Is the 2015 Subaru CROSSTREK reliable?

The 2015 Subaru CROSSTREK has 27 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2015 Subaru CROSSTREK?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (6 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (5 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2015 Subaru CROSSTREK?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

Is the 2015 Subaru CROSSTREK often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Subaru CROSSTREK: very-low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2015 Subaru CROSSTREK?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2015 Subaru CROSSTREK is approximately $1,257/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2015 Subaru CROSSTREK

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2015 Subaru CROSSTREK has 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 82. The most common issue is transmission problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: i have random but consistent problems with my 2015 subaru crosstrek in regards to the cvt, stalling and acceleration issues. i have complained to the dealership on many occasions. when coming to a stop and then accelerating again it feels as if the car is about to stall and in some situations i felt. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

6 complaints

22%

• I HAVE RANDOM BUT CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH MY 2015 SUBARU CROSSTREK IN REGARDS TO THE CVT, STALLING AND ACCELERATION ISSUES. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MANY OCCASIONS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THEN ACCELERATING AGAIN IT FEELS AS IF THE CAR IS ABOUT TO STALL AND IN SOME SITUATIONS I FELT
• CAR STALLED AND DIED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY TRAVELING 75MPH. FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO A LOW GEAR AND THE RPM'S REVVED. CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER AND FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE TO FREEWAY SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED BUT ALL ELECTRICAL STILL FUNCTIONE
• MY CAR BECAME STUCK IN PARK DUE TO A DEFECTIVE BREAK LIGHT SWITCH. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO HAVE IT TOWED, BUT LUCKILY I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND LEARNED I HAD TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM BY STICKING A BOLT INTO A PORT ON THE GEAR SHIFT PANEL. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE PERS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I HAVE RANDOM BUT CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH MY 2015 SUBARU CROSSTREK IN REGARDS TO THE CVT, STALLING AND ACCELERATION ISSUES. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MANY OCCASIONS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THEN ACCELERATING AGAIN IT FEELS AS IF THE CAR IS ABOUT TO STALL AND IN SOME SITUATIONS I FELT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2015 Subaru CROSSTREK

Based on 25 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 52K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 52K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH28/02/2019

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 2015 Subaru CROSSTREK

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,257

Full coverage / month

$105

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-25%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk0.85x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1257

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru CROSSTREK Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2015 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

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 27 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: I HAVE RANDOM BUT CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH MY 2015 SUBARU CROSSTREK IN REGARDS TO THE CVT, STALLING AND ACCELERATION ISSUES. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MANY OCCASIONS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THEN ACCELERATING AGAIN IT FEELS AS IF THE CAR IS ABOUT TO STALL AND IN SOME SITUATIONS I FELT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY: I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF WHEN MY LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, WHICH MEANT I STILL HAD 70 MILES LEFT UNTIL EMPTY. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE LANE, MY ENGINE MADE A REVVING NOIS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: TRAVELING ON WESTBOUND I-74,8:30 PM 02/10/2018 APPROXIMATELY 63MPH,CAR ON CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER,FELT LIKE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING,ENGINE REVS TO 8000 RPM.LUCKILY,LITTLE TRAFFIC,PULLED CAR TO RIGHT SHOULDER.TURNED KEY OFF,CAR WOULD NOT RESTART.CALLED WRECKER AND TOWED CAR TO BUSAM SUBA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: THE BRAKE SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE STUCK IN PARK. SUBARU HAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKE SWITCH, BUT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL. RECALL 15V366000. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SUBARU AND THE DEFECT SHOULD BE COVERED.
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)