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Subaru XV Crosstrek stalling problems

17 of the 264 owner complaints about the Subaru XV Crosstrek describe engine stalls while driving, most of them for the 2013 model year.

owner complaints
17
worst model year
2013
typical mileage
78,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Trouble codes mentioned

P0021 1

What owners say

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 Sep 1, 2025 · Engine · CA

The engine stalled unexpectedly during operation. I noticed a sudden loss of power, and the vehicle shut off without warning. This has happened more than once, posing a safety concern.

Filed Jun 2, 2025 · Engine · SC

The engin malfunctioned. My safety and the safety of others was at risk because when an engin fails while driving it can cause a serious crash. The valve spring which is located inside the engin of the vehicle did fracture which resulted in the engin stalling while driving and was not able to be restarted. An engin stall while driving will increase the risk of a crash and serious injury. There were no warnings, the problem has been confirmed by a subaru dealer service manager.

Filed Aug 28, 2024 · Engine · WA

2.0L Engine Valve Spring Fracture may Cause Engine stall and excessive oil leaks that migrates in the catalytic converter causing fumes that linger inside the car with a very strong smell.

Filed Jun 27, 2023 · Engine · NY

MY 2013 SUBARU CROSSTREK stalled on the highway in March 2023 while I was driving home from work. I brought it to Hassett Subaru in Wantagh because a friend told me that there was a recall on the spring valve (from 5 years ago, which I was never notified of). Vlad Oriol wanted to charge me a few thousand dollars to breakdown the engine, even though that was a requirement of the recall. I checked the VIN and found out my car was covered by the spring valve recall. Since the car was unsafe to drive, I then called Subaru headquarters who sent a tech supervisor to investigate the situation. The tech supervisor said the problem was due to the recall so the engine breakdown was covered. The tech supervisor said the "rocker arm had come loose from excessive lash, but was tied to the recall issue," and also added that there was no other damage. Hassett Subaru was forced by Subaru headquarters to preform the recall fix. I picked up my car (we live 2 miles from Hassett) and the very next day the car wouldn't accelerate and was constantly misfiring. I brought the car back to Hassett. The tech supervisor came out again to investigate, this time there was additional damage to the cam shaft (which was not there before Hassett worked on the car). Hassett told Subaru headquarters that there was a preexisting issue with the car (which was totally false). As a result Subaru headquarters would not cover the cost to fix the problem that Hassett caused by attempting to fix the recall issue. Thanks to Hassett's misrepresentations to Subaru headquarters we have a car that doesn't run and can't afford a new one.

Filed Dec 20, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · MI

Driving on the freeway my car lost power i pulled off to the side and tried to restart it. As I have the ignition turned over for 30 to 40 seconds the starter sounded erratic and the oil temperature light was flashing. I sat there for about ten minutes and tried again and it did the same thing but it started. This power loss has happened twice. The erratic noise coming from the ignition, and the hesitation of starting is a regular ongoing issue along with the oil temperature light. Since the first stall at about 117000 miles on the odometer the car has been burning oil at a rate of a full quart about every 3000 miles. #2 Around 120000 miles my key wouldn't come out of the ignition. This happened first on a late night in a high crime area. I actually had to leave my keys in my ignition while going into a gas station to pay for fuel. Since then this happens every time I turn off my vehicle and put it into the park position. Usually I have to wait around ten minutes to be able to remove the keys. Both of these issues cause a great deal of anxiety on the freeway or having to leave the key in the ignition.

Filed Jul 14, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · UT · crash

The stall led to a collision, bent cam shaft and need for total engine repair.

Filed Jul 13, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · UT · crash

involved in a collision, possibly related to the stall issues mentioned in the collision. Reported to the insurance. They are pending repair on the matter due to recall and entire engine was required, which is more than the car is valued for.

Filed May 27, 2022 · Transmission · CA

Transmission failure while driving on highway caused it to suddenly stalled. On restarting engine, car kept jerking and stopping, became undrivable. Only 46,700 miles on the clock. No warning lights, no warning of any kind. Subaru issued 10 year extended warranty covering transmission on this car but should have recalled and replaced since failure is catastrophic and dangerous. I took my car to Subaru dealer and they found low transmission fluid. Instead of inspecting the seals, they blamed the problem on oil change by an independent garage, accusing them of erroneously drained out transmission fluid before the car broke down.

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.

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported November 1, 2018 · 165,534 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.
Risk
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1‑888‑270‑9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.

Recall number 18V772000 · Recall details

Questions about the Subaru XV Crosstrek stalling

Which Subaru XV Crosstrek years have engine stalls while driving problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2013 (14 complaints), 2015 (2 complaints) and 2014 (1 complaints).

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