2024 Subaru Crosstrek Problems

What owners reported to NHTSA about the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, its recalls, and what to check before you buy one.

2024 Subaru Crosstrek
Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0
How the 2024 compares

Too new to judge fully

It has been on the road 2 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Crosstrek year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the lights, wipers and visibility.

Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Crosstrek years from 2013 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

Owners have filed 120 complaints with NHTSA about the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. The most reported problem area is the lights, wipers and visibility (34, 28% of complaints), followed by the driver assist systems and the brakes and stability control. That ranks 5th of 12 Crosstrek years from 2013 to 2024 for complaints. It has 2 recalls. Newer cars have had less time to build up complaints, so expect this number to grow.

Complaints120filed with NHTSA
Recalls2for this model year
Crashes103 injuries reported
Fires2reported in complaints

2 of these complaints came from Utah owners.

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Most reported problems

Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek before you buy.

Lights, wipers and visibility

34 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy

Parts named most: Rearview mirrors / devices: exterior (7).

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

Drivers side mirror shakes when in motion mainly on uneven roads, slurry sealed roads and freeway. 4 service visits with parts replaced at each visit - vibration still an issue. 5th appointment with engineer more parts exchanged with a claim of working as designed. Extreme distraction while driving and a safety concern when you can not…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Windshield suddenly and spontaneously cracked, violently and with an explosive sound, due to higher-than-average outside air temperature (100°F, Arizona in July). Vehicle was being driven on a freeway during cross--country trip. Crack occurred in driver's line-of-sight and presented a dangerous driving condition. In service for 2 years…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Driver assist systems

13 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy

Parts named most: Warnings (7), Automatic emergency braking (5).

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

Adaptive cruise control did not disengage when brake pedal was pressed. The cars ahead of me on the highway were coming to a stop, so I tried to veer to the right since the brakes didn't work. The lane assist kept fighting me and wouldn't let me veer off to the right. Almost hit the car in front of me. Now the car is undrivable and needs…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I was driving with my wife when we were making a left turn. The adaptive cruse control came on. It took control of my acceleration, and steering. I got the car under control, but it was too late. I went across the empty parking lot, and almost crashed into the abandoned building.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Brakes and stability control

11 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy

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

My 2024 Subaru Crosstrek with 56k miles on it was driven the day before and operated completely normally with no apparent issues. When I started the car to pull out of a parallel parking spot on a downhill grade with 2 to 3 feet of clearance on either side, several warning lights immediately illuminated on the dashboard. With my foot on…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow down during a turn, the brakes failed to function properly and caused a delay while braking. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the technicians were unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause of…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 21,353 miles

Steering

10 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy

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

After about an hour of driving, the vehicle’s steering wheel required slightly more force to turn when changing direction of travel., almost like it was getting stuck. Once unstuck, the steering wheel would get easier to turn, causing overcorrections in direction of travel. The dealership was unable to recreate the issue, however I…Owner complaint, filed 2026
After driving the vehicle for 30 minutes to an hour in temperatures approximately above 45°F the steering wheel will get "stuck" on center and go loose then tighten again when trying to make minor corrections in steering. Easiest to duplicate on roads with speed limits at or above 55 mph. If temperatures are below 40°F when the vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Wheels and tires

9 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy

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

Falken 225/55R18 tires had to be replaced for $243.80 per tire due to poor tread design that has caused hydroplaining. 09.03.2026Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek equipped with Yokohama Tires, Tire Line: Geolandar Go, Tire Size: 225/60/R17, DOT Number: [XXX]. The contact stated that while adding fluid to a reservoir under the hood, the contact discovered that the four tires were dry-rotted on the inside of the tread. The vehicle was taken to the local…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 10,100 miles

Electrical system

8 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy

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

While driving on the [XXX] my car lost power while in drive. I coasted onto the should. I could not get the car out of gear or put the car in park. I chocked the rear tire. I opened the hood. The positive cable had popped off the battery post. I got a piece of paper and created a temporary shim. The car drove home to where i found out on…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Phone charger does not work. Power was out and I could not charge phone. Best I've ever got was 1% on a 1 hour drive. The phone however gets extremely hot. Anecdotally, my usb port also didn't work leaving me with no way to have a charged phone during a prolonged power outage. The wireless charger is a widespread common problem. Below, I…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Engine and cooling

7 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy

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

Car was driving at highway speed when I noticed that the car was shifting. Started driving up the hill and then a loud clanking noise started. Pulled over and put the car in park only then did the oil pressure light come on. Metal shavings were found in the oil. The number 3 rod bearing broke cause catastrophic engine failure. Mechanic…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that after driving and parking the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle, and the vehicle suddenly caught on fire under the hood. The vehicle had received an oil change three days prior to the failure.…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 11,000 miles

