Owners have filed 114 complaints
about the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek with NHTSA between 2014 and 2026.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 48
Against the median year of the Subaru XV Crosstrek. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
19.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 66
39% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2014 compares with every other Subaru XV Crosstrek
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
34.2%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
1013.9%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
1013.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1115.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1115.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
1115.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1318.1%
150,000+ miles
34.2%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek SUV AWD
15.1% risk
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2014peak 5Aug 2026
Recalls on the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2024546499,490 units in Canada
Label
Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" appear in English only, when they should be listed as "Tires/Pneus", "Rims/Jantes", "Front/Avant" and "Rear/Arriere". Canadian regulations require this information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: These small errors do not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. Subaru has corrected the compliance label for all new vehicles.
Recall 2019104135,814 units in Canada
Brakes
Issue: On certain vehicles, the brake lamp switch could fail. This would cause the brake lamps not to turn on when the brakes are applied. Depending on the model, this could cause an inability to shift from park or to start using the push-button ignition. This may also cause problems with the following: anti-lock brake system (ABS), vehicle dynamics control (VDC), and/or Eyesight system. Safety Risk: If the brake lights do not work, a following driver may not to recognize that a vehicle ahead is braking, increasing the risk of crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have the brake lamp switch replaced.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Aledo, TX1 injured
AIR BAGS
The car had a front collision and the air bags did not deploy.
NHTSA complaint #11727739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington, MOCrash
ENGINE
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 complaint #11419042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington, MOCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
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 complaint #11419042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington, MOCrash
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 complaint #11419042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesCape Coral, FLCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11400175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesCape Coral, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11400175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Eugene, OR
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11756388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 complaint #11747006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11747006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
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 complaint #11747006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11740610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aledo, TX1 injured
AIR BAGS
The car had a front collision and the air bags did not deploy.
NHTSA complaint #11727739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CA
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #11690095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
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 complaint #11690095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Searcy, AR
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11672037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When attempting to put the car in park, the key will not release and is stuck. Incident happens often in recent past days. Key will not release from ignition.
NHTSA complaint #11658836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When attempting to put the car in park, the key will not release and is stuck. Incident happens often in recent past days. Key will not release from ignition.
NHTSA complaint #11658836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anchorage, AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11641173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anchorage, AK
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11641173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Key was stuck in the ignition and left me stranded unable to leave my car. I took the car to the Subaru dealership for them to assess and repair the issue. During this time the service desk confirmed it was a known issue with the CVT park range switch. They advised me that Subaru of America had done a warranty extension but that I was now outside of the time window for it to be covered. Upon further research this was an issue that was all over the Subaru forum boards with similar issues. I contacted Subaru of America in order to be reimbursed and was offer a $100 as a goodwill gesture and they kept referring to the warranty being extended to cover the issue. Subaru of America failed to issue a recall and instead did the "secret warranty extension" to avoid having to inform their customers and impact their reliability numbers. This is extremely concerning that a brand that is known for reliability would knowingly behave in this way and has me questioning what other items have they done this "secret warranty extension" on instead of following the recall process.
NHTSA complaint #11630054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Los Angeles, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Horn does not work. No warning indicating malfunctioned horn. Unable to signal other vehicles to prevent car crash. The broken horn has been inspected by mechanic.
NHTSA complaint #11619128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Felton, CA
SEAT BELTS
Passenger side seatbelt stopped locked up and stopped retracting from the device that rolls up the strap into the box.
NHTSA complaint #11613638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Collins, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical system and engine flickers on and off or sometimes dies entirely. The trigger is unknown and the underlying cause is unknown. It is unsafe because this has occurred while the vehicle is moving. The problem was confirmed and reproduced by a Subaru service center. They were unable to diagnose the issue. There is no warning when it will happen.
NHTSA complaint #11589215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Collins, CO
ENGINE
The electrical system and engine flickers on and off or sometimes dies entirely. The trigger is unknown and the underlying cause is unknown. It is unsafe because this has occurred while the vehicle is moving. The problem was confirmed and reproduced by a Subaru service center. They were unable to diagnose the issue. There is no warning when it will happen.
NHTSA complaint #11589215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
White Bear Lake, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Ignition key keeps intermittently locking into ignition when trying to retrieve key. Putting vehicle in park, key will turn engine off, but then will not turn all the way to release the key. Key has a key fob, vehicle is placed on parking gear. Sometimes restarting vehicle can help, sometimes shifting gears and driving vehicle again can help. Sometimes turning steering wheel helps. Sometimes all you can do is wait a few to five minutes to be able to turn off vehicle and retrieve car. No warning lights. After my warranty expired was when I noticed the problem. Bought vehicle used less than a year ago. It can be a safety risk if I cannot retrieve my key and then anyone could jump in and steal it as their is no other way to lock the vehicle unless I automatically locky myself out.
NHTSA complaint #11580548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dulles, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I started having issues with my car when I could not turn it off -- the key was stuck in the ignition and I was unable to turn the car fully off. This continued to happen and the only fix I found to get the car off was to turn the car back on, shift the gear into drive, then try to turn it off again. Sometimes it would take repeated tries of turning the car on and trying to turn it off. The problems then got worse when I started to have issues starting the car as well; the car would struggle to start and I lost confidence in the vehicle. Every workday I have to drive my car to a location where I have to turn off my vehicle while a security check is performed -- one day I got stuck at this checkpoint when I could not start my car. I was afraid to drive my car, thinking I could get stuck somewhere with it running or with it unable to start. A certified Subaru repair shop confirmed the issue is a known problem with Subaru parts described in a Technical Service Bulletin [XXX] ). There were no warning lights before these problems began and the Subaru dealer told me when they initially ran a diagnostic on the car it came back as having no issues. Since having the part in the gear shifter replaced at personal expense all problems have been resolved. Since Subaru knew of the faulty part in their vehicles, I think they should have issued a recall or at minimum warned their drivers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11568348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Murray, NJ
AIR BAGS
Airbag deployed for no reason, while pulling forward slowly from a parking spot. An airbag that deploys when there is no impact or collision is a clear risk to the safety of the driver, passengers and other drivers on the road.
NHTSA complaint #11559509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Downers Grove, IL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11517342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,600 milesSheffield, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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 complaint #11511551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,600 milesSheffield, MA
SERVICE BRAKES
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 complaint #11511551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bakersfield, CA
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11506602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
