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2014 Subaru Xv Crosstrek

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2014 Subaru Xv Crosstrek do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 78.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

51 reports with mileage · 30 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

81 reports
5,000 miles · Jun 29, 2015
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU XV CROSSTREK. WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE BEAM. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ODI #10730961

3,000 miles · Jun 23, 2015
Electrical System

RODENTS DESTROYED A WIRE ASSOCIATED WITH MY POWER STEERING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THEY PROVIDED A RENTAL. THE NEXT NIGHT THE SAME WIRE WAS AGAIN DESTROYED BY RODENTS. AGAIN THE POWER STEERING WAS DISABLED. AT THAT POINT I SENSED SOMETHING WAS AMISS, SO I FILED A REPORT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE D…

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RODENTS DESTROYED A WIRE ASSOCIATED WITH MY POWER STEERING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THEY PROVIDED A RENTAL. THE NEXT NIGHT THE SAME WIRE WAS AGAIN DESTROYED BY RODENTS. AGAIN THE POWER STEERING WAS DISABLED. AT THAT POINT I SENSED SOMETHING WAS AMISS, SO I FILED A REPORT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE DEALER AND DOING SOME RESEARCH IT BECAME APPARENT THAT 100% OF THE WIRES IN MY VEHICLE ARE INSULATED WITH A SOY BASED MATERIAL. THIS INCLUDES WIRING RELATED TO VITAL SAFETY SYSTEMS LIKE AIRBAGS. INSULATING AUTOMOBILE WIRES WITH SOY, ESPECIALLY THOSE WIRES RELATED TO SAFETY EQUIPMENT, IS AN ENGINEERING DISGRACE. RODENTS HAVE ALWAYS HAD A TENDENCY TO CHEW ON WIRING. THEREFORE, USING THE SAME PRODUCT FOUND IN COMMERCIAL RODENT FOOD TO INSULATE VITAL AUTOMOBILE WIRING IS OUTRAGEOUS. I NOW HAVE A BRAND NEW CAR THAT I CAN'T TRUST TO START IN THE MORNING, FUNCTION CORRECTLY, OR PROTECT ME IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10726718

7,457 miles · May 26, 2015
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

I WAS IN A CIRCULAR DRIVEWAY OF A LARGE APARTMENT COMPLEX GETTING READY TO PARK AND WAIT FOR AN INDIVIDUAL. THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME SO I WAS PREPARING TO PARK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR WENT FULL THROTTLE. IT DID NOT RESPOND TO PRESSING ON THE BRAKE. I HAD THE CHOICE OF EITHER HITTING THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME OR TURN…

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I WAS IN A CIRCULAR DRIVEWAY OF A LARGE APARTMENT COMPLEX GETTING READY TO PARK AND WAIT FOR AN INDIVIDUAL. THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME SO I WAS PREPARING TO PARK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR WENT FULL THROTTLE. IT DID NOT RESPOND TO PRESSING ON THE BRAKE. I HAD THE CHOICE OF EITHER HITTING THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME OR TURNING INTO A 15 INCH VERTICAL ROCK WALL WHICH SERVED AS A RETAINING WALL FOR A RAISED BED AND WAS ABOUT 10 FEET TO MY RIGHT. I CHOSE THE LATTER. THE CAR WAS GOING SO FAST THAT THE FRONT TWO WHEELS CLIMBED THE VERTICAL WALL AND THE TWO FRONT TIRES ENDED IN THE RAISED BED. THE LEFT HEAD LIGHT HIT A CORNER POST AND THE CAR STOPPED. IT WAS THE SCARIEST 5 SECONDS OF MY LIFE. I HAVE A GOOD DRIVING RECORD BUT KNOW THAT I AM NOT BEYOND DRIVER'S ERROR. HOWEVER I AM CONVINCED IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE WHEN THE CAR WAS HARDLY MOVING, THE WEATHER PERFECT, THE ONLY EXPLANATION FOR THE ACCIDENT IS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION BY THE VEHICLE ITSELF. THIS WAS THE 7TH SUBARU OWNED BY MY HUSBAND OR ME. I AM A FAN OF THE BRAND AND KNOW THE CAR WELL. IF I HAD WANTED THE CAR TO CLIMB THAT VEHICLE WALL I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IT. I AM JUST VERY FORTUNATE THAT I DID NOT HIT ANYONE ELSE OR HURT MYSELF. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. DAMAGES TOTALED ALMOST $8000 AND MAINLY CONSISTED OF REPAIRING THE HOOK, FENDER, DRIVER'S DOOR, HEADLIGHTS, GRILL, AND RADIATOR. FOLLOWING THE REPAIR MY INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE CAR TO MY SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHERE DIAGNOSTICS WERE DONE AND SEVERAL FIELD TESTS CONDUCTED. NO PROBLEM WAS DETECTED. BECAUSE I DID NOT TRUST THE VEHICLE I TRADED IT BACK WITH FULL DISCLOSURE AT A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND BROUGHT A SLIGHTLY USED 2015 FORESTER. I ALSO FILED A REPORT WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA.

