2014 Subaru CROSSTREK
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2014 Subaru CROSSTREK has 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 82. The most common issue is transmission problems (32% of all complaints), specifically: automobile was taken to have an oil change and when car was attempted to drive out there was a slippage of the drive train. i stopped and had the car carried to a mechanic that i trusted. i explained to him what i had observed at the changing of the oil and as a precaution he drained both the oil . There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
22
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.3x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TRANSMISSION
7 complaints- • AUTOMOBILE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE AND WHEN CAR WAS ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE OUT THERE WAS A SLIPPAGE OF THE DRIVE TRAIN. I STOPPED AND HAD THE CAR CARRIED TO A MECHANIC THAT I TRUSTED. I EXPLAINED TO HIM WHAT I HAD OBSERVED AT THE CHANGING OF THE OIL AND AS A PRECAUTION HE DRAINED BOTH THE OIL
- • NORMAL ACCELERRATION VEHICLE MAKES WINDING NOISE. DOES NOT ACCELERATE, ENGINE RPM INCREASES. PROLONG TIME TO ACCELERATE TO NORMAL SPEED AT THE TIME.(I.E. 50MPH).
- • MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BY ME AT 24K MILES I HAVE DRIVEN NOW TO 70K MILES AND NEED 2 NEW FRONT AXELS. I HAVE BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 3 HOURS AND THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 DIFFERENT REPLACEMENT AXELS ON THE LEFT SIDE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS CAR HAS GIVEN ME ISSUES BUT BEING LESS T
“AUTOMOBILE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE AND WHEN CAR WAS ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE OUT THERE WAS A SLIPPAGE OF THE DRIVE TRAIN. I STOPPED AND HAD THE CAR CARRIED TO A MECHANIC THAT I TRUSTED. I EXPLAINED TO HIM WHAT I HAD OBSERVED AT THE CHANGING OF THE OIL AND AS A PRECAUTION HE DRAINED BOTH THE OIL ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2014 Subaru CROSSTREK
Based on 19 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 60K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
TRANSMISSION
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (1)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. 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.
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Very low theft risk
Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2014 Subaru CROSSTREK
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Subaru CROSSTREK Service Intervals
Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2014 CROSSTREK, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 22 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: AUTOMOBILE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE AND WHEN CAR WAS ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE OUT THERE WAS A SLIPPAGE OF THE DRIVE TRAIN. I STOPPED AND HAD THE CAR CARRIED TO A MECHANIC THAT I TRUSTED. I EXPLAINED TO HIM WHAT I HAD OBSERVED AT THE CHANGING OF THE OIL AND AS A PRECAUTION HE DRAINED BOTH THE OIL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: NORMAL ACCELERRATION VEHICLE MAKES WINDING NOISE. DOES NOT ACCELERATE, ENGINE RPM INCREASES. PROLONG TIME TO ACCELERATE TO NORMAL SPEED AT THE TIME.(I.E. 50MPH).
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: I WAS DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE, ALL MY DASH LIGHTS WENT ON, & THE CAR STARTED BUCKING LIKE AN UNBROKEN HORSE AT 70 MILES AN HOUR WHILE I WAS SURROUNDED BY TRACTOR TRAILERS. I MANAGED TO GET HOME BY SWITCHING THE CAR TO MANUAL SHIFTING. TAKING THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALER, I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE D
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: ON NOVEMBER 11TH, 2017 AT 12:30AM A POLICE OFFICER WOKE US UP TO INFORM US THAT OUR HAD SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET, TURNED OFF, AND NOT MOVING. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 HOURS BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT R
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Subaru CROSSTREK — Year Comparison
How does 2014 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 22
- Recalls
- 1
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 5
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 82
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2014 Subaru CROSSTREK