2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek transmission problems

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Transmission · 59,900 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving 72 MPH, the vehicle stalled and bucked, with a grinding sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. Additionally, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle, and there was fluid leaking from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the transmission could be replaced with a rebuilt transmission with approximately 50,000 miles or with a new transmission. The contact chose the rebuilt transmission, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,900.

Filed May 14, 2026 · Transmission · CA

I am filing a complaint regarding a major CVT transmission failure in my 2015 Subaru Crosstrek at approximately 117,318 miles. Prior to failure, there were no warning lights, dashboard messages, or significant indications of impending transmission failure. The only noticeable symptom was a slight whistling noise coming from the vehicle shortly before the transmission issue became severe. The sudden nature of the failure created a safety concern because the vehicle’s ability to accelerate and respond reliably while driving was compromised without meaningful warning. A sudden loss of reliable transmission function creates potential risk when merging, accelerating, or operating in traffic. The issue has been confirmed by a Subaru dealership, which quoted approximately $10,000 for transmission replacement. Subaru of America was contacted directly and declined assistance despite known widespread CVT issues in Subaru vehicles of this generation and prior warranty extensions issued for CVT-related problems. The vehicle has not been modified or involved in any collision related to this failure. The failed transmission/component is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle has been inspected by a Subaru dealership service department. I believe this transmission failure reflects a broader pattern of premature CVT failures affecting 2013–2015 Subaru Crosstrek vehicles and warrants further investigation due to the safety implications and financial burden placed on consumers after sudden drivetrain failure without warning.

Filed Dec 13, 2022 · Electrical, Seat belts · WV

Several components' issues and scheduled to take back to Subaru dealer on 12/16/2022. Several times after parking car and getting back in, when shifting to 1st gear to take off, the car goes in reverse instead of forward. Rear backup camera sporadically works. Tire pressure light came on and won't turn off. Front end shakes when braking dealer said it was new brakes, but still happening. Front passenger seat belt locked and will not release, no one can sit in front seat. After purchasing the car, and having so many issues, checked the fluid and there was not a drop of oil on the dipstick. Nothing but problems with car from the date of purchase.

Filed Dec 22, 2021 · Transmission · SC

Driving at night on interstate approximately 70 mph using adaptive cruise control. Suddenly engine revs higher and car slows down. Cruise control deactivates. Applying gas cause the engine to rev but car continues to slows down. Pulled to side of interstate. Infotainment system screen flashes to black then back on. Turned car off and back on again and behaved normally. Was able to continue driving with no issues. This same sequence of events also happened approximately one year ago. So this is the second occurrence. The first time I knew I had a bad O2 sensor so thought it may be related to that but the sensor has now been replaced and the same issue has reoccurred.

Filed Nov 19, 2021 · Transmission · VT

I have owned this vehicle since 2018 and at random times on the highway the engine will lose power and the car will drift to a halt. No warning signs beforehand and this has happened at various stages of highway drives. Pressing the accelerator will only cause the car to slow more. After each time I have had it towed to the nearest Subaru dealership and they cannot find any issues. I have read several other complaints on here describing the issue perfectly. It seems either Subaru cannot figure out whats wrong or simply doesn't care. I have been very lucky to have gotten to safety each time this has happened but I feel serious harm can be caused by this problem. My vehicle has been inspected by several different Subaru dealerships and I get the same runaround every time. The service reps cannot find anything wrong with the engine and no codes come up when they plug it in. Subaru needs to figure this out as there is clear documentation here that this is a large problem. This has forced me to sell what otherwise would be a good car and find something else.

Filed May 6, 2021 · Acceleration, Transmission · 74,330 miles · VA

I noticed that when got to accelerate from stoping that car won't go. When I hit the gas the vehicle moves only a little and if I push my foot on the acceleration peddle harder and all the way down the vehicle actually slows down. It happened this morning on city street roads not going any faster than 45mph. The only way to get it to go again is taking my foot off the gas peddle and re placing it and it then will go back to accelerate as it should when I press the gas peddle. I have gotten it looked at suburu dealership and they were unable to figure out the problem. It happened to me twice this morning. Once when turning off my street taking a right trying to accelerate to 25mph and then another when trying to accelerate after a stop light on a 45 MPH road. I will be reporting it from now on every time it happens. This is very unsafe, it could easily cause an accident. Thank goodness no one was right behind at those moments when I went to accelerate.