NHTSA ODI #10721509

10,000 miles · May 13, 2015
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilityVisibility/wiper

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 TH…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10716362

2,461 miles · May 5, 2015
Service BrakesCrash

I BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE AND WAS IN REVERSE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ON THE DRIVEWAY WAITING FOR THE GARAGE DOOR TO CLOSE. FOR SOME REASON I CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND STARTED GOING FORWARD. I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED, BUT NOT BEFORE HITTING THE THE GARAGE DOOR. I THEN PUT TH…

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I BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE AND WAS IN REVERSE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ON THE DRIVEWAY WAITING FOR THE GARAGE DOOR TO CLOSE. FOR SOME REASON I CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND STARTED GOING FORWARD. I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED, BUT NOT BEFORE HITTING THE THE GARAGE DOOR. I THEN PUT THE SELECTOR ROD IN REVERSE. THE CAR PROCEEDED TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY DECLINE INTO THE STREET. I TRIED TO BRAKE, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CAR STOPPED ONLY BECAUSE I PUT THE SELECTOR INTO DRIVE. I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED BY ITSELF AND THE GEAR SELECTOR IN DRIVE. I COULD NOT CHANGE THE GEAR UNTIL I REACHED DOWN AND PULLED THE BRAKE PEDAL UP FROM ITS DEPRESSED POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714612

14,200 miles · Feb 4, 2015
Steering

I HAVE A 2014 SUBARU CROSSTREK (14K MILES) AND MY STEERING WHEEL WILL FEEL LIKE IT LOST CONTACT (DEAD SPOT) WITH THE STEERING RACK FOR A SECOND OR TWO. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND I CAN'T REPRODUCE FOR THE DEALER SERVICE TECHS. AT TIMES GET FUNKY VIBRATIONS LIKE A STRUT BOUNCE FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL OR EXCESSIVE SIDE TO …

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I HAVE A 2014 SUBARU CROSSTREK (14K MILES) AND MY STEERING WHEEL WILL FEEL LIKE IT LOST CONTACT (DEAD SPOT) WITH THE STEERING RACK FOR A SECOND OR TWO. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND I CAN'T REPRODUCE FOR THE DEALER SERVICE TECHS. AT TIMES GET FUNKY VIBRATIONS LIKE A STRUT BOUNCE FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL OR EXCESSIVE SIDE TO SIDE YAW MOTION AND THEN STEERING WHEEL ROCKS (LEFT TO RIGHT), THE ELECTRIC STEERING FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO ADJUST AND THEN GOES NUMB (NO ROAD FEELING) AND RECOVERS, NEVER ANY ERROR DASH LIGHT OR CODE. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE SUBARU DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR TWICE WITH NO TROUBLE FOUND. A SECOND DEALER TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE AND DID NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THAT WITHOUT A TROUBLE LIGHT OR CODE THEY MAY NEVER FIND THE PROBLEM. A THIRD SUBARU DEALER GOT ALL ANTSY WHEN I TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM (LIKE IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE) AND MADE ME OUT OF THE SERVICE AREA BY YELLING, THEY DID NOT HAVE TIME OR TECHS TO TROUBLE SHOOT THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND GOT A COMPLAINT TICKET ON FILE (1-8235180260). I FIND IT ODD THAT A MODERN CAR WITH ELECTRONIC (ELECTRIC) STEERING SYSTEM HAS NO STRESS TEST DIAGNOSTICS OR A FAIL SAFE TO PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM LOOSING CONTROL. BESIDES THIS INTERMITTENT STEERING ISSUE AND THE BAD SUBARU DEALER SERVICE NETWORK, THE CROSSTREK IS ALSO SCARY TO DRIVE IN HIGH WINDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10681177

