Common Subaru Crosstrek Failures: Problems, Disadvantages, And Criticisms

Subaru has a reputation for being dependable and trustworthy, their cars tend to retain their value, which means they have a high resale value. Here we will talk about common Subaru Crosstrek failures , read on!

Every car make has a problem child, and since the Crosstrek was a new design and platform in 2012, the bugs are still being ironed out. However, while it has some problems compared to other cars in the niche, the Crosstrek still stands out from a lot of the competition.]

How good is the Subaru Crosstrek?

Like other Subaru’s, the Crosstrek holds its value better than its competitors. Like Toyota, Subaru has a good reputation for dependability, dependability, and toughness.

The Crosstrek may have some problems, but Subaru is diligent in fixing the problems with the cars so they don’t run in the next model year. Of course, all manufacturers take this precaution. However, Subaru does it better than many other automakers.

Common Subaru Crosstrek Faults

The first generation of the Crosstrek began in 2012, when it replaced the Subaru Outback Sport. In 2017, a facelifted model was introduced, and Subarus engineers have eliminated most of the kinks. However, the Crosstrek model year that has caused the most problems has been 2013.

Subaru has taken great strides to update the Crosstrek every year. The Crosstrek is Subaru’s biggest award winner. As a result, a Crosstrek will hold its resale value better than almost any car on the market.

Here are the most common problems with Subaru Crosstrek models.

1. Problems with auto start/stop systems on some models

Motors that stop when you stop and restart when it’s time to move have been around since the 1970s. They don’t seem to work much better now than they did then.

Some car manufacturers have perfected their start-stop systems so that they work perfectly. However, Subaru continues to have problems with the start -stop function of their engines. This system can be disabled on the Crosstrek. However, the fix is ​​not permanent and it will return to its original settings once you turn off the car.

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the added wear and tear that start/stop systems can add to an engine. Cars with this system often have reinforced starter motors. The Crosstrek also has a feature that prevents the engine cutoff from operating when the engine is under load.

A running air conditioner and other events will cause the start/stop function to disengage, giving the engine the power it needs to run your car’s components. However, the number of times any engine is started and stopped can add excessive wear.

2. Brake light switch failure

There have been faulty brake light switches on many Crosstreks that do not turn on the brake lights when the brake pedal is depressed. The consensus as to why this can happen is that the cleaning products used to clean a Crosstrek can gum up the switch that activates the brake lights.

In 2019, Subaru recalled 2.3 million cars to fix this problem. So if you buy a 2019 or earlier Crosstrek make sure this warranty work has been done.

Brake light failure can lead to a ticket or worse, a rear-end collision and is a problem that needs to be corrected as soon as possible. A failing brake light switch on the Crosstrek can affect other systems.

On the Crosstrek, this fault can also affect the transmission and ignition lock . For example, if the brake switch is faulty, a car with a push-button start may not start.

Likewise, the transmission will likely not kick in if it gets into gear. A faulty brake switch can affect a car’s other systems besides its brake lights.

Another system that may not work properly if the brake switch is faulty is Subaru’s ” Eyesight ” system. This is Subaru’s lane management system, and it can be disabled if the brake light switch doesn’t work.

3. Excessive oil consumption

Subaru claims that its F-series Boxer engines are built to looser tolerances than previous engines. According to Subaru, if a Subaru engine burns a third of a pint of oil every 1200 miles, this is pretty normal.

However, an engine that burns that much oil will keep you constantly on your toes, making sure it’s topped up. If Crosstrek owners don’t pay attention, the oil can get too low and can cause permanent engine damage.

The government has required that all cars achieve a certain mpg mark on each model. Unfortunately, the Subaru has a horizontally-opposed four-cylinder Boxer engine that has been difficult to tune for this purpose.

The addition of continuously variable transmissions (CVT) has helped with this problem. However, by lowering the engine tolerances and using very light synthetic oil, the result is an engine that burns more oil than it should.

4. Premature rust and corrosion

Today’s cars are protected from corrosion like never before. But while Subaru has shown problems with underbody rust, it can be extensive enough to threaten the integrity of your car.

Road salt is to blame in this case, as is a lack of rust protection for the underbody. If you live where salt is used on the roads in winter, frequent underbody washing can prevent some of this damage. Coating your Subaru’s underbody when it’s new can help prevent excessive rust.

