What 107 owners told NHTSA about the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness

While driving at highway speeds in the passing lane, the vehicle’s adaptive cruise control with EyeSight malfunctioned. The system suddenly emitted a forward‑collision warning beep even though the lane ahead was completely clear. Immediately after the warning, the brakes engaged forcefully on their own, causing abrupt and unexpected deceleration while overtaking another vehicle. This created a significant safety risk to us and surrounding drivers, as the vehicle slowed rapidly in active traffic without any legitimate hazard. In addition to the sudden braking events, there have been multiple instances where, while adaptive cruise control was active, attempts to decelerate using the steering‑wheel control button either did not respond or behaved unpredictably. On one occasion, pressing the deceleration button caused the vehicle to accelerate instead. These inconsistent control responses further increased the risk of losing safe control of the vehicle. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The problem has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, and the vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. The only symptom prior to each event was the forward‑collision warning beep immediately before the brakes activated.The underlying cause remains UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11749797

The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while driving with the cruise control activated and attempting to overtake another vehicle, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, after overtaking the other vehicle, the vehicle independently started braking and slowed down to the preset cruising speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.

NHTSA ODI 11598026

I was driving with cruise control enabled right around 40mph. All of the sudden, while I was moving, my speedometer dropped to 0 and all of my dashboard lights turned on. I pulled over to the side of the road and tried to put the car in park to figure out what was going on. I was not able to shift the car into park, only remain in D or shift to N. I forced the car shutoff while in D with the press-button ignition, then turned the car back on. I was then able to shift the car into P. However, all of my dashboard lights were still on. I will attach an image to this description as I was able to take a photo of all the dashboard lights. After putting the car in park, I then shifted it back into D. However, my steering wheel was very stiff. Eventually, it loosened up back to normal. I then turned around and headed home for about a 2.5 hour drive. For the first 1.5 hours of the drive, most of the dashboard lights remained on and I could not initiate cruise control at all. After stopping for gas and turning the car back on, I was then able to drive as normal (putting the car in cruise control) and most of the dashboard lights also turned off. This was a Sunday evening. I then brought my car to the Subaru dealer in which I bought the Crosstrek from the very next morning. I told them exactly what happened. They said this was highly unusual and this wasn't something they've dealt with before, especially on a brand new car (I purchased this vehicle with 0 miles just 6 months prior). After sitting in the shop for 30+ days, the dealer eventually replaced the VDC Module and gave the car back to me. I did submit this issue to Subaru of America, but they denied this to be a Lemon case. They would not tell me why, even though a car sitting in a shop for 30+ days achieves Lemon status in the State of Utah. Since the dealer replaced the VDC Module and returning the car to me, I have not yet had another issue, but am nervous this could occur again.

NHTSA ODI 11589243

The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration almost causing the driver to lose control of the steering wheel before stopping the vehicle. The vehicle was later towed back to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,000.

NHTSA ODI 11570865

When slowing to park, with foot on brake, vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly surged forward going up an incline, side-swiping the parked car to the right of the driver, without any action taken by the driver. Safety at risk from uncontrolled car during sudden unexpected acceleration. Reported hours after event, police report filed, insurance claim filed. Dashboard during the event light up with multiple indicators. No prior unusual symptoms.

NHTSA ODI 11560259