3.9

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,746 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.

2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek electrical problems

electrical problem

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2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek Owner Comments

problem #13

Aug 302022

XV Crosstrek

  • miles

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

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.

- Great Cacapon Wv, WV, USA

problem #12

Sep 142021

XV Crosstrek

  • miles
My vehicle had the recall for Brake Lamp Light Switch in Feb 2019. I went to the Carr Subaru dealership in Portland Oregon to get my recall fixed. They assured me that the work was done and the Brake Lamp Light Switch was replaced. Fast forward to last week when my car suddenly stopped working. The engine would not start and even while driving the brake lights were not showing. I almost had a collision because the car behind me did not see my brake lights when I was braking!! I now live in Memphis TN and we took the car to the Subaru dealership in town on Hacks Cross Road. They told us that even though my car records show that my Brake Lamp Light Switch was fixed in 2019 it was never actually changed. I was appalled to hear this, shocked that I could have been seriously hurt due to this negligence.

- Collierville, TN, USA

problem #11

Jul 252021

XV Crosstrek

  • miles
After parking car, it takes several attempts of putting the transmission in park to get the key out of the ignition. Going back and forth between reverse and park. This happens at least 70% of the time. Not a safety problem, but can-€™t secure the vehicle if I can-€™t get the key out. Haven-€™t had the dealer look at it because the car is no longer under warranty, and this seems to be a common problem with Subarus. No warning or symptoms that it-€™s going to happen.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #10

Oct 032020

XV Crosstrek

  • 88,598 miles

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

When I go to park and turn off the key it locks half way and won't come out. Have to reverse and pull forward sometimes several times before it will turn completely off. Subaru has a technical service date: 03/15/18 16-112-18R revised bulletin about an issue with the "shift selecter mechanism." Subaru is aware of the persistent problem, but has not issued a recall.

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #9

Sep 142020

XV Crosstrek

  • 20,000 miles
Key kept getting stuck in the ignition when the car was parked (and the shifter in the park position). There is a service bulletin from Subaru for five of their models. Apparently the cause is contamination of the park-range switch internal components. They did the repair work and it works fine now. I sense a lot of people are having this problem.

- Western Springs, IL, USA

problem #8

Dec 022019

XV Crosstrek

  • 63,802 miles
Reverse lights and rear view camera will not turn off. They stay on in drive, neutral, park and the manual mode. I've been to the Subaru dealer and another mechanic and they cannot resolve without major labor hours to look into the issue. This is extremely dangerous. Cars behind me will believe I am reversing into them since the lights are always on (they may decide to take unnecessary evasive action). This is also blinds drivers who are behind me as the bright reverse lights are always on. Something needs to be done about this. This is not safe. This happens in motion, in park, etc. I've done no modifications to this car and this car has never been jump started. I would be happy to upload videos of this incident occurring as I have many. With the reverse camera staying on the car's infotainment center is rendered useless. This is also extremely distracting while driving as you have to deal with a constant video feed of what's behind you.

- Downingtown, PA, USA

problem #7

Oct 092019

XV Crosstrek

  • 31,000 miles

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

Various warning symbols on the dash will illuminate for no reason when the car is operating and is in motion on either highway or city street. Different symbols at different times. Included are low tire pressure, dynamic control, hill start assist, ABS. These warning lights will just come on either by themselves or several at a time. The accelerator pedal will also become non-responsive when attempting to accelerate while in motion in traffic on a city street. The car will actually start to decelerate. Pumping the accelerator pedal has brought responsiveness back. Brake lights will also come on on their own when the car is parked, engine off, not operating and will completely drain the battery. Cannot even unlock the car with the key fob. This has happened several times over the past month.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #6

Sep 182019

XV Crosstrek

  • 31,000 miles
While vehicle was at a complete stop, with hand brake applied and shifter in park position the key does not always release. Happens sporadically and more so with the wheels turned. Unable to park up heel or pull the key out.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #5

Feb 042019

XV Crosstrek

  • 80,000 miles
2015 Subaru Xv crosstrek limited with auto climate controls after sitting for 3 days I started vehicle and had no HVAC control, vehicles has 80,000 miles. I disconnected the battery after driving 80 miles hoping the computer glitched and would reset the controls, still no control of HVAC system

- Pooler, GA, USA

problem #4

May 262018

XV Crosstrek

  • 56,000 miles
The key get remain stuck in the ignition after driving. For a significant amount about of time. Based feedback from the dealer this is being reported in many Subaru vehicles. The problem is suggested to be an electrical problem and nothing specific with the key.

- San Marcos, CA, USA

problem #3

Feb 102017

XV Crosstrek

  • miles

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

Ever since the first battery died after a cold winter, the car has been draining the battery on it's own manner. Currently, once awhile, I will notice it drains much more overnight than normal, and if left unused 3-5 days, the car battery will be completely drained. Communicated with the dealer and Subaru, but consider the car has no issue and determined that it was my fault that I must be not driving enough. The first battery lasted from 9/2015 to 2/2017, been driving under same method, behavior, and condition before the death of first battery and after. However, even since the change of the battery, the issue exist and never fixed by dealer. A good note is that a towing company person had a same car with same issue, it was fixed by replacing the battery control board or such. However, Subaru and dealer didn't think that may be the possible cause. In this manner of the car, I can not trust the car to keep driving safely, or maybe it will not turn back on after a trip into mountain road and stopped for a break time. Battery is the key part to keep the engine firing and running. If it died in the middle of driving, this issue may cause death. The car had died in varies location. Such as home driveway, home garage, airport parking lot, and public locations. Yesterday, the car just died again inside the house garage. If needed, I can be reach any time with my phone. I just want my car issue being taken care of, and Subaru to see the issue before anyone get killed.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #2

Sep 222017

XV Crosstrek

  • 37,801 miles
At 37,801 miles, the brake switch component failed on my 2015 Subaru Xv crosstrek. The hill assist, ABS, and traction control lights all came on. When I parked the vehicle and shut it off, it refused to come out of park, leaving the vehicle stranded. This appears to be a known issue with this part, however, there is no recall at this time.

- Tehachapi, CA, USA

problem #1

Dec 092015

XV Crosstrek

  • 4,500 miles
Battery failure at 4000 miles

- Grants Pass, OR, USA

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