Electrical System Problems of Subaru Crosstrek - part 2

Replaced battery 3 times. Believe this car has the parasitic battery issue. Attached on of the bills. Looking for the other 2.

See all problems of the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

The fan in my car, that controls the heat/air-conditioning, went out causing my windows to fog up since it was raining & I couldn't use the dehumidifier. I couldn't see & had to manually wipe my windshield several times & drive with my hazard lights on in order to get the car home. There were no warning lights on the dashboard. I took the car to a mechanic shop on another day, when they could not find the problem through a diagnostic the mechanic took apart the dashboard & that's when he found the wires connected to the control panel were melting/overheating. He said it was very dangerous because it could cause the car to catch fire. He said he had to leave the wires disconnected to prevent the car catching fire until the wires and control panel could be replaced. When I looked up if others were having the same problem, I found other Subaru Crosstrek owners with the same issue and many of them stated it happened again after replacing the affected parts. The control panel is not a wear-and-tear part so I was told I would have to get it from a Subaru dealership. I have not been able to take it to a Subaru dealership yet due to the weather but the car is available for inspection upon request. It has not been inspected yet by anyone besides my mechanic.

See all problems of the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? the usb a outlets under the head unit that allow connection to android auto and apple carplay yes it is available for inspection upon request how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? the connection when hooked up to a phone is intermittent. This results in driver distraction whenever it disconnects due to trying to get it to reconnect. Especially when using gps apps this means the driver may be "lost" until it can be reconnected, which means they will try to get it reconnected while driving which is dangerous. Sometimes it goes in and out every 60-90 seconds. Sometimes it won't connect at all until the vehicle is power cycled or the head unit is reset but neither of these guarantees a stable connection. The issue is not fixed by replacing the usb cable or the phone with a brand new phone. The cables and phone do not have this issue with any other usb port that they have been used on (in other vehicles). Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? not on my vehicle but there are hundreds of reports online for years with multiple Subaru models where it has been. I could get it reproduced easily, just haven't had the time. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? no were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? no this happens every day, at any speed, and has been happening since I got the vehicle at 20000 miles and there are 35000 miles on it now (approximately).

See all problems of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

At various times of day or night, the brake lights turn on, while there is no one in the vehicle. The vehicle sits parked and is locked with the security on, and the lights just randomly turn on by themselves. The only way to turn the lights off is to go into the vehicle and step on the brake and then the lights are off after releasing the brake pedal. If the lights stay on, because it’s not noticed, then the battery drains and then needs to be jumped. It is concerning for vehicles traveling behind, because one wouldn’t know if there is an issue happening while traveling and could cause someone to be rear ended.

I sent my Crosstrek to the dealer for the wre21 recall. After retrieving the car from the dealership with the recall fix in place, the engine stalled while I was at a red light and I could see smoke coming out from the hood. This occurred after driving less than 4 miles from the dealership. I opened the hood and could see that one of the coil packs on the driver side cylinder bank was on fire. I called 911 and the fire department had to extinguish the fire. The fire has rendered the vehicle inoperable and smoke damaged.

See all problems of the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

Check engine light came on while idling. "eyesight" tech turned off along with certain associated safety features. Next day, vehicle struggled to ignite. Came to a complete stop at an intersection, released brake, stepped on gas, and the car rolled forward as if in neutral and bucked up and down like a rodeo bull.

On two incidents randomly and without warning the car failed to accelerate while driving in traffic on an open road and I had to coast to safety and put in park, then drive, then travel less than five miles home. Both times I immediately scheduled service with suburu with appointments about a week out. The car drove without incident while awaiting service. Service failed to replicate the problem, diagnose or remedy it after having the car a week and I was told“vehicle is operating properly at that time”. The second occurrence at the end of June was far more dangerous as I was traveling at a higher speed in heavy traffic on a multi lane road when it occurred car is unsafe for me, passengers and other drivers. I risk being stranded. I have no sense of reliability or safety and the car is just now at 30k.

Horn failed to sound. It sounds when hitting the lock button three times, but doesn’t when the steering wheel is pressed. This was identified during a near miss accident when we tried to alert another driving that was weaving into our lane and couldn’t.

See all problems of the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

The electrical harness to the variable fan speed switch overheated melting the harness and switch.

