PEDESTRIANS.

While driving on highway the engine died, I was able to pull over and stop safely. The engine turned over when I turned the key but would not start. The fuel gauge showed one full bar of fuel and the fuel mileage reading showed 60 miles till empty. I contacted roadside assistance and after 2 hours was able to put 4 gallons of fuel in the car. The car started normally and I was able to drive to gas station and fill up. The fuel gauge had never failed to accurately show the fuel in my car and the mileage range till empty was always accurate. I do not trust my cars fuel gauge anymore. I was lucky not to be in the city in rush hour and stuck in traffic. I will contact Subaru to report the problem.

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.

Passenger side seatbelt stopped locked up and stopped retracting from the device that rolls up the strap into the box.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 SUBARU HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS DISTRACTED AND HIT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT THE THEM. THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE CONTACT IN PLACE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HIT THEIR STERNUM INTO THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE CONTACT INJURY TO A BROKEN STERNUM AND A FEW BROKEN RIBS AS WELL AS BRUISED KNEES. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY PERSON INJURED AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE HOSPITAL A COUPLE DAYS LATER TO BE TREATED FOR THEIR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO THEIR RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON A 34 DEGREE DAY ON A CLEAR ROAD, WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ROOF. WE PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD SPONTANEOUSLY RUPTURED AND EXPLODED OUTWARD. LUCKILY THE SLIDING DOOR TO THE SUN ROOF WAS CLOSED. WHEN EXAMINING THE SUN ROOF, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING HITTING THE CAR. IN FACT THE ROOF RACK BAR WAS RIGHT OVER THE NEW "HOLE" IN THE GLASS SUNROOF AND WOULD HAVE PROTETED THE GLASS FROM A FALLING OBJECT. THE SUNROOF WAS PUCKERED "OUT" AND GLASS WAS SCATTERED ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR NOT WITHIN THE SUNROOF COMPARTMENT. IT APPEAR TO HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WITHOUT EXTERNAL DAMAGE.

HOOD LATCH DISENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TRAVELING 60MPH ON A HIGHWAY. THIS CAUSED SEVERE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD DAMAGE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF VISIBILITY. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY ENDED IN FATALITY.

AROUND SEPT. 2019 MY 2014 SUBARU CROSSTREK STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE WHEN I MADE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN FROM A STOP. MY SUBARU HAD 47,000 MILES ON IT. THE NOISE CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND IT STARTED HAVING A VIBRATION IN IT. ITS NOW STARTING TO CATCH WHEN YOU MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN FROM A STOP. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD MY CV AXLES ARE BAD AND THAT'S CAUSING THE PROBLEM.