NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
17 reports65,300 miles · Aug 8, 2019
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU CROSSTREK. WHILE DRIVING 80-85 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE TACHOMETER INCREASED TO HIGH AND THE SPEEDOMETER DECREASED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF KENNESAW (905 ERNEST W BARRETT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU CROSSTREK. WHILE DRIVING 80-85 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE TACHOMETER INCREASED TO HIGH AND THE SPEEDOMETER DECREASED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF KENNESAW (905 ERNEST W BARRETT PKWY NW, KENNESAW, GA 30144, (770) 419-9800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: SR1-46572013025 AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,300. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA ODI #11242454
55,000 miles · Jul 27, 2019
Unknown Or Other
AFTER PUTTING MY CAR IN PARK, MY KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. I HAVE TO REVERSE AND DRIVE UP AGAIN AND THEN PARK AGAIN, IN ORDER FOR MY KEY TO THEN FINALLY COME OUT. I'M NERVOUS THAT WON'T WORK FOR LONG. I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE AND YET SUBARU HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL. HOPING WE WON'T BE RESP…
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AFTER PUTTING MY CAR IN PARK, MY KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. I HAVE TO REVERSE AND DRIVE UP AGAIN AND THEN PARK AGAIN, IN ORDER FOR MY KEY TO THEN FINALLY COME OUT. I'M NERVOUS THAT WON'T WORK FOR LONG. I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE AND YET SUBARU HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL. HOPING WE WON'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST TO REPAIR WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER ISSUE! SUBARU PLEASE INVESTIGATE!!
NHTSA ODI #11235335
52,000 miles · Jul 27, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 75 MPH, PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHEN THE CAR RAPIDLY LOST SPEED AND REVVED TO 5500 RPM. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE SPEED AND WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR. I HAD TO QUICKLY PULL TO THE LEFT SHOULDER. LUCKILY, THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS PAYING ATTENTION AND WAS ABLE …
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 75 MPH, PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHEN THE CAR RAPIDLY LOST SPEED AND REVVED TO 5500 RPM. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE SPEED AND WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR. I HAD TO QUICKLY PULL TO THE LEFT SHOULDER. LUCKILY, THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS PAYING ATTENTION AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND NOT HIT US. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LUCKILY THE VEHICLE DID RESTART. MY FUEL LIGHT HAD JUST TURNED ON MINUTES BEFORE THIS BUT I STILL HAD 60 MILES TO GO BEFORE EMPTY. I WAS PLANNING ON EXITING TO REFUEL BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THIS TO OCCUR. I LEFT A MESSAGE WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND I AM AWAITING A RETURN PHONE CALL TO HAVE THE VEHICLE ASSESSED.
NHTSA ODI #11235318
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2019
EnginePower Train
MY CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR A LONG WHILE NOW. I DIDN'T EXPECT IT TO HAPPEN BUT WHEN RECENTLY I SAW SMALL DROPS OF OIL, I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID MY CAM BOX SEAL WAS LEAKING AND THEN I WENT INTO MORE RESEARCH. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY A COMMON ISSUE FROM MY FELLOW CROSSTREK OWNERS. THIS ISNT ACCEPTABLE …
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MY CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR A LONG WHILE NOW. I DIDN'T EXPECT IT TO HAPPEN BUT WHEN RECENTLY I SAW SMALL DROPS OF OIL, I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID MY CAM BOX SEAL WAS LEAKING AND THEN I WENT INTO MORE RESEARCH. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY A COMMON ISSUE FROM MY FELLOW CROSSTREK OWNERS. THIS ISNT ACCEPTABLE AT ALL BECAUSE THIS DOESNT MAKE THESE RELIABLE ANYMORE. IT'S NOW A HEADACHE AND TROUBLE ON THE ROAD. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE THOUGHT OVER IN RESPECT TO US THE CONSUMERS. THE CROSSTREK ARE A VERY POPULAR CAR THAT PEOPLE LOVE INCLUDING ME BUT THIS PROBLEM GIVES EVERYONE OF US TO COMPLAIN TO HAVE IT FIXED.
NHTSA ODI #11175083
59,000 miles · Jan 16, 2019
Air BagsSeats
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 SUBA…
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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 DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS VERY SENSITIVE AND THAT MOISTURE COULD INTERFERE WITH IT AND DISABLE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG UNTIL THE SENSOR DRIES. APPARENTLY THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. THIS SEEMS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN ANY CAR, BUT ESPECIALLY A SUBARU WHICH IS MARKETED AS AN "OUTDOORS" OR "ADVENTURE" CAR WHERE WET PEOPLE/DOGS/EQUIPMENT COULD REGULARLY BE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AND STATIONARY WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON MY DASH.
