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2015 Subaru Xv Crosstrek

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 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

45 reports with mileage · 33 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

20 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2025
StructureUnknown Or Other

Sunroof exploded for no reason Comments: My son was driving on freeway in Durham North Carolina last night, our 2015 Subaru Crosstrek XV Touring’s sunroof just exploded for no reason at [XXX] in [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11679610

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2025
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Pressing the horn button on the steering wheel does not sound the horn. However, pushing the “lock” or “panic” button on the key fob still makes the horn beep. So the horn itself works, but pressing on the steering wheel does absolutely nothing. Other buttons on the steering column still work (cruise control, radio controls, etc…

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Pressing the horn button on the steering wheel does not sound the horn. However, pushing the “lock” or “panic” button on the key fob still makes the horn beep. So the horn itself works, but pressing on the steering wheel does absolutely nothing. Other buttons on the steering column still work (cruise control, radio controls, etc). Only pressing the horn button doesn’t work thus making me unable to alert other drivers of my presence if they are drifting toward me. This has not been evaluated by a mechanic or dealer yet as I do not have the money to do so. However, a simple search on Reddit will show you that many others are experiencing this with their Subaru Crosstreks. There were no symptoms or issues that led to this. It simply stopped working one day. And I am not someone who hits their horn very often so this is not an overuse issue. Once the horn button stopped working on the steering wheel, it has not worked since. I have not had the ability to alert drivers with my horn for over a month.

NHTSA ODI #11653762

Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2023
Unknown Or OtherCrashInjury

Car involved in accident 10/2020( remember this was DURING the COVID “shut down”) Was rear ended … tried to get car fixed. Insurance only wanted to do “cosmetics” nothing underlying ( mechanical… the car started to show signs of the damage …running lights stopped working on rear end ONLY. Breaks started to cease up…. I was a…

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Car involved in accident 10/2020( remember this was DURING the COVID “shut down”) Was rear ended … tried to get car fixed. Insurance only wanted to do “cosmetics” nothing underlying ( mechanical… the car started to show signs of the damage …running lights stopped working on rear end ONLY. Breaks started to cease up…. I was afraid to drive this way… The “eyesight” prevented my vehicle from hitting truck in front of me ( during the accident on 10/2020). I have since had breaks worked on, I have replace light bulbs, I have had turn signal arm replaced, according to Subaru can will not start now. They keep coming up with more for me to pay for and my vehicle is still not running?!? It had always started before going into the shop (even after sitting in a personal garage for over a year) Accident deemed American family insurance insured fault. I have been charged with “at fault”. I was not at fault and have proof from AM FAM insurance indicating they accept 100percent fault. Car currently at Ramsey Subaru.according to them will not start

NHTSA ODI #11514775

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Intermittently, when I go to shut off the engine, I can not remove my key from the ignition. If I put the car back into park a few times, it seems to release the key. This does not happen often, but it has occurred a few times in the past few months.

NHTSA ODI #11450538

1,000 miles · Apr 20, 2021
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

SINCE I BOUGHT THIS 2015 CROSSTREK IN 2015 THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES WHERE I HAVE PULLED OUT AND THE VEHICLE PAUSES. LIKE THERE IS NO POWER OR IT IS TAKING A BREATH. NO MATTER THE PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR IT DOES NOT GO. THEN LIKE A GASP IT STARTS TO PICK UP SPEED. DOES NOT SHUT OFF BUT ZERO POWER. IT HAPPENS REGARDLESS …

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SINCE I BOUGHT THIS 2015 CROSSTREK IN 2015 THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES WHERE I HAVE PULLED OUT AND THE VEHICLE PAUSES. LIKE THERE IS NO POWER OR IT IS TAKING A BREATH. NO MATTER THE PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR IT DOES NOT GO. THEN LIKE A GASP IT STARTS TO PICK UP SPEED. DOES NOT SHUT OFF BUT ZERO POWER. IT HAPPENS REGARDLESS THE WEATHER, LENGTH OF TIME CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING. IT HAS CAUSED ME A NARROW MISS BEFORE BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET INTO MY LANE. I WAS PULLING INTO TRAFFIC FROM A SLOW SPEED MOST TIMES. ONCE IT HAPPENED WHILE IN TRAFFIC DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11413092

