7.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
39,550 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. replace engine (2 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Subaru dealer.

problem #8

May 012019

XV Crosstrek

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Oil light keeps turning on after only 1,500 miles from oil change. Ongoing issue for 3 times.. have been told this is an issue from the dealer with this year. Are still waiting to see what they are going to do about it. Car has NO power, bogs down trying to pass. horrible gas mileage.

Extremely unhappy. Steering on snow & Ice is horribly scary. I will get rid of ASAP. Car is a lemon!!!

- Deb K., Dillon, MT, US

problem #7

Apr 102020

XV Crosstrek Premium 2.0L 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 110,000 miles

I noticed that our Subaru was burning oil with the last oil change that I performed on it. The oil light was on in the dash when I changed it, it was about 1 qt low after 4,500 miles since the last oil change. It's not under warranty anymore so I'm going to take it to my local mechanic to check it out. I'll update when this happens.

Update from Jul 31, 2020: Update on the excessive oil usage, I had an independent mechanic and the subaru dealership tell me that it was “normal” for these motors to burn some oil as they get more broken in. If you ask me, that should not be the normal. Since my last post we have had a major issue with the car. Head on over to the “transmission problems” to read my complaint their. That one is much worse than the oil consumption.

- brando2569, Turlock, US

problem #6

Jun 232017

XV Crosstrek

  • Manual transmission
  • 29,000 miles

I bought a brand new 2013 XV Crosstrek and really didn’t notice this problem until about 4 years after owning the vehicle. My oil light came on after taking a few extended trips of 1100 miles each way and didn’t even think to check the oil. Well I was on one my third trip and just crossed the bridge leaving St Louis and heading into East St Louis and my low oil light started flashing. I pulled over and checked my oil level and it was almost at the empty mark. I then checked under my vehicle thinking maybe my drain plug was coming unloose, but it was tight. I then drove on and found a store to buy some oil and replace to the full level.

My vehicle drove well the remainder of the trip and I thought everything was good. I had previously received the class action law suit paperwork and read and filed it because I didn’t think I had any issues with my Crosstrek. Well, I decided to monitor it on my next trip and at about the 500 or so mile point I noticed by oil level beginning to drop and at the 1,200 mile point it had dropped to almost a quart low. So I filled up and continued to watch. On my return trip back home the same happened.

In October 2018 I took my vehicle in for an oil consumption test and I will see what the dealer says. Subaru should have issued a recall for this problem and not evade the issue by saying all engines use oil. I will be heading back to my the Toyota dealer if they don’t fix my issue and will just take the loss and will be more than glad to voice my opinions to anyone considering buying from Subaru.

After reading a lot more stuff on the web, I decided to check my oil level before I put hardly any miles on it and what do you know, they filled by car with an extra quart. Instead of putting 5 quarts, they gave me an extra quart of oil. Some real nice guys at the Subaru Dealer at Colorado Springs giving me that free quart. They even paid for the other 5 quarts.

Took my Crosstrek in on Jan 2019 for them to check the oil consumption after driving 1,300 miles, the tech said it didn't use any oil. Simply amazing. How do they do it? Wow! This is almost Rocket Science. Glad I'm not hard up for money. I will drive this vehicle a few more years and try to remember to check the gas when I fill up with oil. Then I will be headed over to the Toyota Dealer.

Way-to-Go, Heuberger Subaru, Colorado Springs (Give discredit when due)

- S O., Colorado Springs, US

problem #5

Feb 052016

XV Crosstrek Premium 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 69,000 miles

noticed my 2013 Subaru oil light coming on between oil changes. went to tri city Subaru in Rochester nh they did an oil change. I went back in 1200 miles. then again in another 1000 miles .both times I was down about 1/2 qt they immediately ordered me a new short block and a week later I got my car back with a new engine courtesy of Subaru .no hassle no complaining they just fixed it they gave me a loaner while my cross trek was in the shop . I could not be happier with the experience at tri city Subaru Rochester NH. a complete pleasure to do business with they now have a loyal customer for life.

- Tony P., Milton, NH, US

problem #4

Feb 072015

XV Crosstrek

  • Manual transmission
  • 2,600 miles

Same issue as others. New car, very excited, before first oil change the light comes on thinking, oh crap. NEW CARS DON'T DO THIS! Well, according to Shortline Subaru it is a known issue, and did consumption test and stated car was within tolerances. Sold the car fixed the problem with a Toyota.

Shortline Denver sucks.

- Rick B., Grand Junction, CO, US

problem #3

Jan 022015

XV Crosstrek Limited 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 27,340 miles

click to see larger images

excessive oil use

I was just starting my vacations when the problems began.

First the Oil alarm on the screen, saying "low oil level". When I checked it, it was really at the lowest point, so had to add about 0.5 L of the same oil. (Which was not easy to find in the entrance of the Atacama dessert)

Then the red oil begin to appear everytime the engine was above 2.000 rpm.

Took the car to the dealer asap, they changed the oil completely, and gave it back to me saying it was OK.

Next day I was on a highway, and then again the red light came on, just when passing 1800rpm.

At this point I feel dissappointed about the car. Being new as this, having all the services done by the Subaru dealership, it's horrible to have such dangerous problems, and so little answer from the company.

This was my third Subaru, I really liked the car but honestly, after all of this, I think it is going to be the last one.

- Eduardo S., Santiago, Providencia, Chile

problem #2

Apr 252013

XV Crosstrek

  • Manual transmission
  • 250 miles

The first week I owned this brand new 2013 Crosstrek, the oil light came on. Never had that happen with a brand new vehicle, so I was concerned and went back to the dealer and they advised there is no leak, it's just the "break-in" period for a new vehicle....there's nothing to worry about.

I now have to add a quart of oil every 1200 miles. This is not right and I have spent hundreds of dollars on buying quarts of oil, so I took it to a Subaru dealer, and they told me I have no oil in my engine. Nice!!! The oil light didn't even come on this time. They advised they will have to do an oil consumption test, so they put in fresh oil and told me to call after I've driven 850 miles so they could get me in to check the levels. I called at 850 miles and the dealership told me they could not get me in for 4 days, which would put me over the limit of driving 1200 miles. I found that a little unfair and rude on their part since I did exactly as they said. I advised I will go over the 1200 miles since the oil change and he told me I would have to start over and do it again.

At this point, I will have gone over my extended warranty of 80,000. I am screwed either way. I owned a brand new Nissan Xterra prior to this vehicle and never once did the oil light come, nor did I have to add any oil to it. I think Subaru is a horrible vehicle and I will never own one again. Southern States Subaru Dealership in Raleigh, NC is also horrible because they tell you what you need to do but then don't accommodate you when you follow their instructions. The service rep, Chuck, needs to learn some customer service skills as well. His telephone etiquette sucks.

- fluffers111, Benson, NC, US

problem #1

Jul 012013

XV Crosstrek Limited 2.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 8,000 miles

I am having to top up the engine oil every 3000 miles. I am aware this a problem with other Subaru makes and your website has included the 2013 Crosstrek as having the problem. If anyone can tell me if the 2014 Crosstrek has the same problem I would be grateful as I'm thinking of biting the bullet and simply trading this car in for a 2014 model. I only have 20,000 miles on the 2013 but simply do not want to live with this problem.

- Maggie C., Worcester, NY, US