What 280 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness

In the middle of driving car stuttered, engine light went on, and car stalled. Unable to restart, Engine cranks but would not turn over. Had car towed for repair. Diagnostic shows engine coil short causing blown fuse. Subaru has an active recall for this identical issue for my same year and model 2019 Crosstrek but the recall does not cover my VIN.

NHTSA ODI 11737121

Dashboard warning lights required an inspection by a qualified mechanic and made the assessment of a faulty ECM relatively easily by noting the excessive heat emitting from the ECU.

NHTSA ODI 11685729

. I expect a full recall on this model years and relative MY vehicles with this specific engine due to its obsolescence in the subsequent years. I feel as if I was sold a lemon and defective engine that will eventually become a death trap Dear Bloomington Subaru Service Manager, I want to reiterate that this is not an isolated incident limited to your facility. Over the course of this vehicle’s history, I have visited more than five different Subaru dealerships — including White Bear Luther Subaru, Miller Hill Subaru, Walser Subaru, Morrie’s Minnetonka Subaru, and your own Luther Bloomington Subaru — for recurring ECM and engine-related concerns. Despite multiple ignition coil replacements, repeated ECM flashes/reprogramming, and assurances that the most recent updates would permanently resolve the issue, my Crosstrek continues to suffer from clunking, rattling, difficulties accelerating, rough idling, and even complete stalling when idling or in hot temperatures. At my most recent visit to Bloomington Subaru, the ECM was not loaded with the current software, ECM C1424 and C1422 and Diag Trouble Code P0011 code. There are 5-7 Subaru bulletins about ECM and these codes. I had this b4 2yrs ago yet the dealership won’t assist with repairs or costs associated with this defective oil control valve part as well as the defective design in the ECM / ECU and this specific engine in the 2019 Crosstrek, of which is no longer produced or manufactured. The ECM or Oil control valve has since been “replaced” and swapped with other components in future generations of Subarus this is defective & mechanically related, not from wear and tear or personal useThere is a recall where the camshaft can break and the PCV too leading to complete catastrophic engine failure, which is a safety issue and expired, but despite 5 ECM flashes, 3/4 sets of ignition coils my vehicle still struggles with the same issues today, costing me $750 and months with my car in the shop, recall this engine

NHTSA ODI 11683546

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. While the contact was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while the engine was still off, the gear shifter was shifted into reverse(R) and the vehicle accelerated backwards. The contact slammed on the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from crashing into another parked vehicle. The contact pressed the ignition button with her foot on the brake pedal to start the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled to service the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

NHTSA ODI 11666127

Spark plug coil leaked oil into the spark plug

NHTSA ODI 11638943

Per NHTSA Product Campaign Bulletin WRE-21, all ignition coils on my 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Premium were replace on August 9th, 2021. On November 26th 2024, the same vehicle experienced a total loss of motive power on a 50 mph, 2-lane road, resulting in emergency action to move the car off of the right-of-way. All occupants of the car were not injured. After the vehicle was towed to a Subaru Dealership, the service notes stated “DIAGNOSED NO START SCANNED AND FOUND P1604 STARTABILITY MALFUNCTION, AND P0304 CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE, CHECKED FUEL PRESSURE AND FOUND IT WAS WITHIN SPEC, FOUND THE IGNITION COIL FUSE WAS BLOWN AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND THE CYL 4 COIL PACK SHORTED INTERNALLY AND THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CIRCUITS CONNECTED BLOWING THE FUSE, COIL PACK AND FUSE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.” The wording of the technician’s notes mirror the wording of the WRE-21. The dealership offered a one-time free “goodwill replacement” of the part in question, but only for 1 cylinder. I believe further corrective action needs to be taken by the NHTSA to prevent total loss of motive power in affected Subaru crosstreks.

NHTSA ODI 11627701

I sent my Crosstrek to the dealer for the WRE21 recall. After retrieving the car from the dealership with the recall fix in place, the engine stalled while I was at a red light and I could see smoke coming out from the hood. This occurred after driving less than 4 miles from the dealership. I opened the hood and could see that one of the coil packs on the driver side cylinder bank was on fire. I called 911 and the Fire Department had to extinguish the fire. The fire has rendered the vehicle inoperable and smoke damaged.

NHTSA ODI 11624885

Not sure yet what component or system failed as the car is being towed to dealer. On 12/23/24, The engine made a grinding noise and then the car completelyshut down and froze on the Highway. No Power, All the Dashboard lights flashed on - and I could not put the car in Park. Since I was on the highway - my safety and safety of drivers behind me were at great risk until a help truck was able to block the road. Car will be inspected by Subaru on 12/26. Subaru was closed 12/23 PM, 12/24, 12/25 There were NO warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of a problem prior to the failure.

NHTSA ODI 11561780

Car was at a stop light, went to accelerate and car would not accelerate- all the lights came on. I had to put it in park and turn it off and back on, then it accelerated and there were no other issues.

