2024 Subaru Crosstrek
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Exterior lighting is the leading concern among 118 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 14 Crosstrek model years with reports.
Of the 2024 reports, 10 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 3 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, driveline, driveshaftNov 9, 2023
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRP-23.
Campaign 23V754000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelAug 4, 2023
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek and Impreza vehicles. Due to insufficient clearance, the instrument panel harness may contact the steering beam bracket, damaging the wire insulation and causing a short circuit.
A short circuit may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect the harness and install an additional clamp on the steering beam bracket. If damage is found, dealers will add protective tape or replace the instrument panel harness, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 3, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-23.
Campaign 23V551000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
118 reports, newest first.
Visibility, Dec 31, 2025
1. Component/System Failure The rearview mirror became completely detached from its mounting on the windshield. The detached mirror is still available for inspection upon request. Subaru has declined my reasonable request to either repair it or reimburse me for the time and effort required to arrange and perform the repair. 2. Risk to Safety This sudden detachment posed a serious safety hazard. While driving, the mirror unexpectedly fell into my line of sight, causing me to brake immediately. Fortunately, this occurred while I was driving at low speed on a local road; had it happened on a highway, the risk of collision or a multi-vehicle accident would have been significant. 3. Problem Reproduction / Confirmation The issue has not yet been confirmed or replicated by any dealer or independent service center. Subaru refused to facilitate an inspection or to cover the costs associated with taking the vehicle to a facility able to assess the defect. Their position effectively obstructs verification of the issue by a qualified technician. 4. Inspections by Others No inspections have been conducted by Subaru, law enforcement, insurance representatives, or other third parties. Given Subaru’s refusal to authorize and cover the costs of inspection, I’ve been prevented from obtaining an objective technical evaluation. 5. Warnings or Symptoms There were no prior warning signs—no noise, movement, or looseness. The detachment was entirely random. This unanticipated failure further demonstrates a latent defect in the mirror’s attachment system.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 29, 2025, crash
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek brakes engaged TWICE without the driver pushing on the brakes, slowing the car down significantly. The initial vehicle speed was around 65 mph on the highway, and slowed to around 45 mph after the second automatic braking incident occurred. Adaptive cruise control was NOT on. The car in front of the Crosstrek was 8-10 car lengths away. Then while the Crosstrek was still moving, a truck hit the back right bumper of the Crosstrek and pushed it into the next lane to the left. (I), the driver of the Crosstrek, was able to steer back into the original lane of travel to the right. After the Crosstrek was steered back to the original lane of travel, it came to a stop due to right rear axle damage. The Crosstrek driver was able to creep to the shoulder to wait for emergency personnel to arrive. The safety of myself and others, due to the Crosstrek (Eyesight?) malfunction, is extremely important to investigate. This safety feature when engaged unexpectedly is dangerous. When drivers do not have control over the braking system of the car, sudden and unexpected slow-downs can lead to rear-end accidents, and even the loss of life. When I was pushed to another lane of travel, a secondary accident could have occurred, or a chain-reaction with many cars. I did not see or hear any warnings, messages, or experience any unusual symptoms before the car braked on its own and I was rear-ended. After I crept to the right shoulder of the interstate, the Crosstrek was still running and there were no warnings or messages. Since the Nov 11 accident, Dean Team Dealership in Ballwin MO has reported the issue. State Farm Insurance has totaled the 24 Subaru Crosstrek, recovered data from the Event Date Recorder (EDR), and is discussing the vehicle losses with Subaru Corporation. [XXX] is receiving chiropractic care also. Additionally, there similar reported incidents on websites—Reddit and [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Tires, Dec 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek equipped with Falken Tires, Tire Line: Ziex ZE001A A/S, Tire Size: 225/55/R18, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the front driver's side of the vehicle suddenly lowered. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road, where the contact became aware that the side wall of the front driver's side tire had blown out in 5 different places. The contact replaced the tire with the spare tire. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact completed some research and learned that the tire failure was a known failure. The tires were OEM tires, but the contact intended to replace all four tires. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.
Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2025
Advertisements routinely pop up on infotainment screen and block safety features like X Mode (for snow). They are a driving distraction, as they block all features on the screen and will not disappear until they are interacted with. This means that in inclement weather, I have to INTERACT WITH AN AD before using this safety feature. SiriusXM has refused to remove them. Subaru has said there is nothing they can do. This was also NOT disclosed to me upon purchase of the vehicle, so this is also a dishonest business practice on top of being a safety hazard by: not allowing usage of safety features and being a driving distraction. First and second incident was in November 2024, third was December 4, 2024. Most recent incidents occurred November 22, 2025 and December 2nd, 2025. I have photos as proof.
Other or unspecified, Dec 3, 2025
This is the second time this has occurred. While driving (vehicle in motion for multiple minutes beforehand), an ad for SiriusXM radio popped up on my infotainment, which disables CarPlay, A/C controls, car settings, driver assistance settings, etc. until you dismiss the ad. There is no way to dismiss the ad except clicking a small “X” button in the corner, which is difficult and dangerous to do while driving because you have to really focus on the screen and tapping the right spot. Absolutely unacceptable and inappropriate to show an ad like that. If I were driving at night or in the rain, there is a high likelihood I would crash, and that chance is not zero even in good daytime weather. It also forces me to do something illegal (interact w screen while driving).
Other or unspecified, Dec 3, 2025
Infotainment displayed an advertisement for serius XM radio while I was using navigation and operating the vehicle on the roadway.
Other or unspecified, Dec 2, 2025
Advertisements from serious xm taking over the screen. Distracting me from the road because I had to close the ad and open CarPlay back up. This is unacceptable!
Other or unspecified, Dec 2, 2025
While driving, the infotainment screen was overtaken with an advertisement for SiriusXM radio which had to be manually cleared by hitting an X button on the screen. The vehicle was in motion when the advertisement appeared and completely covered the screen. At the time of the incident, the vehicle had been on and driving for over an hour.
Other or unspecified, Nov 26, 2025
About 5 minutes after I started driving, an ad for Sirius-XM radio subscription appeared on my infotainment system. It took up the entire screen, covering my AC controls and Apple CarPlay navigation - this meant that I was required to interact with/dismiss the ad. Because it was shown when I was driving (in motion), I was forced to unsafely and illegally interact with the touch screen to re-enable the functionality of my car. Showing an ad in the car is unacceptable in general, but especially in a situation when the car is in motion, where it poses a significant safety risk.
Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2025
Ad for Sirius XM popped up on infotainment center AS I WAS DRIVING. This caused an unexpected interruption in my ability to drive safely. Subaru gives you zero option to opt out and I have repeatedly had this pop up on my screen. I bought and paid for this vehicle and they should not be allowed to place ANY ADS on the infotainment center.
Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2025
While driving, the infotainment system, which I was using for navigation, popped up an ad for SiriusXM radio. This distracted me, as the driver, while I was trying to use the navigation system to find my way. Thankfully, I was on a road with a speed limit of 30 mph, and an area that I am familiar with. However, there should be ZERO tolerance for advertisements on automotive infotainment systems.
Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2025
On infotainment touchscreen, repeated Sirius XM ads are shown while the vehicle is in operation. This is distracting and dangerous as the ads obscure actual critical functions like climate control, navigation, and vehicle settings until I tap the X on the ad to close it. Running ads while the vehicle is driving is not safe - this puts myself and other drivers at risk by introducing an unnecessary distraction. I cannot stress enough that these ads only appear WHILE the vehicle is driving.
Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2025
Distracting SiriusXm adds keep blocking navigation requiring physical input from driver to clear.
Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2025
While I was driving the other day my entire infotainment screen (which shows my map, as well as climate controls) was completely overtaken by a giant ad for Sirius XM radio service. It was the ENTIRE screen and it required me to take my focus off of the road long enough to determine what was happening on the screen, find a button to make it go away, then accurately tap the button while driving. This was EXTREMELY DANGEROUS and I don't know how it is legal! WHY are they allowed to project an ad into my field of vision, distracting my focus and potentially causing a deadly accident? This needs to be stopped! I love Subaru, but they need to stop endangering our lives with ads for satellite radio service I already don't want WHILE I'M DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2025
I am not a customer of Sirius XM, so approximately once per month, an ad appears on my screen for a Sirius XM free trial. This is incredibly distracting and dangerous as it takes up the entire screen and requires me to take my eyes off the road to click the close button.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2025
Advertisement for XM radio service popped up on console screen of the car, and would not go away unless manually dismissed (touch) - while driving, covering the entire screen. This is entirely unnecessary and distracting, all to serve an advertisement for a service I don't want or use.
Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2025
Advertisements for SiriusXM radio are being pushed to the infotainment system. These ads temporarily render all radio and climate controls as unavailable until driver taps on screen to disable the notification… causing driver to take eyes off of the road.
Other or unspecified, Nov 23, 2025
Sirius XM ad shows up randomly on infotainment screen. It completely takes over the screen, distracting, and no way to disable it.
Other or unspecified, Nov 23, 2025
While driving in Alaska during icy conditions my entire display for my infotainment screen changed abruptly. I glanced over at this to see if this was important information as it doesn't usually do thing. Upon looking I realized this was an advertisement for Sirius XM radio free until December 1st. In order to get back to my normal navigation I had to click a small red X on the screen. This entire situation cause me to swerve and slide on the ice and almost go off into a ditch. This is extremely negligent behavior to display an advertisement while a car is in full motion and I, as the driver, am expected. To keep my eyes on the road.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 19, 2025
Automatic braking: One incident of the automatic braking system engaging on a side street when the road was clear of obstacles. The road surface had been prepared for some kind of minor work in the center of the road - there were regularly intermittent disturbances to the otherwise smooth surface. These appeared to be small prox 6-8” square cuts in the surface. On two occasions the car braked suddenly and sharply in front of these disturbed areas. Potential risk from a following car.. Steep, windy road with cars parked on either side. Weather clear. I have not yet reported this to the dealer so it has not yet been inspected. I did not notice any other signs or warning systems prior to this event and during the event I was distracted by the event itself and too busy looking for vehicles that might hit me from behind,etc. to notice.
Steering, Nov 6, 2025
POWER STEERING ISSUE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CONDITIONS: LANE CENTERING TURNED OFF. LANE DEPARTURE TURNED OFF. STRAIGHT LINE HWY DRIVING. OCCURS AFTER CONSTANT DRIVING OVER 60 MINUTES. MOST NOTICEABLE ABOVE 50 MPH ISSUE BEGAN AFTER ABOUT 15,000 MILES SYMPTOMS: WHEN VEHICLE DRIFTS SLIGHTLY OFF CENTER LINE RIGHT OR LEFT WITH ABOUT PLUS OR MINUS 5 DEGREES STEERING INPUT FROM STEERING CENTER POSITION. THE POWER STEERING BECOMES STICKY WITH RESISTANCE. IT FEELS LIKE POWER STEERING IS GRABBING HOLD THEN RELEASING. OCCASIONALLY SIMULATES A TOE-OUT ALIGNMENT CONDITION. EXAMPLE: VEHICLE DRIFTS SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT-OF-CENTER OR LEFT-OF-CENTER THEN DRIVER ATTEMPTS A VERY SLIGHT OPPOSITE CORRECTION INPUT, THE STEERING FEELS RESISTANT AS THOUGH IT IS STUCK IN POSITION THEN STEERING QUICKLY RELEASES HOLD CAUSING A SLIGHT STEERING JERK. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE UNEXPECTEDLY AND DANGEROUSLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO POTENTIALLY CROSS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR INTO ADJACENT LANE TRAFFIC. STEERING GOES FROM NORMAL RESISTANCE THEN STIFF THEN SUDDENLY TOO LOOSE. THEN REPEAT OVER AND OVER… CAUSING CONSTANT DANGEROUS SWERVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NOTE: THIS OCCURS EVEN WHEN ALL EYESIGHT AND LANE CENTERING/DEPARTURE IS OFF OR DISABLED.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 30, 2025, crash
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.
Steering, Sep 27, 2025
When driving long distances, the steering wheel encounters a sticky area where the steering wheel gets stiff to turn and then all of a sudden loosens up causing excessive corrections. This issue is apparently the same that was experienced by Honda owners. my car only has less than 10k miles. This can be dangerous for drivers who are not that experienced.
Tires, Sep 18, 2025
225 /60 R 17 99H Was driving on a freeway when heard a pop, pulled over immediately on left shoulder and tire had holes in sidewall putting me in a very dangerous situation. Yokohama consumer affairs could care less about the situation, I hope people dont hurt driving with these tires.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 2, 2025
Driver side exterior mirror has a vibration over 60 mph. The passenger side is fine. I reported to Subaru America at dealership but they will not acknowledge the defect. It makes it difficult to see while vibrating. No warning lights or anything are on. Yes, it is available for inspection.