35,000 miles · Apr 7, 2021
StructureUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

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, …

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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 HINGES, WINDSHIELD AND FENDERS. SUBARU HAS HISTORY OF LAWSUITS AND RECALLS REGARDING FAILED HOOD LATCH. POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11406904

36,500 miles · Mar 18, 2021
Unknown Or Other

I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH TRYING TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. IT WON'T LET ME TURN ALL THE WAY FROM ACC TO REMOVE THE KEY. I'VE TRIED TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, RESTART IGNITION AND TRY TURNING ALL THE WAY OFF AGAIN AND STILL STUCK. I HAD TO START AND PUT CAR IN REVERSE, THEN PULL FOWARD AND WAS ABLE TO TURN KEY COMPLETELY TO …

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I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH TRYING TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. IT WON'T LET ME TURN ALL THE WAY FROM ACC TO REMOVE THE KEY. I'VE TRIED TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, RESTART IGNITION AND TRY TURNING ALL THE WAY OFF AGAIN AND STILL STUCK. I HAD TO START AND PUT CAR IN REVERSE, THEN PULL FOWARD AND WAS ABLE TO TURN KEY COMPLETELY TO THE OFF POSITION AND WAS ABLE TO REMOVE KEY. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THEM AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11403673

100,630 miles · Aug 13, 2020
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 SUBARU CROSSTREK. I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY FOR AN HOUR. I WAS GOING ABOUT 78MPH. THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED GETTING LOUD AND THE TACHOMETER WAS REVVING DOWN. IT WENT QUICKLY FROM 3 TO 0 AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN. WHEN I REALIZED IT WAS REVVING DOWN AND GETTING LOUDER I BEGAN TO SHIFT TOWARDS THE LANES ON THE…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 SUBARU CROSSTREK. I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY FOR AN HOUR. I WAS GOING ABOUT 78MPH. THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED GETTING LOUD AND THE TACHOMETER WAS REVVING DOWN. IT WENT QUICKLY FROM 3 TO 0 AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN. WHEN I REALIZED IT WAS REVVING DOWN AND GETTING LOUDER I BEGAN TO SHIFT TOWARDS THE LANES ON THE RIGHT TO THE BREAK DOWN LANE. MY CAR DIDN'T MAKE IT. IT WAS ABOUT 3 MIN FROM WHEN I REALIZED SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I GOT STUCK IN THE LANE RIGHT NEXT TO THE PASSING LANE WITH 2 OTHER LANES ON THE RIGHT OF ME TO GET TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. MY CAR HAD POWER, MY HAZARDS WERE ON, MY RADIO WAS ON, MY WINDOWS OPENED AND THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN ON. I GOT MY CAR TOWED TO MY MOMS AND IT TURNED ON AT ARRIVAL ABOUT 14 MIN AFTER IT SHUT DOWN ON ME. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME 14 MIN AWAY AND THEN DRIVE IT 35 MIN TO A SUBARU DEALER. THE DEALER SAYS ITS THE BATTERY BUT IT DOESNT MAKE SENSE TO ME IF THE CAR IGNITION WOULDN'T GO ON BUT LIGHTS RADIO AND WINDOWS WORKED AND 15 MIN LATER THE CAR TURNED ON AND DROVE LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #11349054

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2020
Unknown Or OtherVisibility

REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF THE WINDSHIELD IN 2018 LEAVING A LARGE AREA OF BROKEN GLASS I MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED. IT FELL OFF AS I WAS DRIVING AND WAS ADJUSTING THE MIRROR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329997

66,000 miles · Nov 27, 2019
Unknown Or Other

EXPERIENCING TROUBLE REMOVING IGNITION KEY, AND GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. I MUST START THE VEHICLE A FEW TIMES, PLACE IT IN REVERSE THEN RETURN TO PARK. THEN I AM ABLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 66000 MILES. THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11282672

Official recalls

1

15V366000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking

Jun 12, 2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.

Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.

Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.

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.