2016 Subaru Crosstrek: won't start

Filed Mar 9, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · MT

My car has stopped working while driving 70 mph on the interstate in so separate occasions. Both times it has been driving fine, with fuel in the tank, and all of the sudden it shuts off and completely loses power. All of the warning lights on the dash light up and the only thing to do is to coast to the shoulder of the highway. Couldn’t start the car back up (cranked, no start). Battery is fine. Fuel level is fine. First time it happened it had to be towed. Towed to mechanic who ran diagnostics on it the next day but nothing threw a code. It started fine the next day. I’ve had certified Subaru mechanics tear this thing apart trying to figure out what causes the issue but they can’t find anything wrong. I’m scared this is going to happen again and will put me in a dangerous situation in the middle of a highway or on the side of the road. This is definitely an issue putting myself and others at risk. It seems similar to other issues Subaru crosstreks have had in close model years to mine (20 where recalls have been issued for fuel pump malfunctions etc. Please look into this, this could cause a terrible wreck and needs to be resolved ASAP.

Filed Jul 23, 2021 · Electrical · WA

I had to have it be jump-started first on 7/20/21 and again on 7/23/21, the battery had been replaced with a new manufacturer's battery in Feb. of 2020. When the battery didn't start on 7/23 there were several warning lights concerning all the electrical safety systems. AAA came again this time jumped it and it started and I had it towed to the dealership. Since it was towed to the dealership I have learned that this is a documented problem with this car and that there was even a service bulletin put out by Subaru about how to deal with the problem, their fix is to replace the battery but that is fixing the symptom but not a cure. I was told that I should report this to your agency.

Filed Dec 9, 2019 · Fuel system · 73,441 miles · UT

My vehicle (2016 subaru crosstrek, 74k miles) became completely unresponsive during highway speeds twice in one week. I was traveling approx. 80mph on the interstate when the gas pedal stopped working. My vehicle started to decelerate for a few seconds before completely shutting down and I was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle restarted almost immediately and I was able to drive the rest of the way home without incident. I called a subaru dealership immediately the next morning and brought it in that same day where they found nothing wrong: no codes, no bulletins, or recalls, and they said it was probably just driver error. The very next day it happened again, the exact same scenario: driving 80mph when my gas pedal became unresponsive, the vehicle decelerated then died where I had to coast off the road. This time the car wouldn't start for about 30min despite multiple attempts (it would crank but not turn over). Then after sitting for about 30 min, it started just fine and I drove to my destination without any trouble. I called and made an appointment with a subaru dealer (a different one) first thing, took it in, and was told once again that nothing was wrong. After doing some internet research I found a forum of crosstrek owners that have the exact same issue, so I know it isn't "driver error" and I know that it isn't isolated. I don't know what part or system would be failing in this particular incident. Here is the link to the forum https://www.subaruxvforum.com/threads/shutting-down-while-driving.106065/ I also called subaru of america to try and get them involved, although they really didn't do anything and now I have 2 separate case numbers with them. The first breakdown occured 11/14/2019 and the second incident occurred 11/16/2019.

Filed Dec 18, 2018 · Engine · 5,700 miles · NY · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2016 subaru crosstrek. The contact stated that vehicle would not start. Colonial subaru (761 e chester st, kingston, ny 12401, (845) 339-3330) advised the contact to go to an independent mechanic to have oil added to the vehicle. The contact called the manufacturer who sent a letter to schedule a service appointment with the dealer. The dealer changed the oil and a 1,000 mile test was to be performed to check the status. After the vehicle had been parked for an extended period of time, it failed to start while it was raining. The vehicle was towed to another unknown dealer for a second opinion and the batter was replaced. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled and smoke and flames appeared. A police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed destroyed by the insurance company. The vehicle was towed. There were no injuries. The failure mileage was 5,700.

Filed May 31, 2018 · Acceleration · 30,000 miles · OH

April 2018 while driving on the highway the gas pedal suddenly stopped functioning but the engine was still running at idle. Restarting the car fixed the issue but it happened again 10min later. Both instances almost caused an accident. After the second time it happened the car would not start and it had to be towed to a dealership. The dealership said that nothing was wrong with it and returned the vehicle, now one month later the accelerator stopped functioning while driving on the highway almost causing an accident. The vehicle would not start and had to be towed to dealer.

Filed Mar 19, 2017 · Electrical · VA

Twice now after letting my car sit parked in my driveway for 3 to 5 days my battery has drained to the point that my car will not start and I would need to jump start my car each time. Both times I jump started my car I would verify that I didn't make an honest mistake of leaving anything on like a dome light etc. And I have not left anything on. It is worth noting that I have the limited version with keyless entry/start the whole eyesight system with an added oem remote start system installed when I bought the car from the dealer.