Complaint volume
107 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
107 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, grouped by component category.
Buyer interpretation
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
107 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
The most common categories are unknown or other, exterior lighting, visibility/wiper. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Enriched records include 8 crash reports, 2 fire reports, 3 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage is available on 11 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 11,111 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
107 total complaints on record
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2025 | STEERING | The steering sticks when moving it from the null position. It feels as though there is a lock of some sort and one has to exert more force that normal to move the steering wheel in either direction. This is very noticeable when driving on a straight road or highway where normal steering adjustments are just slightly to either side of null. I find myself over adjusting for things like the crown/pitch of the road. Also, cold weather seems to mask the issue. Now that the weather is warming up though, the issue is consistent and seems to have become worse with more miles logged on the vehicle. Please note that this is not related to the lane assist or road departure safety features as the steering issue occurs with neither in use. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The windshield appeared to have spontaneously cracked overnight while parked on the driveway. The crack formed across the top of the windshield, across the eyesight. The day before, the car was at the dealership for an oil change and tire rotation. Unknown if lifting the car for the tire rotation caused the stress that may have caused the crack formation. The car was taken back to the dealer and the windshield had to be replaced. A claim to our insurance was done because the dealer said this was not covered by the warranty. I did not see any chip in the windshield that would have caused this. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This is not a safety issue. But the paint on the car seems to be of poor quality that is easily chipped or stained by bird droppings. The hood of the car has a multiple chips in the paint. The car has been well taken care of and normal driving conditions. For only 18000 miles on the car, the paint seems very thin and poor durability to hold up to normal driving conditions. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2025 | STEERING | I recently have started experiencing a sticky/jerky steering wheel (24K miles). It happens when the car is fully warmed up on longer road trips whether the cruise control engaged or not. In fact, it's worse without cruise control. The steering wheel requires stronger pull and then releases quickly. I could not reproduce it at the dealership as it's nearby and does not require a long trip, but of course right after I left it, the steering wheel started sticking again. The technician did not know what it could be and stated he could not reproduce the issue. There is no issues with alignment or tire balancing. I am noticing it more consistently in warmer weather. It is not an issue at all when it's 20 degrees F. No lights are triggered. I believe this is a huge safety issue as I constantly need to correct the steering when it is stuck. I posted this issue on Reddit with multiple owners experiencing the same problem: [XXX] / It is also the same problem as Honda Civic 2022-2023 models have. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2025 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Headlights are pointed low. It is hard to see down the road. The top half of windshield is darker than the bottom half. Car may be safe for city driving, but not for country roads. Going up and down hills and around curves the suv is unsafe. Dealer said they recieving complaints but can not adjust the lights. Sorry I bought such an unsafe suv. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I had purchased my car over a weekend and in less than 2 days, on my way to work, I noticed that the horn volume and reliability was severely diminished to the point where you can't hear it if you have the windows rolled up inside the vehicle, and/or doesnt work at all. I used my warranty to replace the horn and have the dealership take a look at it. they recognized that it was a problem but even after replacing the horn, the issue still persisted. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On [XXX] I was driving my ned 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness (420 miles), from inside the "Flamingo Pines Shopping Center” on the intersection of [XXX] and [XXX] , City of Pembroke Pines in Florida by the [XXX] , to merge into [XXX] . The traffic coming already on [XXX] southbound stopped 3 or four vehicles ahead of me. Slowly the vehicles in front where merging into the traffic until there was only one vehicle in front of me, a black Jeep. After 2 or 3 more vehicle passed by [XXX] , the road was clear and the Jeep started to move. I started to move slowly behind the Jeep, but turn my head one last time to the left to confirm no other vehicle was coming. When I turn my head back to the right the Jeep stopped completely and I was not able to press the brake on time, ending in a collision with the Jeep. The Eyesight on my Crosstrek didn't work at all, don't even warning me about the Jeep was stopped completely. My vehicle is still in the shop for repairs, due to my car ended with more damages than the Jeep. I had 6 Subaru Outbacks and 1 Forrester before and this situation never happened before. LOCATION IN GOOGLE MAPS [XXX] POLICE REPORT [XXX] PEMBROKE PINES POLICE DEPARTMENT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Random cracking of windshield while parked. Beginning from the very top of the windshield downward 6-7 inches. No chips, or cracks in the area. Was not hit by anything. