Subaru Crosstrek owners have reported 23 wheel related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common wheel problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's wheel (23 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Wheel problems |
Wheel bearing failure resulting in replacement of the bearing and the integral hub at a cost of ~$750 (independent service center diagnosed and replaced the failed unit). Vehicle had only 42,000 miles and had developed a "rumble" which was thought to be related to seasonal temperature changes/tire tread. Sudden/catastrophic seizing of a failed wheel bearing can cause a loss of control and accident, thus this report as to the potential severity of the issue. No automated warnings other than a noticeable rumble when vehicle was in motion with increased severity over a few weeks. Manufacturer advised by email of the situation. Vehicle repaired and invoice attached to this report.
The affected component of this vehicle is the braking system. When rocks or gravel get stuck to, in, on, or around the brake pads/brakes the braking system is compromised. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. When gravel gets stuck in, on, and around the brake pads, the safe operation of the braking system malfunctions. If the vehicle braking system does not work as designed/intended, lives are at risk. When you need to brake, the braking system needs to be reliable. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? yes, upon taking the vehicle back to the dealer, the service manager confirmed this is a known defect by both sales and service teams. The service manager said this happens often and we should expect it to happen again. The service manager told me this vehicle is not to be driven on gravel. This was not disclosed at the time of purchase. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? the dealer service department inspected the vehicle when it was towed back to them for service related to this problem. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? no, there was no warning. The brakes failed to operate properly, they did not completely fail.
The low tire pressure light came on and noted the left front tire had 27 pounds of pressure. Inspection revealed tire cord damage only on the inside edge of both front tires. This is clearly a suspension defect as the car only has 29000 miles. The rear tires have been checked to have 6. 5/32 and the front are less than that. Tire wear appears to be even across the face of the tire but the inner edge is extremely dangerous and likely would blow if we did not notice this. We called Subaru of America and they said it’s a tire problem and to consult the manufacturer. This is not a tire problem as the rear are not showing the cords. We discussed this with the dealer but they can’t do anything for the premature wear. We are told we must replace all 4 tires as two new ones would be larger than the rear with 60 pct wear. Tire info is falken ziexze001aa/s. Dot 1r800 fm2r1623yread wear 360, traction a, temp a. Size 225 25r18max load 850kg, tread wear 380.
On 12/6/22, 1 wheel lug nut seized up on the lug and then the lug snapped off when trying to remove the nut. On 3/6/24, 3 lug nuts seized up on the lugs when attempting to remove the lugs. On both occasions, I have had to bring the vehicle in for repairs to have the lugs and nuts replaced. Total cost of these repairs approx $250. On 3/6/24, I called Subaru of America (1-800-782-2783) to report the issue of lugs nuts seizing up on my Subaru (3 today and 1 in December 2022). The representative took down my information but other than that, was not very helpful. I asked if she could have an investigation done to see if this is a systemic problem with the 2018 Crosstreks or with Subaru in general. Her response was for me to “google the issue myself” and then call them back if I found out anything. She offered essentially no help. In more than 40 years of working on cars, I have never had a lug nut seize up on a lug stud. Since this has now happened 4 times in the last 15 months, on the same vehicle, this seems to be a systemic problem and should be investigated.
Wheel bearing go out after 40k plus miles. After doing research on my own wheels bearings it appears that this is a very common issue for this vehicle. This is not a lot of miles to have on a car before wheel bearings (rear) go bad. Causing extensive damage if not caught and a safety hazard for those opporating the vehicle.
While at posted highway speeds through twisting roads, the vehicle developed a wheel vibration. Stopped to inspect the wheels, found right rear wheel missing 4 of 5 lug bolts. Lug bolts were sheared off. Vehicle has 81,000 miles, tires rotated 7 months prior to this event.
Car was pulled in to a parking spot in front of the store and stopped and suddenly moved forward over the curb, onto the sidewalk and then crashed into the doors and building.
Greetings: as outlined in service bulletin 05-70-19, rear wheel backing plate design change, I am having an almost overwhelming “whining or humming” sound coming from the rear portion of my vehicle. Given the significance of this wheel bearing & backing plate issue, I respectfully request an recall & subsequent repair be initiated. Coupled with a very large number of related customer issues - globally - this issue should have already met-the-bar for a recall vs. Safety bulletin. It’s obvious there are safety-related design flaws - again, given the overall number of required repairs - and this should be addressed accordingly. Thank you.
I have had to replace 3 back wheel bearings in less than a year. I replaced both back wheel bearings at different times, and the I just had to replace another one. The parts were brand new. If they had broken while I was driving my 45 minute commute on the interstate to work, it would have killed me. Or if it had broken while transporting my 15 year old daughter, it would have killed us both. There is absolutely no reason for wheel bearings to have to be replaced within 100,000 miles. I had just reached 78,000 when I had to replace the first one. I'm so frustrated with this car that I will never own another Subaru. The only sign that they were going bad was a loud hum while driving it. No warning lights or anything came on. I had them all replaced by an automotive garage.
Premature rear wheel bearing failure, both rear wheels at 29,000 miles. Dealer service technician states vehicle is unsafe to drive.
Right rear wheel bearing failure at around 71,000 miles. Loud, humm occurs around at around 35 mph and above.
