I am reporting a possible power train/drivetrain issue with a 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness. At steady highway speeds, most noticeably around 72–76 mph under light accelerator load, the vehicle produces a persistent high-frequency ringing/whining tone throughout the cabin. The noise stops when I lift off the accelerator and rarely occurs when traveling downhill, which suggests it may be related to drivetrain load rather than ordinary wind, road, or tire noise. The suspected component or system is UNKNOWN, but based on the operating conditions it may involve the CVT, differential, or related drivetrain/power train components. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The issue has been reproduced and confirmed by a Subaru dealer. The vehicle was previously inspected by the dealer, and the rear differential was replaced during an attempted repair, but the noise persisted. The vehicle was returned for additional diagnosis, and dealership personnel confirmed the same noise. The manufacturer later stated that the condition was considered a normal characteristic after comparison with another like-model Crosstrek Wilderness, but no specific root cause or technical explanation was provided. My safety concern is that a persistent, load-dependent drivetrain noise at highway speeds could indicate abnormal wear, resonance, or mechanical instability in the CVT, differential, or related power train components. If the condition reflects an unresolved defect, it could potentially lead to premature drivetrain failure or loss of power while driving at highway speeds. There have been no warning lamps or dashboard messages associated with the condition. The issue first appeared while the vehicle was still very new and under factory warranty, and it remains unresolved.
NHTSA complaint #11749212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Olympia, WA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Sirius XM advertisement creates an unsafe experience. The only way to safe way close it requires the driver to pull over to touch the “X”, or to risk taking eyes off the road in order to use the interface, including the climate control.
NHTSA complaint #11741717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charleston, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sirius XM radio pop up advertisement disables the touch screen and features until the little red x button is hit in the top right corner away from the driver.
NHTSA complaint #11741737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Francisco, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Subaru’s infotainment system and GPS system has advertising pop ups which cover the map while driving. This has happened multiple times and it is incredibly distracting and dangerous. There is no way to opt out.
NHTSA complaint #11739448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charleston, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
my sunroof exploded. I was on the highway, no trucks around to shed debris, when I heard a pop and then the sound of glass breaking. I was near my home so I got there and then inspected the sunroof. The glass was pushed upward at the center of the sunroof. No rocks inside the interior of the sunroof. This sunroof had only been opened once, when checking operation at the dealership. This car was new and I have had it less than a month. The milage is less than 500 miles.
NHTSA complaint #11734289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrieta, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I noticed that when I am driving on the freeway/highway for extended periods of time (30+ minutes) the wheel will start locking up. It stiffens enough that I have to force the wheel in a different direction. When it occurs there is no warning lights or messages from the car, it just suddenly stiffens. Other than driving on the freeway for 30+ minutes there does not seem to be any particular trigger for it to happen. This is a 2025 subaru crosstrek sport with 14,000 miles that we bought new. I noticed the first instance of it maybe a month into having the car.
NHTSA complaint #11717698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Covington, KY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The infotainment system periodically displays full-screen advertisements for SiriusXM during car operation, interrupting navigation and all other functions that occur on the infotainment system. This was a free trial service that I did not sign up for and has caused my safety to be at risk by interrupting my navigation system at a crucial junction where many navigation instructions needed to be followed one after another, causing my ability to successfully navigate the correct direction to my destination to be interrupted and nearly resulting in an accident with other drivers. This is something that other Subaru owners have also experienced, and there are no warnings or messages prior to the advertisement appearing on the screen. This is absolutely unacceptable and ridiculous that unwanted advertisements can be pushed to the car while it is in motion and during navigation.
NHTSA complaint #11706106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Springs, CO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I got a pop-up message while attempting to back up using my rear backup camera that almost caused an accident. This blocked view of the camera and locked up the entire infotainment system until I could clear it. The pop up was: "Enjoy SiriusXM FREE thru 12/1." This kind of distraction while operating a vehicle that weighs almost a ton while the vehicle is in motion is dangerous and irresponsible. This advertisement disables and interferes with safety features on this vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11703064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hastings on Hudson, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sirius XM advertizing obscures the entire screen making car data and navigation unavailable unless a driver takes their eyes of the road to press a tiny X on a corner. There are some offers when I bought the care where I had to shut the car off to get the ad to disappear. I do not want to have driver distraction from Ads that could lead to an accident or have me pull over in traffic to shut off. Please ask them to stop this behavior
NHTSA complaint #11703109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ayerayer, MA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Infotainment screen pops up ads at random times, whether I'm parked or actively driving. This distraction causes me to look away from the road and figure out how to close it so I can get my GPS back. It is always SiriusXM ads, which I did not agree to be enrolled into and have since cancelled. There is no way to turn off or disable these distractions. They happen roughly once every couple of months.
NHTSA complaint #11701139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brookfield, WI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Pop up ads for SiriusXM while driving are a dangerous distraction. They pop up with a sound from the speakers, making me think somethings wrong with my car and distracting me from the road. It also doesn't close by itself.
NHTSA complaint #11701171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hackettstown, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The drivers side mirror shakes and vibrates during normal local driving on my brand new 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Limited. I brought it in to be fixed and they did work on it but it did not fix the problem. I am have to bring it back a second time. I am reporting this as this is a known issue and Subaru has yet to come up with permanent fix. It makes car shake and provide poor visibility if don't have a clear view to gauge from.
NHTSA complaint #11690481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Byrnes Mill, MO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown: Issue was that something is rolling along the left side of the driver floor board underneath the floor board. First time this happened was after the dealer got into the transmission as I had issues with a clunking noise which is still present but I was advised is normal when putting the vehicle into park from reverse. Took it in for them to inspect - they advised nothing was wrong, and the issue was mysteriously fixed- no more rolling parts under my feet. This time, I took it in for tire rotation and oil change and now it is doing the same thing... something is rolling back and forth on the left side of the driver side floor board. Today, when turning left, whatever component under the floor board is moving, moved from left to right when making that turn. My side mirrors shake noticeably when driving.
NHTSA complaint #11685878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.