Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 107 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 15 | 14% |
| Unknown or other | 13 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 10% |
| Air bags | 6 | 6% |
| Steering | 6 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 6% |
| Structure | 4 | 4% |
| Engine | 3 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 3% |
| Seats | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Metal Frame of side torso area of seat wore through foam. very sharp and painful could possibly cut skin and impact in crash could be medically dangerous.
NHTSA complaint: Seats
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The car had a front collision and the air bags did not deploy.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Some times the passenger airbag light comes on and off. This is a reoccurring problem and I don’t see any recalls on this
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I am reporting a complete engine failure on my 2014 Subaru Crosstrek at 140,000 miles due to a valve spring issue that appears to match Subaru’s Recall WTY-84 (NHTSA Campaign 18V772000). I checked my VIN and it currentl
NHTSA complaint: Engine
When attempting to put the car in park, the key will not release and is stuck. Incident happens often in recent past days. Key will not release from ignition.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I have been getting my 2014 Subaru Crosstrek serviced at Continental Subaru in Anchorage, Alaska for the last 4.5 years. I initially thought that they were an honest dealer/mechanic. I originally bought my Subaru in Cali
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
| Reliability raw | 88 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 85 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 74 | good |
| Performance | 55 | average |
| Efficiency | 46 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 107 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 15 of them (14%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 88/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 85/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2014 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 77/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.