Problems · NHTSA complaints

2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid problems

Owners filed 94 complaints about the 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid with NHTSA between Jul 2015 and Apr 2025. The most-cited component is power train (23).

Complaints
94
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train23
  2. Electrical system19
  3. Engine17
  4. Service brakes9
  5. Vehicle speed control7
  6. Air bags5
  7. Structure4
  8. Steering4
  9. Exterior lighting3
  10. Fuel/propulsion system3
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)3
  12. Wheels2
  13. Seat belts1
  14. Tires1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20153
20169
20176
201816
201925
20206
202115
20224
20236
20243
20251

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

23 reports
“Several components' issues and scheduled to take back to Subaru dealer on 12/16/2022. Several times after parking car and getting back in, when shifting to 1st gear to take off, the car goes in reverse instead of forward. Rear backup camera sporadically works. Tire pressure light came on and won't turn off. Front end shakes when braking dealer said it was new brakes, but still happening. Front passenger seat belt locked and will not release, no one can sit in front seat. After purchasing the car, and having so many issues, checked the fluid and there was not a drop of oil on the dipstick. Nothing but problems with car from the date of purchase.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 13, 2022Power train, Electrical system, Seat beltsODI 11497332

Electrical system

19 reports
“Pressing the horn button on the steering wheel does not sound the horn. However, pushing the “lock” or “panic” button on the key fob still makes the horn beep. So the horn itself works, but pressing on the steering wheel does absolutely nothing. Other buttons on the steering column still work (cruise control, radio controls, etc). Only pressing the horn button doesn’t work thus making me unable to alert other drivers of my presence if they are drifting toward me. This has not been evaluated by a mechanic or dealer yet as I do not have the money to do so. However, a simple search on Reddit will show you that many others are experiencing this with their Subaru Crosstreks. There were no symptoms or issues that led to this. It simply stopped working one day. And I am not someone who hits their horn very often so this is not an overuse issue. Once the horn button stopped working on the steering wheel, it has not worked since. I have not had the ability to alert drivers with my horn for over a month.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11653762

Engine

17 reports
“Oil leaking into coolant system. Car has been through several repairs but the problem continues even after multiple repairs of possible source of leakage. Potential hazard or car catching on fire with leaking oil fluid.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 17, 2024EngineODI 11589391

Service brakes

9 reports2 crashes1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU XV CROSSTREK. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT IT FAILED TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF FOR THIRTY MINUTES TO ONE HOUR OR MORE IN ORDER TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO. AT THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DICK HANNAH SUBARU (7407 NE VANCOUVER PLAZA DR, VANCOUVER, WA 98662, (360) 605-1520) FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED OVER EIGHT TIMES BY TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2019Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11254735

Vehicle speed control

7 reports2 crashes
“The contact owned a 2015 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while driving 20-25 MPH and making a left in the roundabout of a residential road, she felt a rear impact and all the air bags deployed. The vehicle then accelerated unintendedly, veered to the right, jumped the curb, and crashed into a tree. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact stated that she sustained significant Hematomas on her left and right calves from the knee air bags deployment. The contact sought medical assistance, A police report was filed. Bystanders informed the contact that the vehicle was not rear-ended; however, the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was towed to an autobody shop where it was totaled. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent a field investigator who retrieved the EDR. The manufacturer then informed the contact that the vehicle had experienced a rear impact and responded as needed based on the EDR. However, the contact stated upon inspecting the vehicle after the accident, the rear of the vehicle did not display signs of a rear impact. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 2, 2023Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11505163

Air bags

5 reports2 crashes
“The contact owned a 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek. The contact stated while driving 15 mph, they pulled up to a red light and stopped, when the light turned green the contact was making a right turn when a 26-foot truck ran thru the light and crashed into the front driver side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated on the vehicle. The contact sustained an injured neck, bruises, and a muscle tear in the left side of their chest. There was medical treatment at the scene where the ambulance took the contact to the hospital by ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where the contact insurance company inspected the vehicle and deemed the vehicle as a total loss. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure The failure mileage was approximate 55,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2021Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11428527
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.