Anti-lockout mechanism failed to prevent telematics-initiated lockout. 1) driver placed live child , keys, phone into car 2) driver closed door with keys inside. The car normally refuses to lock under these conditions, detecting key inside, and preventing a hazard to infant who is unable to unlock the car. 3) remote telematics command issued from 3rd party inadvertently locks car remotely. Driver has now lost control of the car lock state, and is locked out with child inside. Since it's a sunny day, car internal temperature increases, causing threat to child. 4) emergency efforts to reach 3rd party to unlock the car to free child are successful ~10 minutes later , avoiding harm to child. However, if driver had been unable to reach the third party, the only alternatives would have been 911/break-glass.

The infotainment system and apple carplay connectivity is posing a safety hazard. When I’m on a phone call my audio will randomly cut out and suddenly the person on the other side of the call can no longer hear me. In order to fix the issue I must pick up my phone while I’m driving to disconnect from apple carplay and reconnect. I have tried countless troubleshooting methods and reported the problem to the dealership. They don’t seem to have a solution for it. This is a serious safety hazard because I can end up getting into an accident from having to pick up my phone to correct this issue. It happens randomly and sometimes multiple times during a single call.

See all problems of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

Hello, my Subaru Crosstrek 2018 has been brought to Subaru service departments in both CA and MA for the same issue. I have brought in my car 3-4 times for recurrent problems where the battery in the car dies. The battery has been replaced multiple times and I have brought it to Subaru service departments both in massachusetts and California, all of whom tell me that the battery needs to be replaced, over and over again. I called and filed a report with Subaru of America who directed me to a third party representative who deals with claims regarding Subarus and their recurrent battery issues and was informed that my Subaru is not eligible for reimbursement for recurrent issues with batterys, nor is it a model that is eligible for an extended warranty given the battery issues. This is a huge safety issue for me. I have found myself in empty parking garages at night with a dead battery where I have had to stay locked in my car while I call a tow/aaa service to come and jump my car. I have missed countless days of work due to this issue. I have been late to pick up my child from daycare. I have spent thousands of dollars missing work, getting ubers while my car is in the shop, using rental cars, calling tow companies while this issue has been ongoing for two years. In addition, I have spent hundreds of dollars on portable battery chargers so that I do not get stranded with a battery-less car. I have raised this issue to the Subaru service departments multiple times, as well as Subaru of America with no solution.

See all problems of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

Potential safety hazard ? engine auto start/stop feature for gas savings and emmisons control works by applying brakes and engine shuts off, it restarts when brakes released. Normal operation, but I have noticed that unbuckeling the seatbelt or opening the door will cause it to restart even though brakes are applied. . This could cause an accident as it's an unexpected restart of the engine in drive. Recommend this feature be disabled until door/seatbelt closed or seatbelt buckled or car in park before restart. Someone thinking car is off but actually in a pause restart could accidentally open door and upon getting out the car would start and move potential loss of control. My 2013 vw passat would alarm to place in park if door open or seatbelt not worn. . Subaru starts ! I consider this a potential dangerous condition as it's not expect restart.

I was driving with cruise control enabled right around 40mph. All of the sudden, while I was moving, my speedometer dropped to 0 and all of my dashboard lights turned on. I pulled over to the side of the road and tried to put the car in park to figure out what was going on. I was not able to shift the car into park, only remain in d or shift to n. I forced the car shutoff while in d with the press-button ignition, then turned the car back on. I was then able to shift the car into p. However, all of my dashboard lights were still on. I will attach an image to this description as I was able to take a photo of all the dashboard lights. After putting the car in park, I then shifted it back into d. However, my steering wheel was very stiff. Eventually, it loosened up back to normal. I then turned around and headed home for about a 2. 5 hour drive. For the first 1. 5 hours of the drive, most of the dashboard lights remained on and I could not initiate cruise control at all. After stopping for gas and turning the car back on, I was then able to drive as normal (putting the car in cruise control) and most of the dashboard lights also turned off. This was a Sunday evening. I then brought my car to the Subaru dealer in which I bought the Crosstrek from the very next morning. I told them exactly what happened. They said this was highly unusual and this wasn't something they've dealt with before, especially on a brand new car (I purchased this vehicle with 0 miles just 6 months prior). After sitting in the shop for 30+ days, the dealer eventually replaced the vdc module and gave the car back to me. I did submit this issue to Subaru of America, but they denied this to be a lemon case. They would not tell me why, even though a car sitting in a shop for 30+ days achieves lemon status in the state of utah. Since the dealer replaced the vdc module and returning the car to me, I have not yet had another issue, but am nervous this could occur again.

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.