NHTSA ODI #11170300
45,000 miles · Dec 14, 2018
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering
I WAS DRIVING ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY GOING 55MPH. MY KNEE BUMPED THE STEERING COLUMN AND AT THAT MOMENT THE DASH WENT BLANK, I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER BEFORE THE STEERING LOCKED UP. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED. AFTER AWHILE I DISCOVERED THE CAR WOULD RESTART AND DROVE T…
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I WAS DRIVING ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY GOING 55MPH. MY KNEE BUMPED THE STEERING COLUMN AND AT THAT MOMENT THE DASH WENT BLANK, I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER BEFORE THE STEERING LOCKED UP. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED. AFTER AWHILE I DISCOVERED THE CAR WOULD RESTART AND DROVE THE REMAINING 20 MILES HOME WITH NO PROBLEM. IT WASN'T UNTIL I CALLED THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND LOOKED ONLINE THAT I REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I'M SHORT , 5'1' AND HAD THE STEERING COLUMN AT THE LOWEST POSITION AND THE SEAT FORWARD. I'VE MOVED THE COLUMN TO THE NEXT SETTING HIGHER AND BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS NOW UNLIKELY TO RECUR. THE LOWEST COLUMN POSITION SHOULD BE ELIMINATED . DANGEROUS!!
NHTSA ODI #11161464
52,000 miles · Nov 15, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control
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 …
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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 WRONG MECHANICALLY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A FLAW IN THE ECM PROGRAMMING. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALS HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH VARIOUS MODELS OF SUBARU. THERE ARE SEVERAL AFTERMARKET DEVICES WHICH CLAIM TO FIX THIS BY CONNECTING TO THE OBDII PORT AND CHANGING THE PROGRAMMING SO IT MATCHES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL LINEARLY. ONE SUCH DEVICE IS HTTPS://WWW.SPRINTBOOSTERSALES.COM/SUBARU I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO RELY ON AN AFTERMARKET ACCESSORY TO ADDRESS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11151849
50,000 miles · Sep 17, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ABS, HILL ASSIST, AND VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL LIGHTS ALL LIGHT UP AND LOCK DOWN THE CAR. WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE BUT THE NEXT TIME THE CAR IS STARTED, IT MAY NOT BACK UP OR GO IN DRIVE AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11129839
20,000 miles · Aug 14, 2018
Power Train
MY CAR BECAME STUCK IN PARK DUE TO A DEFECTIVE BREAK LIGHT SWITCH. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO HAVE IT TOWED, BUT LUCKILY I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND LEARNED I HAD TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM BY STICKING A BOLT INTO A PORT ON THE GEAR SHIFT PANEL. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE PERSONALLY WHO HAVE ALSO HAD THIS …
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MY CAR BECAME STUCK IN PARK DUE TO A DEFECTIVE BREAK LIGHT SWITCH. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO HAVE IT TOWED, BUT LUCKILY I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND LEARNED I HAD TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM BY STICKING A BOLT INTO A PORT ON THE GEAR SHIFT PANEL. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE PERSONALLY WHO HAVE ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS FAMILIAR WITH IT. IT IS INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING TO BE STUCK IN A PARKING LOT UNABLE TO DRIVE YOUR CAR WHEN ITS AN ISSUE THAT COULD EASILY BE PREVENTED. IT WAS A 100+ DEGREE DAY AND LUCKILY I WAS IN TOWN. BUT HAD I BEEN STUCK OUT AT A TRAILHEAD OR OTHERWISE OUT OF CELL SERVICE THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11119940
62,000 miles · Aug 14, 2018
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
CAR STALLED AND DIED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY TRAVELING 75MPH. FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO A LOW GEAR AND THE RPM'S REVVED. CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER AND FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE TO FREEWAY SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED BUT ALL ELECTRICAL STILL FUNCTIONED. I WAS LOW ON GAS BUT NOT OU…
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CAR STALLED AND DIED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY TRAVELING 75MPH. FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO A LOW GEAR AND THE RPM'S REVVED. CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER AND FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE TO FREEWAY SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED BUT ALL ELECTRICAL STILL FUNCTIONED. I WAS LOW ON GAS BUT NOT OUT. I WAS ON FREEWAY AT 11:30PM JUST OUTSIDE DETROIT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. RIDICULOUSLY UNSAFE. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALER AND WILL BE LOOKED AT 8/14/2018. INCIDENT 8/9/2018. EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS HAPPENED TO THE SAME VEHICLE 6 MONTHS AGO. CAR DIED ON FREEWAY TRAVELING 75MPH, RPM'S REVVED, GOT SAFELY TO SHOULDER. VEHICLE TOWED. CAR STARTED NEXT MORNING AND NO ERROR CODES FOUND. EVEN MORE COMPELLING, THE ENGINE DIED 3 OTHER TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT LEAST 45MPH, SAME SENSATION OF ENGINE GOING INTO LOWER GEAR, RPM'S INCREASED TO 5000+, CAR DIES, ELECTRICAL WORKS. CAR WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER 10-15 MINUTES OF REST. THESE 3 INCIDENTS ARE NOT DOCUMENTED BECAUSE I WAS NOT TOWED AND DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. I WISH I HAD. I AM REPORTING FOR THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF 8/9/2018. (I FEEL LIKE I'M SHOUTING WITH ALL CAPS. I AM SHOUTING BECAUSE THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED!)
NHTSA ODI #11119786