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Oem Headlight shadowing on brand new car moves all over the place. It mimics child or wildlife. The reduced area is unsafe. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER | Headlight performance on this vehicle is extremely dangerous when driving at nighttime. Unless you keep your high beams on constantly, these headlights offer only extremely limited visibility during night driving. From the top of the windshield down about16 inches it's totally black. You can only see out of the bottom half of the windshield. The road in front of you is only lit up for about 60 feet then it's dark beyond that point. Visiblity problem gets even worse when going downhill. Incident #1. . . . I almost ran into a bicycle rider the other night as he was traveling just beyond the area that was lit up by my lights. I was only traveling at about 35-40 mph, but by the time he was visible i was almost not able to avoid hitting him. He was riding his bike just on the edge of the lane of car traffic so he was easily in the line of my car. I was so shaken up, my heart was pounding, that I had to pull over to the side of the road to reflect on what had just happened and to get my bearings again. Now I find myself afraid to drive this Subaru, my new car of only 2 months, at nighttime. Incident #2. . . .Same complaint regarding headlights. The above described problem with headlights gets even more, much more, dangerous when you're driving down an incline such as a hill. Because you're car is going downhill, the available space that is lit up in front of you becomes even more diminished so that you also can't see any curves in the road that are coming up as well as stop signs, pedestrians or other cars!. It's a miracle if you don't end up crashing your car off the side of the road while trying to navigate down that hill. I have complained numerous times at the dealership, but no help. To verify, a rep. would have to drive the car at night time. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE Subaru needs to make this right and correct this HEADLIGHT problem ASAP or there is bound to be drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists injured and/or killed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Windshield cracked on the second day I owned the car. No visible incident but it is cracked all the way left to right. The windshield is impossibly thin. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the garage, the contact became aware that the passenger’s side front windshield had cracked at the bottom without impact. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 6,200. | Crash: No Fire: No | 6,200 |
| Dec 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | There is something inside the headlights that produces two shadows that are posing a safety risk. When driving and turning the steering wheel the shadows move which look like a small animal is darting out from the sides. The shadows are a distraction and have resulted in rapid braking thinking I was going to hit an animal. I attached photos showing the shadows up close but they are larger when I am driving. They are about the size of a boot or shoe box. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Headlights on low beam have a very low distance reach. This is more apparent if you are going up or down an incline. On inclines, the Steering adaptive headlights change in such a way that you have very little distance in your sight. There is also a very sharp delineation of light vs dark at its maximum distance at even levels. This give the impression that you have good lighting at short distances then instant blackness. Once you reach a certain distance in the lighting your visual information stream is cut off completely. Worst headlights I have had in 45 years of driving. I wondered if I was going crazy. I looked up the same problem being described on forums. Some suggested write NHTSA and let you know of the problem. I believe it is a serious safety issue which interferes with us being able to see well enough at night. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | I have only had my vehicle (new 2024) for 5 months- no known or prior issues. I was driving on the highway, no vehicles around me and I hear a loud pop. A few minutes go by and the windshield begins to crack. Over the course of about an hour, it had spread across almost the entire windshield. With the recent history of Subaru windshields, I’m worried about the strength of their glass. Not saying there is a widespread issue at the moment, but concerned that in a few months or a year there may be a pattern. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | AIR BAGS | 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 passenger seat (I weigh [XXX] pounds) the airbag indicator light is always in the on position. I also own a 2024 Subaru Legacy and the same issue is evident with this vehicle. I will file a separate incident report on that vehicle. This is very frightening as we fear that if we get into an accident my wife will be severely injured or killed because her airbag will not deploy. We bought the car in June 2023; but did not notice this indicator light issue until after we bought the Legacy in September 2024. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The headlights allow for only extremely limited visibility. At night, The windshield from the top to about 15” down is black. The lighting is bright for about 50-75’. If I am headed downhill the headlights shine down and the top of the hill can be invisible. Per Subaru this is standard. It is horrible. I can’t believe this hasn’t resulted in a recall. I will not drive the car after dusk. I didn’t notice this problem till about a week ago. I avoid night driving when possible but it shouldn’t be impossible for me to drive at night. