2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek engine problems

Filed Dec 23, 2025 · Engine · HI

While driving at normal operating speed, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of engine power with no prior warning. There were no dashboard alerts, warning lights, or check engine indicators before the failure occurred. The vehicle became immediately unsafe to operate and had to be pulled over in a main highway center lane divide. After inspection by a licensed mechanic, it was determined that the engine suffered catastrophic internal failure due to oil and engine coolant mixing. This resulted in complete engine failure and rendered the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle has been properly maintained with all routine oil changes and inspections completed on schedule. There was no indication of overheating or mechanical issues prior to the failure. The condition that caused the failure was not detectable through normal maintenance. The sudden loss of power without warning created a significant safety risk to the driver and surrounding traffic. Due to the nature of the failure, the engine requires full replacement, and both 12v and hybrid batteries were also damaged and require replacement. This incident raises concern regarding a potential latent defect related to the engine or cooling system, particularly given reports of similar issues in this model year.

Filed May 17, 2024 · Engine · HI

Oil leaking into coolant system. Car has been through several repairs but the problem continues even after multiple repairs of possible source of leakage. Potential hazard or car catching on fire with leaking oil fluid.

Filed Jun 13, 2023 · Engine · VA

On Sunday, 11 June I was driving from Brigatine, NJ back to Alexandria, VA. Just east of Baltimore around 11:45am, after about 2.5 hours of driving, I tried to accelerate on I-95. The car did not respond and after several seconds I realized I was slowing. I pulled off to the shoulder and once stopped the engine shut down before putting into park. I only received a check engine light, battery light, and fluid light after the car shut down. I tried to restart, but it would not catch or just sputtered. I waited a minute, tried again and it started but then went out about 20 seconds later. At that point I called AAA for a tow. After the tow was arranged, I started the car for a short time and pulled farther off the highway, then shut it down again. About 45 minutes or so later, I started the car and ran it for several minutes at idle while waiting for the tow truck. The AAA truck showed up, and I took the tow because I did not want to break down in one of the Baltimore tunnels. On 12 June, the Subaru dealership could not confirm any faults and could not replicate. I have no idea what the issue was. I did stop twice during that 2.5 hours for about 5 minutes each time (bathroom breaks). At the time I had about an 1/8th of a tank of gas in the car with 110 miles in range showing on the computer (figured I would make it home and refill then). Temperatures were warm. The Subaru dealership did not charge me for anything and told me they often get cases they cannot replicate.

Filed Mar 2, 2023 · Engine · PA

The Engine of the car stopped while on the road. The car is available for inspection upon request. Due to the engine while driving in the middle of the road. The safety of others was at risk The problem was not reproduced by the dealer or by a service center. Yes the manufacturer inspected and failed to reproduce the failure Yes, The error message was “Check Hybrid System, Stop in a safe place, turn engine off, Switch Off, and Restart. Check Owners Manual”

Filed May 19, 2022 · Engine · IL

The car has the temp light come on intermittently and then it never came on again. I opened the hood and a hose from the radiator to the overflow tank was not connected. I brought the car to a Subaru dealer. The technician found oil in the radiator of the car. I was told this could be a head gasket and the engine may need to be replaced. The car has around 75,000 miles on it.

Filed Apr 21, 2021 · Engine · CA

Head gasket failure, resulting in water and oil contamination. Taken to dealer for servicing on february 12, 2021, and still not fixed as of april 21, 2021.

Filed Apr 20, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · 1,000 miles · WV

Since I bought this 2015 crosstrek in 2015 there have been multiple times where I have pulled out and the vehicle pauses. Like there is no power or it is taking a breath. No matter the pressure on the accelerator it does not go. Then like a gasp it starts to pick up speed. Does not shut off but zero power. It happens regardless the weather, length of time car has been running. It has caused me a narrow miss before because I could not get into my lane. I was pulling into traffic from a slow speed most times. Once it happened while in traffic driving.

Filed Aug 13, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 100,630 miles · MA

I was driving my 2015 subaru crosstrek. I had been on the highway for an hour. I was going about 78mph. The car suddenly started getting loud and the tachometer was revving down. It went quickly from 3 to 0 and immediately shut down. When I realized it was revving down and getting louder I began to shift towards the lanes on the right to the break down lane. My car didn't make it. It was about 3 min from when I realized something was wrong. I got stuck in the lane right next to the passing lane with 2 other lanes on the right of me to get to the breakdown lane. My car had power, my hazards were on, my radio was on, my windows opened and the car wouldn't turn on. I got my car towed to my moms and it turned on at arrival about 14 min after it shut down on me. I was able to drive it home 14 min away and then drive it 35 min to a subaru dealer. The dealer says its the battery but it doesnt make sense to me if the car ignition wouldn't go on but lights radio and windows worked and 15 min later the car turned on and drove like nothing happened.

Filed May 24, 2019 · Engine · 32,900 miles · SC

I decided to drive from phoenix, az to san diego, ca when about 200 miles in, my engine completely shut off while I was driving about 85mph down the highway. The entire trip my car had been fine, the gas light had just come on about a minute before, but my car told me I had 50 miles until I ran out of gas. I had absolutely no warning of the engine about to shut off except that around the same time the gas light came on, my AC quit working. I was trying to mess with the AC when I suddenly went from 85 to 30mph and had to pull off immediately because I realized my engine had shut off. Once I pulled over and the car was completely stopped, the check engine light came on. I could not get the car restarted so I called a tow company to tow me to the nearest town. While waiting on the tow truck, I sat in my car using the battery to charge my phone, so I know the battery was not dead. Once the tow truck driver arrived he tried to start my car again, but could not. About 24 hours later I had a family friend come tow the car back to phoenix, and he was able to start the car and drive it onto the tow ramp! I was still afraid to drive it, and we towed it directly to the dealership. The dealership was able to drive it the next day, drove it for about 50 miles and said they could find nothing wrong with it. I have no idea what happened, but I'm scared to drive my car because if the engine would have shut off on a busy interstate I could have died. I had only owned the car for 10 days before this happened, and I hadn't even put 500 miles on it. Currently the dealership in phoenix has it and is trying to figure out what happened.

Filed Jan 14, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Takata recall for the past year I have been checking my motor oil and refilling as needed. Learning to be a car mechanic is one of my hobbies that I like to do. In doing so, I always check my car and make sure its up and running with no issues. I have constantly notice that there was some oil under the engine whether old or fresh. Then just recently I went to my local subaru dealership to finally get to the bottom of it. As a result I learned that the cam box seal is leaking. I then did my research on it and found out that it's a common issue among other subaru owners and that other car brand uses gaskets in which it lasts longer. In my view, other owners may not know how or when to check under their car for these kind of issues and this can lead to the engine not having enough oil to burn and breaking down or similar situations. It may not be a short term effect but if it can be prevented it should be.