See all problems of the 2014 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

This vehicle is a plug-in-hybrid. It should not be able to move while plugged in. Problem is attempting to move the vehicle when the charge cable is still attached and the vehicle is on an incline. Subaru does not display a warning message - instead it displays "check engine" and an ambiguous symbol (a red steering wheel). Subaru disables the power to wheels that would have enabled the driver to close the gap to the charging station. Instead the vehicle rolls away from the charging station, breaking power plug at the vehicle port. Even placing the car in park does not prevent damage, the car will roll down hill until the parking gear latches. I have now broken my power plug 3 times. I am a professional electrical engineer. This should not be able to happen Subaru should prevent the car from being able to move if the cable is still attached, and instead display a message that the cable is still attached. With the "check engine" message, I engaged my obd diagnostics and it could not find a "check engine" flag. At this point, I put the car in gear, and even through Subaru disables power, the car then passively rolls down the driveway, breaking the cable at the power port. Instead of the ambiguous "red steering wheel" icon - Subaru needs to lock the car in park and display a real message. When you finally turn the ignition off - Subaru displays a huge "goodbye" message on the auxiliary display. I say finally because if you do restart the ignition with the cable attatched - you will not be able to turn off the ignition - only after exiting the vehicle, disconnecting the plug will you be able to turn off the vehicle. Not being able to turn off the ignition should not be permitted. Numerous errors in the control logic.

See all problems of the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

Since at least 2009 all Subaru models have a faulty air bag clockspring. The horn doesn’t work due to this. Subaru knows about this issue. Even 2018 forester is still using the faulty clock spring. We almost had an accident because the horn didn’t work. After researching the issue, I cannot believe a recall has not been issued. Tried to get it fixed at Subaru today. Still not fixed. We cannot drive until the horn is fixed it is dangerous driving in northern va, 66, 495 and not having a horn to give a warning when you are about to be hit.

Battery drains rapidly and completely, sometimes overnight. Five times in less than one year. After a full charge only lasts a few days. Battery replaced but still happens. Others tell me it is a parasitic drain caused by "dcm" and/or faulty starlink software. Dealership cannot seem to fix this after repeated attempts.

During a near collision, attempted to warn other driver of the situation, but the Crosstrek horn did not work. This appears to be a common problem with these vehicles, that the horn does not work reliably in all normal steering wheel positions. Given the horn is an essential piece of safety equipment, this is a significant problem.

See all problems of the 2015 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

The digital communication module (dcm) on this Crosstrek is faulty and is leading to parasitic drain on the car battery. This defect is consistent with other Subaru models such as the outback. However, this specific model and year was not included in the class action suit and order but the issues are similar.

In three separate incidents while car only shows 70 in fuel indicator, my 2016 Crosstrek stalled while driving on a highway. I have brought my car to Subaru dealer, but they cannot find anything wrong with my 2016 Crosstrek. In each of the three separate instances after waiting on the side road for 30 minutes, I was able to restart the car and drive home. My car just had a new engine air filter replaced.

The contact's significant other owns a 2020 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while his significant other was driving from a complete stop, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer replaced the battery, the fuel cap, and cleared the warning lights; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

Ignition key keeps intermittently locking into ignition when trying to retrieve key. Putting vehicle in park, key will turn engine off, but then will not turn all the way to release the key. Key has a key fob, vehicle is placed on parking gear. Sometimes restarting vehicle can help, sometimes shifting gears and driving vehicle again can help. Sometimes turning steering wheel helps. Sometimes all you can do is wait a few to five minutes to be able to turn off vehicle and retrieve car. No warning lights. After my warranty expired was when I noticed the problem. Bought vehicle used less than a year ago. It can be a safety risk if I cannot retrieve my key and then anyone could jump in and steal it as their is no other way to lock the vehicle unless I automatically locky myself out.

Beginning one year after buying this used 2020 Subaru Crosstrek base trim the starter failed and battery fully died after failing to start from a stop. The engine was off due to the auto-stop system and failed upon lifting my foot from the brake on a slight incline, causing a constant warning beep and a starter system failure message on the dash display. Immediately after failing to start the brake pressure significantly dropped causing my car to roll into the front of the car behind it. The car was stranded in the road and required a jump start. Since this event the issue has occurred twice more on two brand new batteries on no incline, and I now fully disable the auto-stop feature before driving to avoid an accident. The car starts properly with no battery damage if started from the full ignition off position, even if auto-stop originally stopped the engine, pointing to a failure of the auto-stop system specifically. Importantly, I have also personally seen this exact failure occur to a separate 2020 Subaru Crosstrek, with the sport trim.