At approximately 67,300 miles, while performing routine maintenance, my mechanic discovered that my front wheel bearing set needed replacing. Soon after that, I heard a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. At first, my mechanic couldn't diagnose the problem. When the noise got louder, I returned to my mechanic, and he discovered that the wheel bearings in both of my rear wheels needed replacing. The vehicle had 81,565 miles at the time he replaced them. With some internet research, I found that many Subaru owners with the same vehicle had experienced the same problem. I also found a bulletin from Subaru describing a faulty rear wheel backing plate (bulletin # 05-70-19). If Subaru had notified me of the defect, I could have had it promptly replaced. Instead, they risked my safety, as a wheel could have stopped while I was driving. I chose not to take it to the dealer, because it is a 1. 5 hour drive from my home, on a remote highway. Diagnosis and repair would have been separate appointments, 2 weeks apart, and the dealer told me the chance of reimbursement was 50%. This vehicle is available for inspection.
Cv axles click when turning. Cv axles could break at any given point. If not fixed you could lose control of your car causing death to yourself or others while driving or render your car driveless. I've looked online and many other 2017 cross track owners have the same problem. So why is this not a recall.
There is a grinding noise coming from one of my wheels . I'm pretty sure it's a bad wheel bearing . Noticed the noise after braking very hard to avoid a collision . Have had the SUV looked at test driven by an independent mechanic . He believes it is the wheel bearing.
I recently switched tires from winter to summer tires. I brought in my Subaru into the fremont Subaru service center for service. I wanted to check all the nuts holding the tire on were properly torqued. I trusted them to do a good job, a couple days later while pulling out of my driveway I was rolling down the road when I heard a thumping noise. One of the nuts was missing from the tire and all the nuts on the front tire were extremely loose. This is dangerous and I am glad my tire did not fall off at high speed.
At less than 60,000 miles my wheel bearings started making a loud humming noise. The noise getting louder the faster I go. It's is a constant noise that only goes away when I stop. I have never taken the car off road.
When turning clicking noise was coming from wheel area. Car has only 50,000 miles. When I took car in for oil check mechanic checked it out for me. They ended up replacing the passenger cv axle.
Rumble noise coming from rear of vehicle while driving. Upon inspection, it was found that right wheel bearing and hub assembly needed replaced. This could cause the wheel to fall off.
I lease a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. The car has been faithfully maintained as per manufacturer specifications and has never been in an accident/experienced any body damage. The rear wheel bearings have failed three times prior to 48k. The left wheel bearing was replaced twice between 48k and 55 k and the right wheel bearing was replaced around 52k. Apparently, this is a common defect and the dealer noted that all wheel bearings on every Subaru fail prior to 50k. For a rather pricey car, this is unacceptable and a huge safety hazard. If the wheel bearings fail, it could lock up one wheel and cause the car to flip unexpectedly while driving additionally, you will drive the car one day without any issue and literally, the next day, you will start to hear a low groaning noise. I would like the nhsta to open a defects investigation as they can find the same problem across every Subaru model from 2013-forward when the wheel bearing design was changed. Dealer records and warranty repairs can indicate this. The design allows for water and road debris to get inside of the bearing, causing premature wear and failure. It is unacceptable to have to replace wheel bearings on cars every 50k. My last vehicle (2007 Hyundai sonata) drove flawlessly until 277k and I never had to change a wheel bearing in the 10 years I owned that vehicle. Shame on Subaru!.
Rumble noise coming from rear of vehicle while driving. Upon inspection, it was found that left wheel bearing and hub assembly and brake backing plate needed replaced. Without replacement, wheel could fall off.
Vehicle was climbing a residential street with a gradual incline in snow approximately 3 inches of fresh powder with no ice underneath. Vehicle had only 3,150 miles on the odometer and the tires were stock all season yokohama with a good mud/tread rating. The vehicle was climbing the hill very well until at the crest a check engine light and awd light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The tires failed to clean the snow properly and I slid back into a guardrail for approximately 500 feet and there was cosmetic damage to the vehicle as well as the right wheel was bent. Dealership where I traded the vehicle into had 2 other customers trade their 2018 Crosstreks due to poor awd system and very dangerous all season tires.
Rumble noise coming from rear of vehicle while driving. Upon inspection, it was found that right wheel bearing and hub assembly needed replaced. Without replacement, wheel could fall off.
My 2013 Subaru xv Crosstrek was purchased brand new in September 2013. Within 65k miles I had to replace the cv joint on both front wheels (issue was indicated by a clicking sound from the wheel when turning right or left). Again, at around 120k miles I had to replace them both, and now, a third time at 182k miles. After doing much research this is a common issue on the xv Crosstrek that is not related to driving conditions, road conditions, or due to physical damage to the part or vehicle. Each of the times the cv joint was replaced the boot was intact, which indicates that it is a faulty part or assembly rather than damage occurring to the wheel. Each of these repairs costs approximately $500 at the dealership (per wheel) and is not covered under warranty. The number of complaints regarding this should require Subaru of America to voluntarily recall or repair this part free of charge. Additionally, if this part fails while the vehicle is in motion, severe transmission damage will result and an accident is likely. My experience with my first Subaru has been nothing but expensive, and burdensome repairs to a car which is supposed to have the "lowest cost of ownership" as they advertise to consumers.