2015 Subaru Crosstrek Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving 72 MPH, the vehicle stalled and bucked, with a grinding sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. Additionally, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle, and there…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 59,900 miles

I am filing a complaint regarding a major CVT transmission failure in my 2015 Subaru Crosstrek at approximately 117,318 miles. Prior to failure, there were no warning lights, dashboard messages, or significant indications of impending transmission failure. The only noticeable symptom was a slight whistling noise coming from the vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

While driving at normal operating speed, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of engine power with no prior warning. There were no dashboard alerts, warning lights, or check engine indicators before the failure occurred. The vehicle became immediately unsafe to operate and had to be pulled over in a main highway center lane…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Oil leaking into coolant system. Car has been through several repairs but the problem continues even after multiple repairs of possible source of leakage. Potential hazard or car catching on fire with leaking oil fluid.Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 41,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

During a near collision, attempted to warn other driver of the situation, but the Crosstrek horn did not work. This appears to be a common problem with these vehicles, that the horn does not work reliably in all normal steering wheel positions. Given the horn is an essential piece of safety equipment, this is a significant problem.Owner complaint, filed 2024

My vehicle had the recall for Brake Lamp Light Switch in Feb 2019. I went to the Carr Subaru dealership in Portland Oregon to get my recall fixed. They assured me that the work was done and the Brake Lamp Light Switch was replaced. Fast forward to last week when my car suddenly stopped working. The engine would not start and even while…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 41,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

caliper seized and caught on fire, front passenger side. Was told by mechanic second Crosstreck this week with same problem.Owner complaint, filed 2021

Sometimes when pushing the brake pedal the ABS light comes on and will not allow the car to shift from park. Other times may come on while driving. The car only has 25k miles on it. I don't want to drive anywhere and get stuck there nor do I need a brake problem in snow as I live in new york state. After reading online it seems to be not…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 25,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owned a 2015 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while driving 20-25 MPH and making a left in the roundabout of a residential road, she felt a rear impact and all the air bags deployed. The vehicle then accelerated unintendedly, veered to the right, jumped the curb, and crashed into a tree. The brake pedal was depressed but…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 28,000 miles

From a stop or at low speeds, when you press the gas pedal there is a delay of approximately 1.5 seconds before the engine responds. This is particularly dangerous when pulling out into traffic from a driveway, or if you need to quickly maneuver to avoid a collision. Subaru technicians have inspected the vehicle, and they say nothing is…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 52,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 55,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owned a 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek. The contact stated while driving 15 mph, they pulled up to a red light and stopped, when the light turned green the contact was making a right turn when a 26-foot truck ran thru the light and crashed into the front driver side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no warning…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 55,000 miles

Air bag light stayed on after turning the car on and stayed lite while I continued to drive home. No collision or injury to vehicle occurred between the time the car was turned on and then turned off at home. Also no accident has happened in my time owning the vehicle.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 70,115 miles

Parts named most: Body (5).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

While driving on the freeway (no overpasses) my sunroof suddenly exploded. when I was able to stop and look at the damage, the remaining part of the sunroof was arched upward. There was no evidence of an object having hit the glass.Owner complaint, filed 2024

I was driving down the highway, and all of the sudden I heard a loud pop. I pulled to the side of the road and got out to see that me sunroof had exploded.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 45,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2015 subaru xv crosstrek. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v149000 (exterior lighting). The contact stated that the [VIN] exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Mid hudson subaru (1715 u.s. 9, wappingers falls, ny 12590, (845) 296-1152) was contacted and confirmed that…Owner complaint, filed 2019

While in motion at approximately 65mph on the highway hood latch failed and hood flew up and smashed into windshield, shattering glass all over and pushing windshield in towards driver. Front windshield view was completely obstructed and driver was unable to safely pull to shoulder. Vehicle sustained significant damage to hood, hood…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 35,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was driving north on highland avenue, just after 7 am, thursday, july 11, when suddenly the vehicle lost acceleration, the rpms went low, and the vehicle died. No warning lights or indications of a problem before the event. This left me stranded between 35th and 31st street during the busy rush hour period. Unable to restart. Tow into…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 63,450 miles

January 1st 2016 driving back to miami from north carolina on the florida turnpike and near kendall/miami at approximately 40 MPH the gas pedal stopped working while the car was still on, no red lights on the dash board, and after a few seconds the engine shut off. I was in the middle of a construction area at night, in the pouring rain…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 17,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The steering wheel goes to the left so if you take your hands off the wheel for one second it just totally goes to the left. I’m afraid I might get into an accident I’m having it looked at by a Subaru dealer in tomorrow which is February 14th. It’s been doing this for about a year. It didn’t start out as bad as it is now and there were…Owner complaint, filed 2023

During the morning and sometimes in the afternoon as I start the vehicle the steering light comes on and the vehicle is not able to be steered. This has happened multiple times and I brought it to the subaru dealership because the vehicle is still under [VIN] warranty. Last week the dealership called and stated it was repaired, I have…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 5 miles

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

I bought in 2019 4 brand new car tires (Continental TureContact 225/55 R17) at Discount Tires still have receipt. Tires are maintained on a regular bases (rotation and alignment check). I noticed a vibration in my steering wheel and ask my garage to check alignment. He stated alignment is good but he saw on the 2 front tires that there…Owner complaint, filed 2021

At approximately 67,300 miles, while performing routine maintenance, my mechanic discovered that my front wheel bearing set needed replacing. Soon after that, I heard a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. At first, my mechanic couldn't diagnose the problem. When the noise got louder, I returned to my mechanic, and he discovered…Owner complaint, filed 2021

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

Several components' issues and scheduled to take back to Subaru dealer on 12/16/2022. Several times after parking car and getting back in, when shifting to 1st gear to take off, the car goes in reverse instead of forward. Rear backup camera sporadically works. Tire pressure light came on and won't turn off. Front end shakes when braking…Owner complaint, filed 2022

I spilled 3-4 ounces of coffee on my front passenger seat. A short time later, the SRS airbag warning light appeared on the dash and my passenger seat would no longer recognize that a passenger was seated in the passenger seat (passenger airbag off light would not switch to on when a passenger was seated). I called my local subaru…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 59,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

UNKNOWN exact cause. Rear end of vehicle suddenly appears lower than normal. Suspension seems to be issue. Feels as though vehicle lost suspension in rear with no obvious outward cause. Awaiting inspection at dealership. Does not seem safe to drive in current condition with unknown cause of issue at this time. having vehicle towed to…Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2015 subaru crosstrek. While driving 65 MPH, the eyesight driver assist system warning indicator illuminated. The contact drove home, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the indicator dimmed. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to bertera subaru of hartford (111…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 30,000 miles