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 Feb 14, 2021 · Transmission · 76,000 miles · PA

2015 crosstrek xr - concurrent with complaint #11396151 as a subaru owner who experienced the safety issue expressed in the above-referenced complaint, I am also an attorney with mass tort (defense) experience, and would like to know: 1) why a safety recall has not been issued when multiple complaints of the same failure and manifesting results have been documented with the federal safety agency, as they appear to meet the elements for a recall set forth in the federal safety agency publications.; 2) if the federal safety agency gave subaru a 'pass' by not issuing a recall because perhaps (?) subaru countered with but for the gov's model federal fuel efficiency standards having gone into effect in 2012 it would not have begun equipping its vehicles with cvts to meet those fuel efficiency standards. I.e., did subaru claim or did the federal safety agency believe that the use of cvts was urged by the federal safety agency, and approved by the federal safety agency, and therefore the federal safety agency is partly responsible/liable for any safety issues and occurrences, and perhaps chose to overlook the safety concerns? (not saying this is the case- I'm asking if it is the case.) 3) were there accidents that occurred because of this issue, and did any of those cause injuries or deaths have resulted from such issues that were not reported to the federal safety agency. (considering the possibility that when one sees a mangled vehicle they usually do not think, 'let's take apart the transmission to see if it failed' as well as considering that the letter owners received from subaru said the warranty was being extended for 'customer satisfaction' and that there were 'no safety concerns' leading people to believe there were, in fact, no safety concerns (despite complaints showing on this nthsa complaint site?) 4) to what extent has nthsa investigated these incidents? (of transmission failures abruptly stopping vehicles in the middle of expressways at 60-80 MPH? Thank you.

Filed Feb 14, 2021 · Transmission · 76,000 miles · PA

2015 crosstrek. Was driving on i476 in pa on a 35 degree sunny day on 2/6/2021 for about 3-5 miles at steady speed of 65 MPH when suddenly the car bumped (although nothing was in the road/no pothole) with a loud noise (nothing flew off car) and abruptly slowed to a crawl even with foot still on the gas. Luckily we were in the right hand lane with an open shoulder to swerve into otherwise the person behind us likely would have slammed into us (seeing as no brake lights would have gone on since foot was on the gas). Tires, underbelly and under hood looked fine. 76k miles. Never had any issues with the car whatsoever other than rear wheel bearings replaced due to age a few months prior. Otherwise just maintenance per the maintenance and warranty manual. No issues or indications of any problem leading up to it and just had the serpentine belt replaced just due to age (precautionary) the day prior. Had mechanic generally inspect car the day before when belt was being changed because planned to drive to nc the end of that week. Called aaa who (after 2 hr wait) towed to our mechanic. Our mechanic spoke to concordville subaru (melissa b.) and we had it towed there. Were told by concordville, 'transmission needs to be rebuilt. The gears jammed in the transmission and some broke and there was some collateral damage. The warranty is extended so it should be covered and I'll work with the subaru inspector to have the collateral damage covered.' the next day when they were told by us that we had the differential fluid changed (per subaru maintenance schedule) they said it's probably a differential issue so won't be covered and if we want to see if there is a transmission issue it is $1000 all in for diagnostics and $8k for a transmission rebuild if it's not covered 'and I doubt the inspector will approve more than 25% being covered.' (melissa b.) (via email)

Filed Oct 5, 2020 · Electrical, Steering · 88,598 miles · CA

When I go to park and turn off the key it locks half way and won't come out. Have to reverse and pull forward sometimes several times before it will turn completely off. Subaru has a technical service date: 03/15/18 16-112-18r revised bulletin about an issue with the "shift selecter mechanism." subaru is aware of the persistent problem, but has not issued a recall.