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | AIR BAGS | The Front Passenger Side Air Bag Indicator Does Not Indicate The Air Bags are Functional when my husband is driving and I am Siting in the Front Passenger Side Seat. This Is Un acceptable. The Condition has Existed Since The Car was New. The Car Now has 380 Miles On it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | VISIBILITY | I have noticed an issue with Driver side mirror housing, vibrates, and shakes while driving at any speed since I took delivery on September 27, 2024 from Subaru Of Clear Lake. It is making it hard to observe anything in that mirror, making it almost useless. Took it to Team Gilman Subaru north. They said that they tighten the mirror/ housing and that are confident that it is secure, but once I pull off lot it is still doing it! But I also was told that they would get me out quick and not have to do anything paperwork makes me wonder. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | My 2024 Subaru Crosstrek was stopped at a red light behind a car. My cruise was disengaged after the car stopped and my foot was on the brake. Suddenly, the car lurched forward on its own and only stopped when I pressed hard on the brake and moved transmission from drive to park. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | POWER TRAIN | 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 transmission oil temperature. After turning on my hazard lights, I put the car in park and turned off the car and restarted it and I was able to pull into a parking lot. I had it towed to Subaru who said it was code p1868 and was the transmission. They drained and refilled the transmission and said the fluid was dirty and contained metal debris. When I asked them why a car with such low mileage would have dirty fluid containing metal debris, I was told it could have had low fluid from the factory or the factory could have used "crappy" fluid. I was also told the reason so many warning lights come on is because those systems become disabled when there is a problem. I got the car back on 8/17/24 and then on 9/7/24 while driving, all the lights came on again including the AT oil temp light which was noted to be yellow and flashing. Subaru of America towed it to Subaru again. They said it was the same code and this time they're replacing the valve body. Today is 10/1/24 and Subaru still has my car. They said if it happens again, then they will finally replace the transmission. When it was towed to Subaru on 9/7/24, it had less than 6,000 miles on it. I will upload the invoice from the first incident but I don't have the invoice from the second incident since my car is still at Subaru being repaired. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | VISIBILITY | Driver side exterior mirror vibrates and blurs / distorts the visibility at higher speeds when on the freeway or interstate. This is on a brand new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek purchased less than a month ago. Dealer recreated the issue but will not fix because they said other new crosstreks do this as well and is a design flaw issue that does not have a repair??? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The SRH headlight system has a Dark square at the top of each side light pattern that is extremely distracting to the driver. As the vehicle is in motion and the headlights are moving back and forth due to steering inputs the dark spots appear almost as if an animal or object is running out in front of you. This constantly moving distraction is an accident waiting to happen | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE | 1. The headlights in this vehicle have shadows and this is exceedingly disconcerting and actually dangerous. Subaru insists the headlights are fine and yet other owners of this same model complain of the same issue which I discovered in doing internet research. AND 2. Due to the use of soy based materials in the engine of this 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, it has literally been assailed by rodents. This has caused extensive and very costly damage. It has become a job in essence trying to find solutions to this problem in order to try to prevent it happening again. In all the 28 years at my location and two previous vehicles, this Subaru Crosstrek has had INCOMPARABLE rodent attacks to the engine materials. Apparently, this vehicle had rodents getting into the engine right away once it came to my location and it had to be taken in twice, having been out here around a little over one month. It was unknown to me rodents were getting into the engine until the first incident of something not working. The second time it had to be towed in as it would have been dangerous to try to drive it due to the damage. Additionally, the loaner, another 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, was out here less than a week and suffered damage from rodents. This despite the fact that multiple rodent repellents, baits, bait traps, poisons, live traps, snap traps, etc., were used by myself personally and a professional pest control agency having been hired in addition. Using such attractants in vehicle manufacture is unethical, unprofessional, irresponsible, dangerous, constituting a hardship in several ways for customers and unconscionable. Naturally Subaru does not want to take accountability, despite it undeniably being their fault for choosing to use these materials while being fully aware they are rodent attractants. It also affects insurance rates adversely. Often you would not realize what damage and how much damage has been done to these vehicles until it might cause a breakdown on the road or worse. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | The contact owned a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH on the slow lane in the snow, he lost control. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact veered to the side of the road, off a slope, and then fell and crashed into a tree. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries or fire. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the event data recorder was retrieved. The manufacturer was unable to determine the failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | 1,000 |