Other Fuel System Problems of Subaru Crosstrek - part 1

I have been working with Subaru of America and capital Subaru service in san jose, CA for a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek xv 2. 0 cvt automatic engine shortly after we bought it used for multiple faulty known engine problems with this specific make and model. Since we have owned the vehicle, we have not been able to drive it for more than 2 months short distance at a time due to engine, valve body, major low oil pressure problems, and multiple sensor issues. This vehicle has been very dangerous for us to drive and has left us stranded not to mention paying the bank we financed payments to for a car we have been unable to use since purchasing. Subaru of America and capital Subaru in san jose have been awful, insensitive, and unhuman to our concerns and needs. We had to call them several times and were repeatedly ignore both parties for several days without any answers or any solutions. We have spent many sleepless nights worrying about not having a vehicle to get to work and my daughter who drove the car when she could in nursing school with the burden of having no transportation and all the stress and worrying. There is a long history of defected engines because of the poor way these were built for our specific year, and we were told repeatedly that it was the lack of maintenance from the previous owner being the cause of the issues when that in fact is a lie as we have several maintenance records routinely. I will never buy or recommend these defected and lemon cars again especially when it involves the safety of your life! having to tow to and from our home to the dealership service parts was a big waste of time and a joke just to hear, "we are sorry but nothing is covered and your liable for the diagnostic and fixing for your car that will be $5,800 which our car was only worth $5,600 through kelly blue book and we still owe a remainder of $9,000 to the financing bank.

See all problems of the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

The 2019-2021 Crosstrek hybrid has an issue with the fuel tank design. Subaru has finally released a TSB (reference: 09-82-23r) that explains the issue in more detail and how the defective parts need to be replaced. In short, the fuel tank has a design flaw such that regular fuel corrodes the fuel tank and causes clogging in the vapor vent tubes. Subaru says it's related to fuel with high ethanol content, however I have been filling up with regular fuel and have still experienced the issue. I have personally owned two of these vehicles and experienced the occasional p0452 check engine light which when diagnosed by a licensed shop pointed to this fuel evap system issue. Subaru has finally acknowledged that this is a known issue and issued the TSB, however they have not yet issued a recall. The repairs for this issue are expensive and the symptoms are an occasional check engine light. I am concerned because this issue is not easily detectable and is expensive to repair. Since this involves the fuel tank and fuel vapors tubes I am concerned there might be a fire risk or health risk, but since there is no recall issued I don't know if it can be ignored or needs immediate attention. Subaru does cover this repair under 3 yr / 30k mile warranty but with the irregular symptoms it is hard to detect and diagnose it and Subaru only issued the TSB in Jan 2024 when the 2021 model became 3 years old and out of warranty. It seems like Subaru knew about the issue but didn't want to address it under warranty so they issued the TSB only after all the cars were out of warranty and only now when the consumers have to pay out of pocket are they diagnosing it correctly. Also, this issue triggers the check-engine light only occasionally and at random, and when the light goes on all the vehicle safety aids like pre-collision braking and rear cross traffic warnings are disabled. I think this is dangerous because drivers tend to get used to having those features.

See all problems of the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

I had a frontal accident on March 6, 2025. When I turned to pull into the driveway of my rental apartment, I lost control of the vehicle. It surged forward, climbed a low retaining wall of about 14" and then hit a support post. I sat there stunned thinking "what just happened and how?" at first, I thought it was me, but thinking about it more, I'm wondering if this could be a potential safety problem. I have read several other similar instances on the internet, and someone I know had a similar accident which was attributed to her age. Collision repair for the Crosstrek was $10,358 done by a local facility, not Subaru. Repair of damage to the support post was $1,340. I reported this to Subaru, but after several follow-ups (last one on July 29, 2025), I still have not received a reply from Subaru. I can forward the email string to you if you want. I don't know how to attach it in one of the acceptable formats.

See all problems of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

Per NHTSA product campaign bulletin wre-21, all ignition coils on my 2019 Subaru Crosstrek premium were replace on August 9th, 2021. On November 26th 2024, the same vehicle experienced a total loss of motive power on a 50 mph, 2-lane road, resulting in emergency action to move the car off of the right-of-way. All occupants of the car were not injured. After the vehicle was towed to a Subaru dealership, the service notes stated “diagnosed no start scanned and found p1604 startability malfunction, and p0304 cylinder 4 misfire, checked fuel pressure and found it was within spec, found the ignition coil fuse was blown and upon further inspection found the cyl 4 coil pack shorted internally and the primary and secondary circuits connected blowing the fuse, coil pack and fuse will need to be replaced. ” the wording of the technician’s notes mirror the wording of the wre-21. The dealership offered a one-time free “goodwill replacement” of the part in question, but only for 1 cylinder. I believe further corrective action needs to be taken by the NHTSA to prevent total loss of motive power in affected Subaru Crosstreks.

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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.

See all problems of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

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.

