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2015 Subaru Xv Crosstrek
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
98 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 26, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Complaint reports have faded. Early issues appear resolved or aged out.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#144 of 542Among the 2015 models with a matured record, the 2015 Subaru Xv Crosstrek ranks #144, scoring higher than 71% of them. See the 2015 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek SUV AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 15%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2015 Subaru Xv Crosstrek, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Engine (18) · Brakes (9) · Speed control (7) · Body & structure (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint. Treat them as a rough guide.
Transmission & drivetrain
24%24 complaints · typically near 100k mi · 1 in the last 2 years
“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…”
Electrical system
19%19 complaints · typically near 38k mi · 1 in the last 2 years
“During a near collision, attempted to warn other driver of the situation, but the Crosstrek horn did not work. This appears to be a common problem with these vehicles,…”
Engine
18%18 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“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 ha…”
Brakes
9%9 complaints
“caliper seized and caught on fire, front passenger side. Was told by mechanic second Crosstreck this week with same problem.”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 2 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 98 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 6 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Forward Collision Avoidance · 15V366000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Risk: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Subaru before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2015 Subaru Xv Crosstrek. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report transmission & drivetrain problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 100k miles). Has this car shown any transmission & drivetrain symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report electrical system problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 38k miles). Has this car shown any electrical system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2015 Subaru XV CROSSTREK beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2015? See how every Xv Crosstrek model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2015 Subaru Xv Crosstrek against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.