5.7

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,867 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Subaru Crosstrek steering problems

steering problem

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2018 Subaru Crosstrek Owner Comments

problem #6

Jan 192023

Crosstrek 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is the 4th Time Since 2022, that my steering wheel has locked after driving. If the steering wheel is to the left when I go to turn it off and not in the middle it will lock. I had to call again Suburu assistance. The first time was in Hartsdale, NY 2022, the 2nd time was in Larchmont, NY had to call the police, the 3rd time was 2022 in Key Ford in Buhre and Westchester Avenue, and the 4th time in my driveway 2023. Each time it took forever for the men to unlock the steering wheel, I am a women and my girlfriend tried with no avail. I am terrified I will be on a road trip with my son and get stuck. When you put in the key and turn it supposed to unlock. Each man had to force the wheel with heavy pressure to unlock the vehicle. I have a video. This is the 2nd report I made of this.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #5

Nov 262022

Crosstrek

  • miles
-driving at moderate pace between 30 and 40 mph when vehicle engine shut off without warning. loss of power, no steering and all warning lights illuminated. difficulty getting vehicle over to side of road so not in way of traffic. braking was difficult once on side of road.

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #4

Jul 042022

Crosstrek 4-cyl

  • miles
This issue has happen 2 other times one time last year where Suburu Tow Truck had to be called, 2nd time May 2022 in Larchmont, NY and a Police Office Had To Come Help Me. And, the 3rd time on July 4, 2022, in the super market of Key Food, Throggsneck, NY a stranger had to help me. When, I park my car and I turn off my ignition and the steering wheel is to the left it will lock. The manual says when the steering wheel locks to insert the key and slightly turn the wheel and it will unlock. Well I am not strong enough to do it. Usually, men come to assist me and they have trouble unlocking it. There is something definately not right. I should never have to go through so much trouble and why is my steering wheel locking. I also have issue with my car staining in various places. I don't eat in my car and my car is under a port in a shaded area. I have taking it to the dealer and reported it to suburu they said nothing. But, my car keeps staining. I had my car since 2017. And, I had multiple problems with it. The air conditioner doesn't cool enough, even when it is 70 degrees inside or out, the hose has be change multiple times, my tires rotors have always been black and I never take to a car wash i wash it at home and dry it wheel by wheel, and the back door does open properly and I have been hit in the head several times. I had computer problems where it keeps being reprogramed. But, the steering wheel is freaking me out I have a child and being lockout of my vehicle because I can't turn it on is very dangerous. Please assist. I have a video. it won't let me upload the video? Why [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #3

Apr 022021

Crosstrek

  • 64,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Popping noise when turning to the right or the left only during a short range turn, had it to the dealership they couldn't hear the noise- as soon as they gave it back it was still popping, it is very frustrating. I have found online that there could be many issues, but was a recall on earlier models. Maybe 2018 should be recalled as well. Was at the dealer 4/2/2021- bought the car July 2020

- Horseheads, NY, USA

problem #2

Feb 232019

Crosstrek

  • 24,000 miles
Upon starting car in driveway found power steering sluggish and requiring great force (operative, but no apparent boost). Engine sluggisn like limp-home mode. Additionally mil, tc and other lights illuminated on dash. I took photo. I forget if it threw odb codes, but I remember that it two battery disconnect cycles, and two odb code clearing cycles, to regain normal function. I forget id any odb codes were set. Here are the conditions: Daytime morning, about 11am, ambient temperature about 65 degrees. Car parked in driveway. I previously (about 30 minutes before) moved car from street to driveway. Date listed below is approximate. I will update when I check exif data on pix.

- San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA

problem #1

Jun 122018

Crosstrek 4-cyl

  • 1,200 miles
Vehicle turned off while driving two times in traffic causing near collisions. Its been at dealer for more than a week. The dealer says they couldn't repair it so Subaru sent out engineers and determined their was a fault with no repair protocol available. They say they will have to keep my car until they can repair it. They mentioned another car in the phoenix area having the same problem. They stated that they might have to develop new software to fix the problem. I filed a complaint with Subaru of America case #[xxx] on June 18, 2018. I ask them to return the vehicle that I have had for less than 2 months, but there is no resolution from them at this time. The vehicle has already had air conditioner issues that the dealer service team say are resolved, but as yet we have not driven the car since the repair, to see if the ac is actually working properly. This vehicle was purchased for its outstanding safety rating in the transportation of our elderly mother to and from medical appointments and any collision could be a life threatening event for her, in her current condition. We are deeply concerned for the safety of others and very disappointed in Subaru for continuing to sell this vehicle to the public with the knowledge it has a defect that can turn it off at any time causing a collision. Please contact me with any questions. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

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