2019 Subaru Crosstrek: hesitation when accelerating

6 of the 288 complaints about the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek describe hesitation when accelerating.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 45 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Hesitation when accelerating by model year

2024
1
2021
3
2020
2
2019
6
2018
6
2016
3

What owners say

Filed Jul 5, 2026 · Acceleration · WY

Since purchasing my 2019 Subaru Crosstrek brand new in 2019, the vehicle has suffered from a chronic and dangerous lack of acceleration. It consistently fails to gain speed as expected. This issue becomes life-threatening when attempting to merge onto highways. The vehicle is incapable of accelerating quickly enough to match the speed of oncoming traffic. This severe hesitation and lack of power has nearly caused multiple accidents, creating an extreme safety hazard for my wife and me. I have repeatedly reported this issue to the Subaru dealership service department, but they have failed to diagnose or resolve the problem. Because of this unresolved defect, we no longer feel safe driving this vehicle for long-distance trips or highway travel and are forced to use another car. The vehicle is fundamentally unsafe to drive in normal highway traffic conditions.

Filed Jul 19, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Car hesitates on acceleration persists after recall (replacement of ignition coils). Condition persists since purchase (nov, 2019). Numerous repair orders did not correct problem.

Filed Jun 17, 2021 · Engine · CA

Car hesitates on acceleration.

Filed Aug 27, 2020 · Fuel system · 100 miles · IL

Car has hesitated and stumbled since new. Very low power. Taken to two different dealerships to correct problem. Recall for ignition down. Problem persists

Filed Jan 21, 2020 · Engine · 100 miles · VA

My 2019 subaru crosstrek has a substantial power/accentuation hesitation when starting out. Car is not responsive to increased acceleration pressure for a couple seconds. Also, when traveling at lower speeds 0-50mph and you have to adjust you speed gradually by letting up and gently pushing on the gas, the car can shutter/slight buck. This is a constant/consistent issue.

Filed Jul 23, 2019 · Fuel system · 10,000 miles · FL

Car hesitates and stalls out at slow speeds and has stalled while pulling out into a intersection. We have taken it to the dealer and at first we're told nothing was wrong then they kept the car for seven days and found an issue with a sensor once replaced the car was running okay for a week then the hesitation and sluggishness is back and we are again told no codes are showing that the car is fine. I was driving and it almost stalled in an intersection again and was bogging out for a full minute before regaining power. The car is back at the dealer again!