Subaru Crosstrek jerking problems

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · KS

*The engine experienced a failure of an internal valve spring, a component that controls the operation of the engine valves. The failure required significant engine repair, including engine teardown. The vehicle was diagnosed by Subaru of Olathe, and the failed component and vehicle should be available for inspection through the servicing dealership. Subaru of America reviewed the dealer's repair estimate and approved partial goodwill assistance toward the repair. *A valve spring failure is a serious engine malfunction that can result in engine performance issues, loss of power, engine stalling, or engine damage while driving. Such a failure has the potential to create a safety hazard if it occurs during vehicle operation, particularly at highway speeds or in traffic. Subaru has previously acknowledged valve spring failures in certain vehicles through Recall WTY-84 involving engine valve spring fractures that could lead to engine malfunction or stalling. *Yes. The failure was diagnosed and confirmed by Subaru of Olathe, which provided a repair estimate totaling several thousand dollars and recommended repair of the valve spring failure. Subaru of America relied on the dealer's diagnosis when approving goodwill assistance toward the repair costs. *The vehicle was inspected by Subaru of Olathe and the diagnosis was reviewed by the [XXX] Customer Advocacy team at Subaru of America as part of a goodwill assistance request. There is no indication that the vehicle was inspected by police, insurance representatives, or other third parties. *Vehicle started stalling at lights and jerking when in motion, seemed to have no power available and dangerous and appeared suddenly in Sept. of 2026. *Vehicle is a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek with approximately 72,000 miles. It was purchased new and maintained primarily through Subaru dealerships. The owner believes a valve spring is not a wear-and-tear item and should reasonably last the life of the engine. Costs over $9000 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Filed May 20, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CO

On [XXX] ~[XXX] PM, at highway speed on [XXX] eastbound near Frisco, CO (a mountain interstate), returning to Denver from Salt Lake City, my 2021 Subaru Crosstrek suddenly and without warning dropped into reduced-power limp mode and began lurching and shaking while the engine kept running. I lost the ability to accelerate or maintain speed. At the same moment the check engine light came on and multiple active safety systems automatically disabled: EyeSight, pre-collision braking, vehicle dynamics (traction/stability) control, and hill start assist. It took about two minutes to manage the lurching, power-limited vehicle across multiple lanes of traffic to reach the shoulder. My partner was in the vehicle. Had this happened on a bridge, a grade without a shoulder, a tunnel approach, or in heavier traffic, I believe a collision was a realistic outcome. The vehicle was towed to a Subaru dealer and diagnosed with a failed Thermo Control Valve. Sixteen trouble codes were stored, including P26A6, P0606, P060B, P2138, P2135, P2122, P2119, P2004, P2005, and P0191. Mileage was 49,983. There was no prior symptom. The vehicle had a full multi-point inspection at the same dealer only 11 days and ~1,400 miles earlier ([XXX]); nothing was flagged. This failure mode is already known to Subaru, addressed by Technical Service Bulletin 09-119-24 and a warranty extension to 15 years/150,000 miles; the dealer repair order confirms the TSB. I am concerned Subaru handles a safety-relevant failure, one that disables collision-avoidance systems at highway speed, through a quiet warranty extension rather than a recall or owner notification. Owners get no warning and discover it only when it fails dangerously. I request the federal safety agency open a formal safety defect investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 31, 2026 · Driver assistance · ND

I was driving today January 30th 2026 on the road going 35 mph into the sunlight and all of the sudden my vehicle acted like I slammed on my brakes and I jerked forward almost hitting my chin in the steering wheel. Luckily no one was close behind me or I could have easily been hit. There was nothing in front of me so emergency brakes should not have deployed.

Filed Dec 20, 2025 · Acceleration · IL

Own a 2019 Suburu Crosstrek vehicle that has unexpectedly accelerated/lurched on its own when pulling forward into a parking spot. This has happened twice...last month & today.

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Steering · NY

Power steering issue at highway speeds conditions: lane centering turned off. Lane departure turned off. Straight line hwy driving. Occurs after constant driving over 60 minutes. Most noticeable above 50 MPH issue began after about 15,000 miles symptoms: when vehicle drifts slightly off center line right or left with about plus or minus 5 degrees steering input from steering center position. The power steering becomes sticky with resistance. It feels like power steering is grabbing hold then releasing. Occasionally simulates a toe-out alignment condition. Example: vehicle drifts slightly to the right-of-center or left-of-center then driver attempts a very slight opposite correction input, the steering feels resistant as though it is stuck in position then steering quickly releases hold causing a slight steering jerk. This causes the vehicle to swerve unexpectedly and dangerously causing the vehicle to potentially cross into oncoming traffic or into adjacent lane traffic. Steering goes from normal resistance then stiff then suddenly too loose. Then repeat over and over… causing constant dangerous swerving at highway speeds. Note: this occurs even when all eyesight and lane centering/departure is off or disabled.