Cruise control and acceleration

5 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy

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 owns a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while driving with the cruise control activated and attempting to overtake another vehicle, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, after overtaking the other vehicle, the vehicle independently started braking and slowed down to the preset cruising speed. The…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 8,000 miles
The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration almost causing the driver to lose control of the steering wheel before stopping the vehicle. The vehicle was later towed back to the dealer who was unable to…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 4,000 miles

Air bags

4 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy

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

Passenger Airbag does not turn on when someone who weighs 100 pounds or less occupies the front passenger seat. This issue also occurs on my 2024 Subaru Legacy Vin # [XXX] . IT also occurred on the loaner car the dealer gave me which was a 2025 Subaru Crosstrek. I asked two Subaru dealers, Pinebelt in Lakewood, NJ and Lester Glenn in…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The passenger front airbag does not always activate when my wife (who weighs [XXX][) sits in the seat. Car has been brought to the selling Dealer (Lester Glenn Subaru, Toms River, NJ). They state that the weight sensor under the front seat is calibrated correctly and there is nothing they can do about this issue. When I sit in the front…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Fuel system

3 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy

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

At 26,453 miles, the check engins lights all came on and the vehicle wouldn't run. It was determined that the intake valves had excessive carbon build-up on them. The issue was repaired by the dealer. I contacted subaru of america to advise them of this situation, stating that the issue will happen again because nothing was done to…Owner complaint, filed 2026
At 45,261 miles, the check engine lights came on and the vehicle would barely start and run. It was towed to a dealer and was again diagnosed with carbon build-up on the intake valves. This is the second occurrence in just over a year. It was repaired, and again, other than the repair, nothing was done to prevent this from happening a…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Transmission and drivetrain

3 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy

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

I purchased the vehicle used on 8/7/24 with 4,507 miles on it. On 8/13/24 while stopped at a red light in the fast lane, the car failed to accelerate and all the warning lights on the dashboard illuminated including the AT oil temp light which according the to owner's manual indicates the transmission. It stands for automatic…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The vehicle is a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek with ongoing and unresolved safety-related defects. The vehicle has been taken in for multiple repair attempts, including a total of five diagnostic inspections, but the issue remains unresolved. The vehicle experiences sudden hesitation, loss of acceleration, and failure to respond properly while…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Suspension

2 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy

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

There are 2 issues that I have noticed since I bought my car from a subaru dealership 10 DAYS ago. the first is that upon driving at highway speeds (over 50 mph) It feels like the car is jerky and pulls in a shaky rocking manner. this happened continuously, when I was using the cruise control and when I was not using the cruise control.…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The low tire pressure light came on and noted the left front tire had 27 pounds of pressure. Inspection revealed tire cord damage only on the inside edge of both front tires. This is clearly a suspension defect as the car only has 29000 miles. The rear tires have been checked to have 6.5/32 and the front are less than that. Tire wear…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Seats and seat belts

1 complaintBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy

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

The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle while having the right of way. The contact stated that the other vehicle was making a left turn when the crash occurred. The contact's vehicle T-Boned the other vehicle. The contact stated that the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 26,656 miles

Body, doors and structure

1 complaintRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy

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

My 2024 Subaru Crosstrek was parked in front of my house for 3 weeks in extreme heat. We drove it today to get it driven & we kept hearing wind. I slid open the sunroof inside piece & the sunroof glass was shattered due the vehicle doors being closed for 3 weeks in Las Vegas summer heat. On average the outside heat has been 105. I did…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Subaru Crosstrek complaints by year

Compare the 2024 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.

Compare with similar 2024 small SUVs

Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.

CarVs. its other yearsRecallsMost reported
2024 Subaru CrosstrekToo new to judge2Lights, wipers and visibility
2024 Honda HR-VToo new to judge4Steering
2024 Kia SoulToo new to judge0Electrical system
2024 Jeep CompassToo new to judge0Driver assist systems
Compare side by side

2024 Subaru Crosstrek recalls

This is every recall issued for the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.

Transmission and drivetrain Driveshaft

Nov 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V754000
Risk
A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.

Electrical system Instrument cluster / panel

Aug 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V551000
Risk
A short circuit may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the harness and install an additional clamp on the steering beam bracket.
Full recall summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek and Impreza vehicles. Due to insufficient clearance, the instrument panel harness may contact the steering beam bracket, damaging the wire insulation and causing a short circuit.

2024 Subaru Crosstrek questions

What are the most common problems with the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek?

The most reported problem areas on the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek are the lights, wipers and visibility (34 complaints), the driver assist systems (13 complaints) and the brakes and stability control (11 complaints). Within the lights, wipers and visibility, owners most often name the rearview mirrors / devices: exterior.

Is the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek a good year to buy?

Too new to judge fully. It has been on the road 2 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Crosstrek year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the lights, wipers and visibility. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Crosstrek years from 2013 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

How many recalls does the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek have?

NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. The most recent, from Nov 2023, covers the driveshaft. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.

Which Subaru Crosstrek years should I avoid?

The Crosstrek years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2019. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2020. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.

Looking at a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek?

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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.