The 2017 Subaru XV Crosstrek is Subarus’s brand new entrant to the compact SUV segment, with just one year under its belt as far are sales go. With base starting prices of $21,999, the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek will go against other compacts like the Buick Encore, the Chevrolet Trax, and the Nissan Juke.
There have been a total of 1 recall and 93 user complaints placing it toward the dependable end of the competition. Another positive is the perfect 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA. It also does well to score a decent 80/100 reliability rating from J.D. Power which is bettered by the likes of the Volkswagen Tiguan and Hyundai Tucson.
2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek User Complaints and Problems
Some of the common problems faced by the Subaru XV Crosstrek owners are rattling noise, excessive oil consumption, engine misfires, and some rust or corrosion. That said, majority of these issues are minor and can be easily fixed DIY or through a local mechanic cheaply.
Mechanical Complaints
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Transmission- the CVT unit on the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek does showcase a few niggle with increased mileage. Lurching, whining sounds, internal valve issues, and loss of acceleration are some of the transmission complaints raised by owners. Although official reports on CVT replacements are rare, a few cases of transmission overhauls have been reported by the NHTSA and they do turn out expensive. Note that the CVT issues are noticed only on vehicles with mileages over 100,000 miles and are not inherent issues with the product.
Electric System complaints
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AC compressor failure- The AC compressor on the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek is known for premature failure. The magnetic clutch, which engages the compressor to engine drive intermittently de-couples resulting in ineffective cooling. Replacement of the compressor is the only known remedy and the reported failure mileages are as low as 10,000 miles.
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Brake light issue- Moisture or other external contaminants can cause the brake light switch on the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek to remain illuminated despite the brake pedal not being depressed. This also causes a no-start condition in vehicles equipped with keyless ignition and also prevents the shifter from sliding out of ‘Park’. Although this issue was thought to be with the light housing it was later traced to the switch, which later received a recall (ID-19V149000) for replacement.
Structural complaints
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Steering Complaints- Intermittent loss of steering assist is an issue that initial batches of the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek had. The unit is said to function normally once the vehicle is restarted. No warning lights are said to illuminate when this problem occurs. Reports suggest some dealers offering a replacement for the power steering module while for the rest, the issue could not be replicated a second time during diagnosis.
Safety Complaints
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Airbags- The occupant detection sensor on the passenger seat of the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek is known to malfunction. The airbag lights remain on even with an occupant in the seat, only going off intermittently. A faulty sensor has been traced to be the culprit, but the remedy is available only at the owner’s expense as the automaker does not provide a warranty or recall for the affected part.
2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Recalls
It's been almost 10 years of existence for the 2014 XV Crosstrek in the market and yet the Crosstrek has seen just one recall. This is a rather impressive feat in today's age with modern cars facing multiple recalls each year. Also, the only recall was for a brake light issue which can hardly be considered as a serious issue. Thus buying a used Subaru XV Crosstrek could also be a great option for budget buyers.
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
28 February 2019 |
19V149000 |
Brake lights may not illuminate |
Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park, the former of which could increase the risk of a rear-end crash. |
The dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began on April 15, 2019. |
Should you buy a used 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek?
The Subaru XV Crosstrek, essentially being a Jap, does come decently reliable no matter how you look at it. A few electrical niggles that have been pointed out in this article are not widespread while CVT issues are mostly seen on high-mileage cars. If you are looking for an affordable pint-sized SUV that is both robust and is the only one in its segment to get an AWD system as standard, a used 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek should be one of your primary options.
