2024 Subaru Crosstrek Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around two very different things: a large share of owners describe SiriusXM advertisements taking over the infotainment screen while driving, and a steady stream of windshield/mirror visibility complaints, especially a driver-side mirror that vibrates at highway speed. Most sampled complaints were filed in the first two years of ownership and at low mileage, and several describe trips to the dealer that ended without a fix.

1. 1
   Other or unknown

   SiriusXM ads taking over the infotainment screen

   • 20 complaints (17%)
   • typically at 2.1 yrs old
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe full-screen SiriusXM promotional messages appearing at random while driving, sometimes covering navigation or the backup camera and requiring a tap on a small button to dismiss. Complaints say there is no in-vehicle way to opt out, and that calling the number shown led to being told the messages could not be stopped. Several owners mention it happens every few months rather than every drive. Reported across a wide mileage range, including on nearly new vehicles, and described as recurring every few months.

   What to check: Ask the seller to demonstrate the infotainment system and confirm whether any marketing messages appear; check with the dealer about whether the vehicle's messaging preferences can be disabled.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am not a customer of Sirius XM, so approximately once per month, an ad appears on my screen for a Sirius XM free trial. This is incredibly distracting and dangerous as it takes up the entire screen and requires me to take my eyes off the road to click the close button.”

   NHTSA complaint #11701148, filed 2025-11

   “While I was driving the other day my entire infotainment screen (which shows my map, as well as climate controls) was completely overtaken by a giant ad for Sirius XM radio service. It was the ENTIRE screen and it required me to take my focus off of the road long enough to determine what was happening on the screen, find a button to make it go away, then accurately tap the button while driving. This was EXTREMELY DANGEROUS and I don't know how it is legal! …”

   NHTSA complaint #11701149, filed 2025-11
2. 2
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Driver-side mirror vibrates at highway speed

   • 10 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 1.5 yrs old
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners report the driver-side outside mirror shaking at highway speeds so that vehicles behind appear blurred, making merging harder; some say the passenger side is affected as well. Complaints describe repeated dealer visits and, in some cases, replacement of the mirror or housing without the vibration going away. Some owners were told the behavior was normal for the model. Mostly described at speeds above roughly 50 mph, on vehicles ranging from new to about 20,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the car at highway speed during the test drive and watch both mirrors; ask whether the mirror repair described in the service bulletin has been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There are 2 issues that I have noticed since I bought my car from a subaru dealership 10 DAYS ago. the first is that upon driving at highway speeds (over 50 mph) It feels like the car is jerky and pulls in a shaky rocking manner. this happened continuously, when I was using the cruise control and when I was not using the cruise control. It basically felt like I was driving in 40mph winds that were moving my car independently of what I was doing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11662802, filed 2025-05

   “I have noticed an issue with Driver side mirror housing, vibrates, and shakes while driving at any speed since I took delivery on September 27, 2024 from Subaru Of Clear Lake. It is making it hard to observe anything in that mirror, making it almost useless. Took it to Team Gilman Subaru north. They said that they tighten the mirror/ housing and that are confident that it is secure, but once I pull off lot it is still doing it! But I also was told that they would get me out quick and not have to do anything paperwork makes me wonder.”

   NHTSA complaint #11621623, filed 2024-10
3. 3
   Forward collision avoidance

   Automatic braking or cruise control behaving unexpectedly

   • 11 complaints (9%)
   • median 8,000 mi at 0.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Complaints describe the pre-collision braking engaging with nothing in the path, sometimes slowing the car sharply on the highway, and one owner reports cruise control not disengaging when the brake pedal was pressed. Others describe the vehicle resuming or changing speed on its own after the accelerator was used to overtake. Dealers in several cases could not duplicate the event. Reported across the first two years of ownership at varied mileage, on both highway and city roads.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test the adaptive cruise and pre-collision systems on a quiet road, confirm the driver-assist settings are as expected, and ask whether the EyeSight camera area has had any work done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Adaptive cruise control did not disengage when brake pedal was pressed. The cars ahead of me on the highway were coming to a stop, so I tried to veer to the right since the brakes didn't work. The lane assist kept fighting me and wouldn't let me veer off to the right. Almost hit the car in front of me. Now the car is undrivable and needs to be towed”

   NHTSA complaint #11753400, filed 2026-07

   “My 2024 Subaru Crosstrek was stopped at a red light behind a car. My cruise was disengaged after the car stopped and my foot was on the brake. Suddenly, the car lurched forward on its own and only stopped when I pressed hard on the brake and moved transmission from drive to park.”

   NHTSA complaint #11619942, filed 2024-10
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights judged too dim or oddly patterned

   • 13 complaints (11%)
   • median 60 mi at 0.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2025

   Owners describe low-beam reach as short, with a sharp cutoff and shadow patterns that move with steering, and some report snow building up in front of the lamp housings in winter driving. Complaints state dealers said the lights meet regulations and could not be adjusted. Often noted within the first few hundred miles, and reported as a constant characteristic rather than a sudden failure.

   What to check: Drive the car after dark on an unlit road before buying, and check that both headlamps are aimed as you would expect.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There is something inside the headlights that produces two shadows that are posing a safety risk. When driving and turning the steering wheel the shadows move which look like a small animal is darting out from the sides. The shadows are a distraction and have resulted in rapid braking thinking I was going to hit an animal. I attached photos showing the shadows up close but they are larger when I am driving. They are about the size of a boot or shoe box.”

   NHTSA complaint #11631763, filed 2024-12

   “Please look at the new Crosstrek models with my headlights. Subaru's are well known for their AWD capabilities and ease to drive through snow. The headlights on this model are shaped like a bowl and after 5 minutes of driving in snow the headlight bulbs are completely covered and you cannot see. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11569060, filed 2024-01
5. 5
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield cracks or shatters without a clear impact

   • 13 complaints (11%)
   • median 16,100 mi at 1.6 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Complaints describe windshields cracking from a small star-shaped point or splitting across the glass after a sharp sound, sometimes with no visible impact, and one owner reported a sunroof panel shattering while the vehicle sat in hot weather. Dealers in several cases referred owners to a glass shop or declined warranty coverage. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 26,000 miles, in both hot and cold conditions.

   What to check: Inspect the windshield and roof glass closely for chips, star marks, or repairs, and ask whether any glass has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2024 Subaru Crosstrek was parked in front of my house for 3 weeks in extreme heat. We drove it today to get it driven & we kept hearing wind. I slid open the sunroof inside piece & the sunroof glass was shattered due the vehicle doors being closed for 3 weeks in Las Vegas summer heat. On average the outside heat has been 105. I did not drive for 3 weeks due to having foot surgery. I called the local dealership where I bought the vehicle 6 months ago & they said they would not fix it under warranty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11678002, filed 2025-08

   “I have only had my vehicle (new 2024) for 5 months- no known or prior issues. I was driving on the highway, no vehicles around me and I hear a loud pop. A few minutes go by and the windshield begins to crack. Over the course of about an hour, it had spread across almost the entire windshield. With the recent history of Subaru windshields, I’m worried about the strength of their glass. Not saying there is a widespread issue at the moment, but concerned that in a few months or a year there may be a pattern.”

   NHTSA complaint #11627817, filed 2024-11

Buying note. Check the infotainment behavior and the driver-side mirror at highway speed on a test drive, since both are commonly described and not always resolved at the dealer. Confirm which open recalls or service bulletins have already been completed for the specific vehicle.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.