10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,750 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek engine problems

engine problem

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2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Owner Comments

problem #10

Apr 152024

XV Crosstrek

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have been getting my 2014 Subaru Crosstrek serviced at Continental Subaru in Anchorage, Alaska for the last 4.5 years. I initially thought that they were an honest dealer/mechanic. I originally bought my Subaru in California and drove it up to Anchorage and it has been here ever since. My car burns oil very quickly. I mentioned this several times and the dealer always said it wasn't that big of an issue. Between oil changes I frequently had to add a couple of quarts of oil in addition to what they added during the oil changes because the car was burning so much oil. Recently in the last year, Continental Subaru told me my spark plugs were bad. I brought the car in because my cylinders were misfiring. They replaced the spark plugs. However a month later the issue still persisted. I called Subaru and had them replace the spark plugs again. At this point they said it was just the spark plugs. The issue persisted. I took my Subaru to a local mechanic this time since I felt like Continental was not being honest in their inspection of my car. Turns out the problem is much worse than Subaru was letting on for so many years. My car burns a lot of oil. which is a manufacturing issue. They continually told me it wasn't an issue. Probably because my car was still under warranty. Now that my car is not under warranty they finally admit that there are a lot of underlying issues. Except now I have to pay out of pocket because the car is now out of warranty. Since the car burns oil at such a fast rate, the head gaskets have warped. The valve cover gaskets need to be replaced and are leaking oil into my spark plugs and my coils. So now that my car is out of warranty suddenly I have to pay out of pocket almost $9000 to get the valve cover gaskets, head gaskets, spark plugs, coils, engine harness, all replaced. The variable valve timing is leaking. And there is internal mixing of oil and coolant in the motor. They have been extremely dishonest with me for years. I want a recall.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #9

Mar 162024

XV Crosstrek

  • miles
The electrical system and engine flickers on and off or sometimes dies entirely. The trigger is unknown and the underlying cause is unknown. It is unsafe because this has occurred while the vehicle is moving. The problem was confirmed and reproduced by a Subaru service center. They were unable to diagnose the issue. There is no warning when it will happen.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #8

May 082021

XV Crosstrek

  • miles
I own a Subaru Crosstrek XV Limited which I purchased new in November 2014. I was in a line of vehicles on a street waiting to enter a business parking lot and drive-thru. There was an incline from the street into the parking lot. The vehicle in front of me reached the top of the incline and turned right into the parking lot. With my foot remaining on the brake, I raised my foot slightly to allow my vehicle to move up the incline, my car suddenly accelerated and crashed into the bumper of the vehicle in front of me. The local police were contacted and a report was made. It was like when the cruise control is engaged and the engine given more power to climb an incline or hill. I don't know what caused this to happen, but am taking it to a local mechanic since the closest Subaru dealer is 75 miles away.

- Farmington, MO, USA

problem #7

Jun 302020

XV Crosstrek

  • 139,402 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving on the freeway at 135,961 miles, just 5 months after pulling the car off a used lot. All dash lights are illuminated, vehicle encounters loss of acceleration and I pulled to the shoulder. I attempt to restart vehicle, and lights return to normal, and I attempt to make my way home. Lights are illuminated once again, but I do not have loss of acceleration this time. Take it to be serviced, LH front axle failed, needs replaced, engine block has considerable oil leak, valve body replacement required (covered under warranty thank goodness). 4 months later after car seems to be in repaired and working order, the same issue again, this time the rh front axle is replaced, although no engine leak, the service tech is no letting me know that on their test drive after they replaced the axle the transmission failed and will now need to be replaced. I can not afford the cvt replacement at $8000 fix. The car has now been sitting in my driveway as I attempt to find money for the repairs.

- Carmichael, CA, USA

problem #6

Jan 022021

XV Crosstrek

  • 119,500 miles
There is a problem with 2014-2016 with ac compressor and clutch. Its an expensive fix and they will only fix if you have an extended warranty. They updated the part but no one can afford it. Mine is starting to go, it gets extremely loud. It is stationary and while driving. Here is the link https://Subaru.oemdtc.com/360/new-ac-compressor-clutch-assembly-2014-2016-Subaru

- Cattaraugus, NY, USA

problem #5

Apr 092019

XV Crosstrek

  • 85,000 miles
Excessive oil consumption. Oil lights comes on every 1000 miles

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #4

Feb 112020

XV Crosstrek

  • 59,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving the car when all the lights on dash come on. Constant jerking/bucking of the car without increasing pressure to the gas peddle. Meter rpms indicator needle is erratic moving back and forth while the engine revs. The mpg needle goes from plus to minus erratically also. At this time the car is not dependable. I have brought the car to granite Subaru 4 times for the same complaint. They say they have used the diagnostic meter to determine the problem but it still remains, now even worse. I have discussed the problem with a engineer and 2 auto mechanics who feel the problem is with the computer. I mentioned this to granite Subaru and was told that was not the problem. My plan at this time is to bring my car to autozone and have them evaluate my car. I am hoping to get a list of error codes to bring to Subaru with the hope that the 5th time will be my last. I have receipts for what has transpired so far but do not have a way to upload them and send with this report. Please send address and I will make copies and send. Thank you.

- North Chelmsford, MA, USA

problem #3

Oct 172019

XV Crosstrek

  • 80,000 miles
I have experienced rough idling with my 2014 crosstrek limited for about a year. During this time my check oil light has come on twice. I brought my car into the dealership in fayetteville, ar where they began the oil consumption test process. Thus far the dealership has flushed my coolant and oil and replacing O-rings and valves, replaced more O-rings and my ac compressor, and completed four oil consumption tests each time I drove 1,200 miles and consumed 8oz oil (10.1oz is considered failing). My car continues to rough idle to the point that I cannot let it idle inside the garage without shaking the walls inside the house. The rough idle happens all the time, when I first start the car, after I have driven for a while, and during routine trips around town, anytime the car is idling. The dealership has advised me that rough idle and oil consumption is normal with crosstreks and nothing shows on the computer scanner. They refuse to do a mechanical check to further diagnose the issue.

- Hindsville, AR, USA

problem #2

Oct 062019

XV Crosstrek

  • 14,000 miles
Driving on the freeway at 60mph, warm day (75) A/C was on, starting to accelerate up a slight incline, the engine lost power and car started slowing down. The gas pedal/acceleration was not working. The car went limp and acted as if it was in neutral. While trying to pull over to the side of the freeway, the acceleration kicked back in as if nothing happened. This happened twice. The second time I was driving on city streets at 40mph, same conditions outside, and going up a slight hill in san francisco, the power dies/goes limp, a few seconds later, power on acceleration comes back. There was no check engine light on.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #1

Nov 032014

XV Crosstrek

  • miles
2014 Subaru crosstrek vehicle consumed over five quarts of oil before reaching 9000 miles the consumer also stated the dealer did not install the kayak rack securely on top of the roof.

- Homer, NY, USA

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