NHTSA ODI 11547198

When driving, the car has intermittent random power failures. When you start to accelerate, it does not go even when applying full petal to the floor or letting go and pushing the petal again then it goes rapidly to speed. It is failing to accelerate more frequently and when I brought it in to the dealership twice, they said if I can tell them exactly how and when it is failing they would have a chance at fixing the problem. The problem they say is that it is random. Because of the problem with this we are seriously looking at buying another car. We no longer pull out into traffic because we do not know if it will fail. There are no warning lights on the dash or other indications.

NHTSA ODI 11505627

2019 SUBARU CROSSTEK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO VEHICLE BEING FLOODED WITH WATER AFTER SAFETY RECALLS BEING REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER STATED THED VEHICLE WAS FLOODED DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONER BEING CLOGGED. ALSO, AFTER HAVING THE ENGINE RECALL PERFORMED THE TECHNICIAN FAILED TO RECALIBRATE THE COMPUTER AND/OR VALVES PROPERLY. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FAIL ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING. DUE TO THE DANGEROUS CONDITION, THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING A RIDE OFF OF THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11466917

Battery continually does not hold charge over any time longer than a few days parked. Even after long drive from Wisconsin to Ohio, car sitting for 6 days in cool weather (never under 40 degrees) caused dead battery. Battery has been replaced by Subaru dealer 3 times previously, each time dealer said they could not detect a problem. In winter, battery is dead each night, even with normal daily use each day.

NHTSA ODI 11438312

My daughter was in process of pulling her car into the garage when it experienced sudden acceleration and crashed into the garage. My daughter was unable to stop the car as the brake system failed during the incident. She is now too terrified to drive the car. Subaru claims that the car is and has been operating as intended. The Subaru Eyesight, Anti-Lock Braking, Vehicle Dynamic Control systems all failed during the sudden acceleration event. It's fortunate that this incident did not happen at a stoplight (intersection).

NHTSA ODI 11430534

CAR HESITATES ON ACCELERATION PERSISTS AFTER RECALL (REPLACEMENT OF IGNITION COILS). CONDITION PERSISTS SINCE PURCHASE (NOV, 2019). NUMEROUS REPAIR ORDERS DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11425427

CAR HESITATES ON ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI 11421313

I received 2 recall notices in the mail from Subaru 0n 6/16/2021. I immediately contacted the selling dealer, Dunning Subaru, Ann Arbor Michigan and was advised that they could not even give me a date in July when the vehicle could be repaired, but they would add my name to a waiting list for appointments. I contacted Subaru customer service for assistance and was told I would have to find a local retailer on my own and that though they said the vehicle was not safe to drive, they refused to offer and substitute transportation until the vehicle could be repaired. I contacted LaFontaine Subaru, Commerce Twsp, Mi and was advised that they have been unable to order sufficient parts for this recall and while the earliest available appointment was for July 7th (3 weeks from today) they could not guarantee that they would have the parts on that date to actually perform the repair. In short, Subaru produced a defective vehicle; advised me it was not safe to drive the vehicle; is unable to repair the vehicle in a reasonable timeframe; and refuses to provide substitute transportation. What is the good of a recall program if repairs can't be made and the customer is stuck without transportation; and the company response is essentially - "it's the customers problem to deal with - have a nice day!"

NHTSA ODI 11421173

MY SUBARU CROSSTREK IS A 2019 - LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD AND STILL COVERED BY WARRANTY. IT HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY CARED FOR AND ONLY DEALER SERVICED. 3 DAYS AGO THE CAR'S ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IT. THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER TO THE BRAKES AND STEERING. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER SERVICE I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN GOING TO, AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. IN HIS OWN WORDS, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID "I WOULD NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE LETTING MY FAMILY OR LOVED ONES USING YOUR CAR" - BUT HE OFFERED NO HELP. HE SAID THAT THEY CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM, THEY CAN'T FIND AN ERROR CODE, AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE GIVEN THAT A SERIOUS, DANGEROUS, HAZARDS, AND POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING ENGINE FAILURE OCCURED WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE IN A BRAND NEW CAR. THE FACT THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER HIMSELF SAID THAT IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BUT COULDN'T OFFER ANY EXPLANATION OF WHY THE INFORMATION OCCURED IS VERY FRUSTRATING. THE DEALERSHIP IS GIVING ME A DANGEROUS CAR BACK WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO FIX IT OR WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. IF THE ENGINE DIES ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON A CROWDED STREET, IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH MYSELF AND OTHERS ARE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.

NHTSA ODI 11406867

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BILL RAPP SUBARU (3446 BURNET AVE, SYRACUSE, NY 13206, (315) 437-2501) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,680.