Filed Sep 30, 2025 · Acceleration · CA

In August of 2024, I got into my car in a parking lot and turned the key in the ignition. The car started revving really high. I waited for it to slow down, and then I put it into reverse. The car shot back and would have hit the building if I hadn't slammed on the brakes. Fortunately, there wasn't anyone behind the car at the time, but the woman who had just walked in back of my car to enter the building stood there looking at me. I slowly put my foot on the gas pedal and drove home. The following day, I had a tow truck come and take the car to the dealer. They did a scheduled maintenance service and replace the throttle body. Everything was fine until 9/28/25. I was driving out of a parking lot and entering the street going very slowly, suddenly the car lurched forward very fast, and I had to slam on my brakes to stop it. I drove it home. I notified a friend who knew a mechanic that he said was familiar with this type of issue. He got in touch with the dealership where the car had been serviced, and I got a call from the Service Department manager. He asked me to bring the car in so they could try to find out what the problem was. He said that if they couldn't find out what it was, an engineer might be called in to inspect the car. I am planning on having the car towed to the dealership this week. On neither occasion did any warning lights come on in the car. It was very fortunate that no one was hurt during either incident, but it could have been tragic. I was only about 15 feet away from a crosswalk when the second incident occurred. I read online that the manufacturer is involved in a lawsuit where several other people have had the same experience, although not the same model as my car. I have driven the same brand of car for about fifteen years and have never had a problem before.

Filed May 23, 2025 · Steering, Suspension · IL

There are 2 issues that I have noticed since I bought my car from a subaru dealership 10 DAYS ago. the first is that upon driving at highway speeds (over 50 mph) It feels like the car is jerky and pulls in a shaky rocking manner. this happened continuously, when I was using the cruise control and when I was not using the cruise control. It basically felt like I was driving in 40mph winds that were moving my car independently of what I was doing. The second is also something that happens at highway speeds, my driver side mirror shakes and vibrates so much so that I can't make out the surrounding space, cars and road at all. I scheduled a service appointment at the same dealership immediately. I told them these issues and upon inspection they reported that they do not see or report any such issues that I am concerned about. Stating that these are quote "characteristics" of the car. These are both potentially very dangerous problems that Subaru has stated is not an issue as far as they are concerned. There is a lawsuit about the driver side mirror that was filed in september of 2024. I just bought this car used with 10,500 miles on it and NOBODY mentioned anything in person or on the pre certified inspection checklist, CARFAX report or anything of that nature about these issues which Subaru must actually know about. If I was told about theses issues I would have not bought the car. And they are continuing to deny anything is wrong, saying its just a characteristic of the car. There are no warning lights or messages alerting of this issue within the car.

Filed Apr 12, 2025 · Steering · TN

I recently have started experiencing a sticky/jerky steering wheel (24K miles). It happens when the car is fully warmed up on longer road trips whether the cruise control engaged or not. In fact, it's worse without cruise control. The steering wheel requires stronger pull and then releases quickly. I could not reproduce it at the dealership as it's nearby and does not require a long trip, but of course right after I left it, the steering wheel started sticking again. The technician did not know what it could be and stated he could not reproduce the issue. There is no issues with alignment or tire balancing. I am noticing it more consistently in warmer weather. It is not an issue at all when it's 20 degrees F. No lights are triggered. I believe this is a huge safety issue as I constantly need to correct the steering when it is stuck. I posted this issue on Reddit with multiple owners experiencing the same problem: [XXX] / It is also the same problem as Honda Civic 2022-2023 models have. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 9, 2025 · Engine · CA

I have a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, I am the second owner, the first owner bought it in 2019, I am having acceleration problems, I have already taken it to two different mechanics, they say it is a problem with the computer, they have already checked and scanned it and they tell me that you have to reprogram the ECM for DTC P1603 / Engine idle drop or stall, when the car accelerates it makes a jerky or knocking noise when I go 15 miles or stop and move forward again the car locks, this only happens when the car is already warm and has been used for about 10 minutes

Filed Feb 19, 2025 · Acceleration · 42,000 miles · NJ · crash

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while pulling into a parking spot and depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal a second time, the vehicle jerked, unintendedly accelerated, drove up the curb, and crashed into the metal plastic pole of Wawa. The pole was fractured. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. There was no warning light illuminated. A police report was filed, but the contact did not have the police report information available. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could only diagnose the vehicle after it had been repaired by an auto body repair shop. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that she would be contacted later and would be informed of the location she would need to take the vehicle for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.