Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Subaru Crosstrek on May 22, 2026. The sale was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was recorded at 77,441. The contact later purchased a CARFAX report which was reported at 214,767 in February 2026. The contact reported the information to the local authorities.
Ignition key keeps intermittently locking into ignition when trying to retrieve key. Putting vehicle in park, key will turn engine off, but then will not turn all the way to release the key. Key has a key fob, vehicle is placed on parking gear. Sometimes restarting vehicle can help, sometimes shifting gears and driving vehicle again can help. Sometimes turning steering wheel helps. Sometimes all you can do is wait a few to five minutes to be able to turn off vehicle and retrieve car. No warning lights. After my warranty expired was when I noticed the problem. Bought vehicle used less than a year ago. It can be a safety risk if I cannot retrieve my key and then anyone could jump in and steal it as their is no other way to lock the vehicle unless I automatically locky myself out.
Battery drains excessively and frequently. Will not hold a charge. Frequently replacing battery only to have it fail. The personal safety issue here is being stranded with a dead battery in an unsafe environment with no way to escape, or needing the vehicle for an immediate personal health emergency and having the vehicle not start. I don't know if there is a safety related issue with operating the car with this electrical system issue. There are scores of web searches that depict this issue of parasitic draining of the battery by the vehicle's controller area network. Several class action lawsuits are referenced. I don't find any information that the lawsuits have resolved in a recall of any sort. Thank you for your interest in it this issue.
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 NHTSA 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.
The electrical system and engine flickers on and off or sometimes dies entirely. The trigger is unknown and the underlying cause is unknown. It is unsafe because this has occurred while the vehicle is moving. The problem was confirmed and reproduced by a Subaru service center. They were unable to diagnose the issue. There is no warning when it will happen.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek. While driving the vehicle, the heating system became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the electrical wires in the air conditioning/heating system control unit were melted. The contact was informed that the air conditioning/heating unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 80,001.
Three times I have safely stopped my car to take a phone call. I put the gear in park and left the key in acc/accessory position. Each time the acc/accessory position has totally drained the battery in 5-10 minutes. Subaru dealer service has informed me that all models from 2014 have a "weak" underperforming battery and they replace the damaged by depletion battery with the same battery. Subaru has never warned anyone or acknowledged this problem. I feel it is dishonest and dangerous to have this in the manual "the second position is the acc/accessory position, which allows you to use your radio, windshield wipers, and other accessories while the engine is off." when in fact you can never safely use the acc position. I have been lucky -- I was on city streets. What about someone on the highway stopping to use their phone. Or even to rest? …
I was driving the car when all the lights on dash come on. Constant jerking/bucking of the car without increasing pressure to the gas peddle. Meter rpms indicator needle is erratic moving back and forth while the engine revs. The mpg needle goes from plus to minus erratically also. At this time the car is not dependable. I have brought the car to granite Subaru 4 times for the same complaint. They say they have used the diagnostic meter to determine the problem but it still remains, now even worse. I have discussed the problem with a engineer and 2 auto mechanics who feel the problem is with the computer. I mentioned this to granite Subaru and was told that was not the problem. My plan at this time is to bring my car to autozone and have them evaluate my car. I am hoping to get a list of error codes to bring to Subaru with the hope that the 5th time will be my last. …
Rodents destroyed a wire associated with my power steering. The car was towed to the dealer, and they provided a rental. The next night the same wire was again destroyed by rodents. Again the power steering was disabled. At that point I sensed something was amiss, so I filed a report with law enforcement. After speaking to the dealer and doing some research it became apparent that 100% of the wires in my vehicle are insulated with a soy based material. This includes wiring related to vital safety systems like airbags. Insulating automobile wires with soy, especially those wires related to safety equipment, is an engineering disgrace. Rodents have always had a tendency to chew on wiring. Therefore, using the same product found in commercial rodent food to insulate vital automobile wiring is outrageous. …
The reverse camera intermittently does not work when it should. The Subaru service center replaced the audio unit 6 months ago when this concern first started to happen but the repair did not work since it still happens. The dealer & Subaru customer service support were not able to come to a resolution the 2nd time around for this problem. I have elected to leave the vehicle with the dealer for them to try and verify & diagnose but they refuse to keep it longer than one week. It is getting frustrating as when the camera is most needed, it does not work. Thankfully there have been no injuries or collisions due to this problem & I am 100 percent aware that this system is just an "aid" & not to be relied on 100 percent when backing the vehicle up.
Electrical complaints in other XV Crosstrek years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek, 25% of the model year's 81 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.