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Car was at a stop light, went to accelerate and car would not accelerate- all the lights came on. I had to put it in park and turn it off and back on, then it accelerated and there were no other issues.

While driving on highway the engine died, I was able to pull over and stop safely. The engine turned over when I turned the key but would not start. The fuel gauge showed one full bar of fuel and the fuel mileage reading showed 60 miles till empty. I contacted roadside assistance and after 2 hours was able to put 4 gallons of fuel in the car. The car started normally and I was able to drive to gas station and fill up. The fuel gauge had never failed to accurately show the fuel in my car and the mileage range till empty was always accurate. I do not trust my cars fuel gauge anymore. I was lucky not to be in the city in rush hour and stuck in traffic. I will contact Subaru to report the problem.

See all problems of the 2014 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

The car's hybrid system failed. The problem was a poorly protected electrical cable and connector that is exposed under the car. It corroded and failed. The dealer cleaned it and it works again, but they think the issue will be ongoing. May be related to manufacturer recall number: wrd23 / NHTSA recall number:23v080000.

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.

My car has stopped working while driving 70 mph on the interstate in so separate occasions. Both times it has been driving fine, with fuel in the tank, and all of the sudden it shuts off and completely loses power. All of the warning lights on the dash light up and the only thing to do is to coast to the shoulder of the highway. Couldn’t start the car back up (cranked, no start). Battery is fine. Fuel level is fine. First time it happened it had to be towed. Towed to mechanic who ran diagnostics on it the next day but nothing threw a code. It started fine the next day. I’ve had certified Subaru mechanics tear this thing apart trying to figure out what causes the issue but they can’t find anything wrong. I’m scared this is going to happen again and will put me in a dangerous situation in the middle of a highway or on the side of the road. This is definitely an issue putting myself and others at risk. It seems similar to other issues Subaru Crosstreks have had in close model years to mine (20 where recalls have been issued for fuel pump malfunctions etc. Please look into this, this could cause a terrible wreck and needs to be resolved ASAP.

12042022 - not sure of cause, could be multiple as all systems just shut down for seconds, the car goes dead while driving down i235 at 70mph, first the radio turns off, then the car seemed to go to lower gear rpm to zero and just shut off at a high speed, no power on anything, then about 2. 5 seconds later it restated and continued, sputtered off again then powered back off and on again as I got off the highway, many warning lights came on including the lane warning, brake light, it was very scary at such a high speed. This car now seems to have little continued incidents of the same behavior for what has seemed to be spuratic but regular fits now and I have to have dependable transportation. Very easily could have caused an accident if the traffic was heavier when the incident occured.

See all problems of the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

My brand new Subaru ignited in the engine compartment, burst into flames and exploded while I was driving it.

This morning August 29 2022 I started my 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, when I put it in gear the car just took off before I could stop it. The idli when about 5000 rpm and then up and down. I was able to get the vehicle stopped and parked. I tried starting the vehicle again and the same. The vehicle is on its way to crews Subaru north charleston. Even the tow truck driver wouldn't drive the vehicle. This makes the vehicle unsafe. What if someone was walking past my driveway when this happen? it took about 40 feet to get the car stopped with my foot on the brake hard and to park the car. I have a video showing the rpm at 3900 but could upload it to your site.

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Engine burst into flames during normal highway driving. Vehicle was well-maintained with all scheduled maintenance performed during the life of the vehicle. Cel was lit approximately 1 week before fire but driveability was normal.

Involved in a collision, possibly related to the stall issues mentioned in the collision. Reported to the insurance. They are pending repair on the matter due to recall and entire engine was required, which is more than the car is valued for.

The stall led to a collision, bent cam shaft and need for total engine repair.

Stalls sometimes when in intersection or when making a turn from dead stop ,then goes along fine. Seems like it is fuel or computer problem.

I was crossing two lanes of a very busy ocean front street when the engine “bogged down” . I let off on the gas pedal and then depressed it again, which then caused the engine to go off. I the quickly restarted the engine and was able to get out of the way of oncoming traffic. This was the only time the engine failed, but on about three or four previous times, the engine “bogged down” when I depressed the gas pedal, but recovered after I quickly depressed the pedal again.

Unknown my Subaru has always had a little hesitation when accelerating. I brought this up to the dealer and they are telling me it is normal. However, in the last few months, it has gotten worse. Sometimes, when trying to accelerate into traffic, the car feels like it's going to stall or die, then it kicks in and I am able to accelerate. This is intermittent, so I never know when it's going to happen. This is a safety issue, since the hesitation could cause me to get hit.

While driving on the highway with a quarter tank of gas, without warning, my vehicle's engine turned off. As I was in the left lane at the time, I was forced to pull over onto the small shoulder. There were two other occupants in the car and the nearest roadside assistance was an hour away. There were no warning lights or messages prior, and my gas gauge said I had 80 miles until empty. This is the third time this has occurred. I believe this is related to a faulty fuel pump, because my gas tank was not empty. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police or insurance.

