Subaru XV Crosstrek adaptive cruise problems

Filed Jun 28, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · OH

Brake light switch failure. Triggering traction control warning light, hill assist warning light, and abs warning light, and disables cruise control. There was previously a recall (NUMBER: WUE-90 the federal safety agency ID: 19V‑149) for the brake light switch for Subaru models with my production date included, but because Hybrid Crosstrek models were not included, it will not be replaced under recall. I am still experiencing the same issues and cause, but it is not covered.

Filed Apr 9, 2025 · Electrical · CA

Pressing the horn button on the steering wheel does not sound the horn. However, pushing the “lock” or “panic” button on the key fob still makes the horn beep. So the horn itself works, but pressing on the steering wheel does absolutely nothing. Other buttons on the steering column still work (cruise control, radio controls, etc). Only pressing the horn button doesn’t work thus making me unable to alert other drivers of my presence if they are drifting toward me. This has not been evaluated by a mechanic or dealer yet as I do not have the money to do so. However, a simple search on Reddit will show you that many others are experiencing this with their Subaru Crosstreks. There were no symptoms or issues that led to this. It simply stopped working one day. And I am not someone who hits their horn very often so this is not an overuse issue. Once the horn button stopped working on the steering wheel, it has not worked since. I have not had the ability to alert drivers with my horn for over a month.

Filed Jun 23, 2022 · Acceleration, Brakes · WA

Whilst driving down Highway 101 near Sequim WA, I was on cruise control doing 55 MPH going up a steep hill which I have done numerous times before without issue. When all of a sudden the car suddenly slowed down, for me to hear honking from a Semi behind me who had to suddenly swerve to go around us to stop him from rear ending me (luckily that part of the road on the hill had a second lane for the truck to use, if not then me and my son would probably be seriously injured or dead.) I looked at the dashboard to find the engine warning light on, and the cruise control flashing, but the car was still running and drove fine with the accelerator pressed. Later on I found out this error code was P0024. When that issue happened, not only had the engine warning light illuminated, it caused not only the cruise control to disengage (without my input) but also for the vehicle stability control to stop working. Once again though the engine was still running file and in my opinion it disabling the cruise and stability control gravely endangered the occupants when it had no reason to disable them. Since then I have had other similar error codes such as P000D which have cause the same thing, but they happened on level ground so the car did not slow down so suddenly. I believe the issue is low or used engine oil, as when I got an oil change (within service life) the issues seems to have gone away; this has happened many times before. These PZEV vehicles not only in my opinion break EPA laws on emissions as they make the car burn through many quarts of oil in the service life, so how Subaru can claim PZEV when exchanging high RPS and a boat load of oil for some if any PZEV's I do not know. My car has two recalls, I have been urgently trying to get these fixed, but my two local dealerships (both 50 miles away) refuse to do the recalls as I filed a lemon complaint, and BBB complaint as one refused to honor a price match for thousands to me. I am a disabled Veteran and need car.

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 May 30, 2021 · Brakes, Engine · MO · crash

I own a Subaru Crosstrek XV Limited which I purchased new in November 2014. I was in a line of vehicles on a street waiting to enter a business parking lot and drive-thru. There was an incline from the street into the parking lot. The vehicle in front of me reached the top of the incline and turned right into the parking lot. With my foot remaining on the brake, I raised my foot slightly to allow my vehicle to move up the incline, my car suddenly accelerated and crashed into the bumper of the vehicle in front of me. The local police were contacted and a report was made. It was like when the cruise control is engaged and the engine given more power to climb an incline or hill. I don't know what caused this to happen, but am taking it to a local mechanic since the closest Subaru dealer is 75 miles away.

Filed Nov 2, 2020 · Electrical · 121,000 miles · SC

On two occasions while traveling over 70 MPH on I-26 outside of columbia, sc the vehicle's electric system appeared to malfunction and vehicle died immediately. The clock, fuel economy readings, and radio shut off. The vehicle stalled and had to be maneuvered to the shoulder of the interstate with no acceleration capability or power steering. The vehicle was capable of being restarted. On the first occasion, I restarted the vehicle and there were no faults, errors or anything noted so I continued to drive, assuming it was a one time event. The second time, the same problem happened and then a check engine light appeared. Following the second time, check engine illuminated, as well as the traction control light, and the cruise control image was blinking. Prior to all of these problems, I was having may issues engaging the cruise control and tried multiple button sequences to make cruise control work. I was able to get vehicle to autoparts store where code read p0021. To get safely home, the autoparts store recommended that I do a reset by disconnecting battery and turning off all electronics. This worked and I have driven since without the same event. This could easily have been fatal and must be investigated.

Filed Jan 7, 2020 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 200 miles · CA

Check engine light, oil temp, ABS light, cruise control light, traction control light and ABS light turned on at 90,000 miles. Had vehicle serviced by 2 different mechanics and transmission codes still appear.

Filed Aug 23, 2019 · Electrical · NJ

The horn has stopped working on the vehicle. Does not matter what position the steering wheel is in or if I am driving or stationary. I am at 72,000 miles. I had the issue checked by a mechanic - fuses were changed and checked, but the problem persists. I did an internet search which revealed other drivers with the same problem. I saw a recall in australia which: vibration over an extended period could result in a metal plate within the steering column wearing away the wiring insulation. The short circuit could disable control of the wipers, headlights, horn, driver's airbag and features actuated through the multi-function steering wheel, such as cruise control, audio system and mobile phone connectivity. The issue could also short out the fuse for the engine management system's ecu shutting off the engine.

Filed Oct 25, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · 141,000 miles · CA

The horn does not function when the steering wheel is aligned straight with the wheels and the vehicle is stationary or moving however when you turn the steering wheel to the left the horn will function. "subaru has already issued a recall in australia for problems related to manufacturing defect in the steering column that could lead to a short circuit, which would disable control of the wipers, headlights, horn, driver's airbag and features actuated through the multi-function steering wheel, such as cruise control, audio system and mobile phone connectivity". Models affected in this recall included impreza and crosstrek xv years 2012-2014, and forester models built in 2013 and 2014. No recalls have been issued in the u.s related to the steering and/or controls (apart from the takata recalls)

Filed Jul 26, 2017 · Acceleration · 39,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 subaru xv crosstrek. The contact stated that the cruise control failed to remain at the desired speed and increased speed suddenly without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (tucson subaru, 4901 n oracle rd, tucson, az 85704, (520) 422-2111) who replaced the cruise control switch. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.