There was a time when an undercoat was applied to all new cars. Whether stock or as an aftermarket add-on, it’s still a good idea, especially for an all-wheel-drive vehicle with off-road capabilities.

5. Problems with the Subaru Eyesight system

Subaru’s Eyesight system monitors the car’s position relative to the road. It will alert you if you drift out of your lane or don’t brake as soon as you think you should. Unfortunately, this system has been plagued with problems since its inception.

This type of security system has proven to be invaluable when it works. But when they don’t, they can be dangerous and cause rather than prevent an accident. Not well.

According to Subaru, the Eyesight system is designed to control the following functions of your vehicle:

• The pre-collision braking system
• The pre-collision braking assistant
• Accelerator management before the collision
• lane departure warning
• lane departure warning
• Lane keeping assist with off-road prevention
• Conventional and adaptive cruise control
• Leading Vehicle Start Alert

All of these security features are great when they work in sync. But, Eyesight’s problem seems to be the communication between its components.

6. Subaru’s use of soy-based wiring attracts rodents.

This may be an ecological idea gone awry . In trying to fix one problem, Subaru created another. The soy-based product used to coat the Subaru’s electrical wires is tempting to rodents, which use it for their nests.

Until a family of mice or squirrels nests in your engine and makes themselves at home, it’s hard to understand how something so small can be so destructive. Soy-based wire liners have the advantage of being eco-friendly and less expensive than plastic.

It can mean initial savings; however, the cost of replacing wiring chewed by rodents is expensive. Let’s say a rodent nests in the wiring and invades the engine compartment of your car or another area; the cost of damage can far exceed the initial savings.

A new wiring harness for a car can cost anywhere from $1,300 to $1,700, and can even cost $500 or more for labor to install the wiring. It is inconceivable that the cost of wiring was reduced by these amounts when the car was initially built. However, if a rodent infestation occurs in your vehicle, it will be your turn to repair it.

7. Transmission reliability

Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) help improve fuel economy. However, the CVT in the Crosstrek seems to wear out faster than conventional gearboxes. It is without a doubt one of the worst common Subaru Crosstrek failures.

Like the other issues here, this crash doesn’t seem to be related to all model years. However, vehicles with the problem show hesitation when accelerating and shakiness when slowing down. Both are signs of a problem, and the cost to fix the CVT once it’s out of warranty is expensive.

Since Subaru began using the CVT transmission in 2009, the transmission style has been questionable when used in vehicles. Touted as a lifetime transmission when first adopted by Subaru, it seems the life of some CVT transmissions lasts as long as the warranty.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Subaru Crosstrek

Although there are common faults with the Crosstrek, like all cars, it is more reliable than many vehicles of the same style. Plus, with all-wheel drive as a standard feature, the Subaru Crosstrek is likely to be a better deal than its competitors.

Most other vehicles that compare to the Crosstrek do not have four-wheel drive as a standard feature.

Subaru Crosstrek Pros:

• Along with the Subaru Impreza, the Crosstrek is one of the cheapest all-wheel drive cars on the market.
• An optional turbocharged 2.5-litre Boxer engine
• Comfortable seats throughout the cabin
• The cabin is also highly functional, with an easy-to-use infotainment system.
• Optional Harmon Kardon sound system
• More than 20 cm of ground clearance to overcome potholes and trails.
• Fuel economy for an SUV is a fair 27 miles per gallon in the city, 34 miles per gallon on the highway, and 29 miles per gallon combined.

Cons of the Subaru Crosstrek:

• The Crosstrek has less cargo space than the competition due to its sloped rear hatch design.
• The Crosstrek’s handling isn’t as positive as other Subaru models. As with many tall vehicles, the ride height adds excessive body roll when cornering.
• The base engine, while adequate, doesn’t offer much revs and is noisier than the optional turbocharged 2.5-liter engine.
• The failure of the Eyesight system to function properly when facing directly into the sun or in other situations can be annoying for Crosstrek owners dealing with these issues.

What do the reviews say?

The comments and opinions about the Subaru Crosstrek that stand out the most are:

This SUV that is the baby of the Subaru family shares its outdoor image with its siblings, but its home is on the road, not the streets.

The Crosstrek offers a model for the entire subcompact SUV segment. The way it balances capability, versatility, performance, and value earns it a high position in the rankings.