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.

Had been driving for about 15 minutes, majority of it had been on the highway, and I exited off the highway. I waited at a stop light and then turned onto a secondary road. The car all of a sudden gave all warning lights with the hybrid system and I lost acceleration in the vehicle. It made it very hard to steer, and when stepping on the gas it barely had any power to accelerate the vehicle. Felt like I lost the main power a d was using only the hybrid battery to power the vehicle. I pulled off on a side street put the car in park and shut the vehicle off. I waited a few minutes and then turned the car back on and everything was fine. This occurred while driving and if it had happened two minutes earlier I would've been on the highway and in real trouble.

Some time this car aceleraci�n more like put more full, I start to notice when I was driven in the specific speed and the car start to put more full and speed more than I was.

Upon accelerating, the engine seems to bog down and I lose speed. It has happened under many conditions—after turning a corner, going down a straightaway, and when accelerating to merge on a highway. This puts people in the car at risk and others traveling behind me. I took it to the dealer and they said that since they could not replicate it, there was nothing they could do. No warning lights seem to be involved. On the internet, posters refer to this as a "known problem" but no one has come up with a solution, nor have their dealers. It's troublesome. I know the 2018s have had a related problem. It's happened on many dates.

Cuts out momentarily when accelerator is pressed and dealer says thats normal. This is dangerous when merging in traffic.

Cuts out on accelerating.

Car hesitates on acceleration persists after recall (replacement of ignition coils). Condition persists since purchase (Nov, 2019). Numerous repair orders did not correct problem.

My vehicle (2016 Subaru Crosstrek, 74k miles) became completely unresponsive during highway speeds twice in one week. I was traveling approx. 80mph on the interstate when the gas pedal stopped working. My vehicle started to decelerate for a few seconds before completely shutting down and I was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle restarted almost immediately and I was able to drive the rest of the way home without incident. I called a Subaru dealership immediately the next morning and brought it in that same day where they found nothing wrong: no codes, no bulletins, or recalls, and they said it was probably just driver error. The very next day it happened again, the exact same scenario: driving 80mph when my gas pedal became unresponsive, the vehicle decelerated then died where I had to coast off the road. This time the car wouldn't start for about 30min despite multiple attempts (it would crank but not turn over). Then after sitting for about 30 min, it started just fine and I drove to my destination without any trouble. I called and made an appointment with a Subaru dealer (a different one) first thing, took it in, and was told once again that nothing was wrong. After doing some internet research I found a forum of Crosstrek owners that have the exact same issue, so I know it isn't "driver error" and I know that it isn't isolated. I don't know what part or system would be failing in this particular incident. . Read more...

My first Subaru. On the drive home from the dealership, a rock cracked the windsheild. Less than a week later, while traveling on a freeway for just a few minutes, another rock hit the windshield and caused a major crack/ long line across on another part of the window. So unexpected, unusual and I hope not predictive of consistent glass issues. The bigger issue is that upon acceleration, the acceleration often, briefly, loses power. Like something is impeding the fuel momentarily. I've become accustomed to it but it took some getting used to. I worry that it is the sign of a major defect/issue. The car is the current model year, though, I did purchase it with 6,000 miles on it. I've wondered if these issues are what caused the previous owner to trade it in within months of buying it new.

My wife was driving on the freeway going 45mph in a straight line when the vehicle suddenly lost all power and turned off. As a result my wife was rear ended but suffered no major physical injury. We brought the car to the manufacturer and they inspected it. However, they were not able to find any problems with the vehicle. A few months after the accident, there was a recall for this vehicle make and model for sudden loss of power but my VIN is not included in the recall.

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.

See all problems of the 2015 Subaru Crosstrek 🔎.

Car hesitates and stalls out at slow speeds and has stalled while pulling out into a intersection. We have taken it to the dealer and at first we're told nothing was wrong then they kept the car for seven days and found an issue with a sensor once replaced the car was running okay for a week then the hesitation and sluggishness is back and we are again told no codes are showing that the car is fine. I was driving and it almost stalled in an intersection again and was bogging out for a full minute before regaining power. The car is back at the dealer again!.

Vehicle was placed in reverse to back out of driveway. After backing into street the vehicle cane to a complete stop then the manual transmission was shifted into drive. I pressed on the gas pedal and the vehicle stalled for a few seconds then quickly accelerated at a very fast speed. This was on a busy road and the vehicle approaching my rear had to slam on its brakes to avoid a collision. Later in the same evening in a parking lot the same gear change problem happed again. After going from reverse then coming to a complete stop the vehicle was shifted to the drive position. The gas pedal was pressed then the vehicle came to a near stall. After a long delay the vehicle jolted forward. A person walking through the lot noticed my hesitation and thought I was letting them cross in front of me. My vehicle came within a couple feet of almost striking the pedestrian.

Car has hesitated and stumbled since new. Very low power. Taken to two different dealerships to correct problem. Recall for ignition down. Problem persists.