15,000 miles · Dec 18, 2014
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU XV CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN AND TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT DID …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU XV CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN AND TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ODI #10667115

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2014
EngineEquipment

2014 SUBARU CROSSTREK VEHICLE CONSUMED OVER FIVE QUARTS OF OIL BEFORE REACHING 9000 MILES*CW THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE DEALER DID NOT INSTALL THE KAYAK RACK SECURELY ON TOP OF THE ROOF. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10653286

1,200 miles · Nov 6, 2014
SteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 SUBARU XV CROSSTREK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS AND BRUISES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 SUBARU XV CROSSTREK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS AND BRUISES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200.

NHTSA ODI #10653031

4,500 miles · Sep 21, 2014
Steering

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, PRIOR TO INCIDENT DATE/MILEAGE, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PULLING TO THE RIGHT SINCE WE TOOK OWNERSHIP ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. MOST RECENTLY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING, HAD LOOKED OVER FOR SOMETHING THAT FELL ON THE SEAT, AND REALIZED SHE WAS HEADING FOR THE CURB WITHOUT KNOWING IT AS IT CONTINUES TO PULL RIGHT. …

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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, PRIOR TO INCIDENT DATE/MILEAGE, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PULLING TO THE RIGHT SINCE WE TOOK OWNERSHIP ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. MOST RECENTLY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING, HAD LOOKED OVER FOR SOMETHING THAT FELL ON THE SEAT, AND REALIZED SHE WAS HEADING FOR THE CURB WITHOUT KNOWING IT AS IT CONTINUES TO PULL RIGHT. THIS CAR HAS A TORQUE STEER CONDITION, AND ROUTINELY REQUIRES MORE PRESSURE ON THE WHEEL, TO THE LEFT, TO KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT. ONCE ACCELERATING IT PULLS RIGHT, THEN AS YOU RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR, IT GOES BACK TOWARDS LEFT. IT WILL ALSO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT, WITHOUT ACCELERATION, THOUGH NOT ALWAYS. HAS BEEN IN SHOP 3 TIMES FOR SAME. FIRST TIME WAS TOLD AIR PRESSURE WAS DIFFERENT FROM DELIVERY OF VEHICLE AND ALIGNMENT WAS CORRECT. 2ND TIME THEY SAID IT WASN'T HAPPENING, AND THAT IT WAS ALL OKAY. THIRD TIME THEY SAID THE REAR ALIGNMENT WAS OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL APPEARS TO BE SLIGHTLY OFF AS WELL. IN ADDITION, THE CAR MAKES A SMALL THUMPING SOUND, COMING FROM RIGHT FRONT WHEEL/TIRE AREA, WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS. LASTLY, THE BODY MOLDING ON THE LEFT SIDE, UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR, KEEPS PULLING AWAY FROM THE CAR. WAS JUST SERVICED FOR SAME, WITH NEW CLIPS AND MOLDING, AND IT IS WORSE THAN WHEN IT WENT IT. TO ME, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS CAR WAS EITHER IN AN ACCIDENT (BOUGHT IT NEW) AND FIXED BEFORE DELIVERY (OR) THAT IT IS BENT AND THUS NOTHING IS LINING UP RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637868

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.