NHTSA ODI 11406716

I AM DRIVING DOWN HWY17 DOWNHILL WHEN TRAFFIC SLOWED AND AS I SLOWED THE ENGINE AND CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN , NO POWER , VERY LITTLE STEERING CONTROL.I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF WITHOUT INCIDENT. I DO FEAR THE REOCCURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM AND I DO FEEL THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HOPE THE COMPLAINT IS CONSIDERED AND ADDRESED

NHTSA ODI 11372581

ALL ELEXTRICAL WAS DIABELED, NO S DRIVE, NO RESPONSE TO KEY FOB, COULD NOT TAKE CAR OUT OF PARK, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. CAR WAS WORKIG WHEN PARKED AT STORE, CAME OUT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND KEPT GIVING ME ERROR MESAGES. THE YBRID BATTER WAS GOOD AND I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO USE THE HYBRID MODE TO GET THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI 11365945

VEHICLE IN MOTION ,ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING , AND COLLIDED INTO A TREE LOCATED ON CURB OF SIDEWALK, NO INJURIES TO 2 OCCUPANTS WEARING SEATBELTS, MAJOR DAMAGE TO FRONT OF VEHICLE. NO EXPLANATION FOR VEHICLE MOVING UNEXPECTLY

NHTSA ODI 11343750

WHEN ACCELERATING RPM DISPLAY AT APPROXIMATELY 2-3 THOUSAND RPMS STARTS TO JOLT AND THE RPM NEEDLE BOUNCES UP AND DOWN AS THE ACCELERATION CONTINUES!! THE VEHICLE DOES THIS WHEN GOING FROM A FULL STOPPED POSITION TO ACCELERATING.

NHTSA ODI 11339853

I PURCHASED MY 2019 SUBARU CROSSTREK HYBRID ON 5/31/19. I HAD THE FIRST INCIDENCE OF THE ?ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON? IN OCTOBER 9, 2019. AS I WAS BETWEEN TOWNS IN RURAL NORTHERN NY, AND 75 MILES FROM HOME THIS WAS SCARY. I PULLED OVER, CHECKED THE OIL AND FLUIDS (ALL WERE OK), AND CALLED THE DEALER. THEY SAID I COULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR AND TO BRING IT IN THE NEXT DAY WHEN I GOT HOME. SO I CONTINUED TO MY NEXT DESTINATION AND SHUT OFF THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS DURING OUR HAIRCUTS. THEN WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR THE PROBLEM RECURRED. I DROVE PART WAY HOME THAT WAY AND WE STOPPED AT A RESTAURANT FOR SUPPER. WHEN WE RESUMED OUR TRIP AFTER SUPPER THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE GONE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY, OCTOBER 10. THEY COULD FIND NO REASON FOR THE PROBLEM AND IT WAS NOT THEN OCCURRING. SUBSEQUENTLY THE PROBLEM RECURRED ON 12/20, 12/21, AND 12/22/19. AND ON 1/16/20 THE HEADLIGHTS WOULDN?T WORK! ON FEBRUARY 12, 2020 THE PROBLEM RECURRED ON A TRIP OUT OF TOWN. I HAVE VISITED THE DEALER FOUR MORE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM ? ON 11/19/19, 12 /12/19, 12/20/19, AND 1/2/20. DURING THAT TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON 2019 CROSSTREK HYBRIDS. HE ASKED ME, AND I AGREED, TO BE ONE OF A DOZEN CROSSTREK OWNERS IN THE US TO HAVE MONITORING HARDWARE INSTALLED TO READ THE ELECTRONIC CODES WHICH RESULTED WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. ON FEBRUARY 12, 2020 THE PROBLEM RECURRED. I CONTACTED THE DEALER TO LET THEM KNOW. ON MAY 7TH 2020, THE PROBLEM RECURRED YET AGAIN. BARSTOW?S SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED ME TO ARRANGE FOR ANOTHER APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR 6/8/20. THE PURPOSE WAS TO UPDATE THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM WITH A ?FIX? DERIVED FROM THE STUDY IN WHICH I PARTICIPATED IN DEC 2019-JANUARY 2020. THE NEXT DAY, JUNE 9, I STARTED THE CAR AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED! *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328067

MY SUBARU CROSSTREK PLUG IN HYBRID HAS REPEATEDLY (8 TIMES NOW) HAD THE CHECK ENGINE SAFETY LIGHT COME ON WHICH DISABLES SOME OF THE SAFETY FEATURES. SUBARU HAS REPLACED A NUMBER OF PARTS INCLUDING THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR, THE CHARCOAL CANNISTER ASSEMBLY, THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPUTER AND HARNESS. RECENTLY THEY REPLACED THE ECM CONTROL AND NOW THE CAR HAS AGAIN FAILED AND IS SITING IN MY GARAGE WAITING FOR SUBARU TO GET BACK TO ME. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

NHTSA ODI 11322946

WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP AN EXIT RAMP WITH A SIGNAL, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, AND THE VEHICLE BECAME IMMOBILE. ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THERE WAS A MESSAGE INSTRUCTING TO MOVE THE GEAR TO 'PARK'. I HAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART BEFORE THE CAR COULD MOVE. IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI 11316772