Was told I needed a new ecm due to corrupt learning. My vehicles check engine light, traction control light, and cruise control all turned on/ stopped working. My vehicle has received all necessary maintenance in a timely manner, no missed oil changes and no accidents. The dealership stated it was due to damage but this can’t be possible since the only place service has been completed was at the dealership, if it was damaged it would have been caused by the dealership. I have seen multiple threads online stating the same issue with their vehicle same model and similar years and the cost to replace is not cheap.

The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v551000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Went in for the wrl-23 recall in sept 2023 a very short time after getting notice, the servicing dealer. Found the work needed to replace the dash wire harness as per the instructions, we were told the harness had to be ordered, days later we got a phone call advising the harness was being back ordered, as of 01/19/2024 we again were advised it was still on back order, a call to Subaru of America asking why the part for a recall could be back ordered for four months did not give much help other than being told it would take a week to investigate the issue. Being a retired service manger for another brand auto I felt being lead around how can a recall be made and zero parts available in a reasonable time to make a repair ,which in this case could cause a fire.

I noticed that my 2018 Subaru Crosstrek battery keeps draining when the car sits for several days (something that typically has not happened in the past until my son recently went off to college). I called aaa and they checked out the battery and indicated that the battery was good still, but was borderline. Would likely need to be replaced soon. Since it was the original battery and it would need to be replaced soon - I had them replace it. Even after the battery replacement - the battery drains when the car sits for a few days. I took the car in to my local Subaru dealer and they indicated parasitic drain from dcm is depleting the battery. They tried performing a factory reset on the dcm, but it was unsuccessful. The dealer quoted me $1200 to replace the dcm and had to order it. I also noticed several class-action lawsuits for other Subaru models (which sound like the same issue). I called Subaru customer advocacy to inform them of the situation and currently awaiting a response.

I own a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek with only 37,000 miles. There is a problem with my battery being drained after not driving the car for several days. I have had to call for a jump start 3 times, Aug. 8, 2023, sept. 5, 2023 and Nov. 14, 2023, each time after returning from vacation. I replaced the battery when it happened the second time, but the problem continued to occur. I have taken my car to the Subaru dealership for diagnostic. They checked the draw level in the vehicle electric system found excessive draw of 350mah when everything was turned off. The performed dcm (data control module) check and disconnected the fuse. The draw dropped down to 15mah. I was told I could leave the fuse disconnected, which would leave me with a useless navigation system, loss of front speakers and bluetooth, or replace the dcm that would cost me around $1000. I have done research online and found this is an ongoing problem with Subaru. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure each time. This poses a safety risk if I am in a public parking late at night and I cannot get my car started. I have reported the problem to Subaru of America.

Premature starter failure as noted in TSB 07-198-21 due to failed clutch in starter motor. Only had 35, 750 miles. Defective starter. Issue known to Subaru. Could leave drivers stranded and at risk. This known/ common starter motor failure problem should be a recall.

Recall for lv terminal corrosion was sent. Dealerships had no appointments for 2 weeks. Made appointment at a dealer one week later, dropped off car. Dealer called and stated that parts would not be in for another week. They stated they did not have tools or parts for the repair yet. Not fixed in timely manner.

See all problems of the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

The horn quit working, everything else on my steering wheel and steering column work just not the horn, no way to warn approaching traffic, safety issue, puts myself and family in harms way.

The manufacturer has failed to repair an open recall in a timely manner. Our Crosstrek hybrid's 12-volt battery frequently needs charging and has been jumped a half dozen times in as many months and replaced twice since November.

The starter failed and I was towed to the repair shop where they noted it was unable to kick out bendix to meet flywheel. Upon reviewing Subaru's website and forums, there have been many reports of this problem on the Crosstrek.

I was driving my 2021 Subaru Crosstrek slowly in a parking lot when it unexpectedly accelerated on its own without me pressing the gas pedal. I believe the Crosstrek was now going 40mph. I tried to shut off the engine and brake at the same time but neither one had any effect. I thought maybe I had two options. Either hit another vehicle or pedestrian or turn my car into the curb. I decided to turn into the curb which resulted in the breaking of both axels, flattening all the tires, and sustaining damage to the front fender and headlight. The car was then towed to a garage we’re it was declared totaled. I checked the internet to see if this had occurred to any other Crosstrek. It turns out their is a class action suit pending for the same reason. Police records will show I was not drunk, sleeping, and the car mat was off gas pedal. 12.