Advertisements routinely pop up on infotainment screen and block safety features like X Mode (for snow). They are a driving distraction, as they block all features on the screen and will not disappear until they are interacted with. This means that in inclement weather, I have to INTERACT WITH AN AD before using this safety feature. SiriusXM has refused to remove them. Subaru has said there is nothing they can do. This was also NOT disclosed to me upon purchase of the vehicle, so this is also a dishonest business practice on top of being a safety hazard by: not allowing usage of safety features and being a driving distraction. First and second incident was in November 2024, third was December 4, 2024. Most recent incidents occurred November 22, 2025 and December 2nd, 2025. I have photos as
2024 Subaru Crosstrek owner complaints
102 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 2 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.
other 11 complaints shown
Infotainment displayed an advertisement for serius XM radio while I was using navigation and operating the vehicle on the roadway.
This is the second time this has occurred. While driving (vehicle in motion for multiple minutes beforehand), an ad for SiriusXM radio popped up on my infotainment, which disables CarPlay, A/C controls, car settings, driver assistance settings, etc. until you dismiss the ad. There is no way to dismiss the ad except clicking a small “X” button in the corner, which is difficult and dangerous to do while driving because you have to really focus on the screen and tapping the right spot. Absolutely unacceptable and inappropriate to show an ad like that. If I were driving at night or in the rain, there is a high likelihood I would crash, and that chance is not zero even in good daytime weather. It also forces me to do something illegal (interact w screen while driving).
While driving, the infotainment screen was overtaken with an advertisement for SiriusXM radio which had to be manually cleared by hitting an X button on the screen. The vehicle was in motion when the advertisement appeared and completely covered the screen. At the time of the incident, the vehicle had been on and driving for over an hour.
Advertisements from serious xm taking over the screen. Distracting me from the road because I had to close the ad and open CarPlay back up. This is unacceptable!
About 5 minutes after I started driving, an ad for Sirius-XM radio subscription appeared on my infotainment system. It took up the entire screen, covering my AC controls and Apple CarPlay navigation - this meant that I was required to interact with/dismiss the ad. Because it was shown when I was driving (in motion), I was forced to unsafely and illegally interact with the touch screen to re-enable the functionality of my car. Showing an ad in the car is unacceptable in general, but especially in a situation when the car is in motion, where it poses a significant safety risk.
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! WHY are they allowed to project an ad into my field of vision, distracting my focus and potentially causing a deadly accident? This needs to be stopped! I love Subaru, but they need to stop endangering our lives with ads for satellite radio service I already don't want WHILE I'M DRIVING.
Distracting SiriusXm adds keep blocking navigation requiring physical input from driver to clear.
On infotainment touchscreen, repeated Sirius XM ads are shown while the vehicle is in operation. This is distracting and dangerous as the ads obscure actual critical functions like climate control, navigation, and vehicle settings until I tap the X on the ad to close it. Running ads while the vehicle is driving is not safe - this puts myself and other drivers at risk by introducing an unnecessary distraction. I cannot stress enough that these ads only appear WHILE the vehicle is driving.
While driving, the infotainment system, which I was using for navigation, popped up an ad for SiriusXM radio. This distracted me, as the driver, while I was trying to use the navigation system to find my way. Thankfully, I was on a road with a speed limit of 30 mph, and an area that I am familiar with. However, there should be ZERO tolerance for advertisements on automotive infotainment systems.
Ad for Sirius XM popped up on infotainment center AS I WAS DRIVING. This caused an unexpected interruption in my ability to drive safely. Subaru gives you zero option to opt out and I have repeatedly had this pop up on my screen. I bought and paid for this vehicle and they should not be allowed to place ANY ADS on the infotainment center.
visibility 3 complaints shown
1. Component/System Failure The rearview mirror became completely detached from its mounting on the windshield. The detached mirror is still available for inspection upon request. Subaru has declined my reasonable request to either repair it or reimburse me for the time and effort required to arrange and perform the repair. 2. Risk to Safety This sudden detachment posed a serious safety hazard. While driving, the mirror unexpectedly fell into my line of sight, causing me to brake immediately. Fortunately, this occurred while I was driving at low speed on a local road; had it happened on a highway, the risk of collision or a multi-vehicle accident would have been significant. 3. Problem Reproduction / Confirmation The issue has not yet been confirmed or replicated by any dealer or independe
I wanted to reach out to you about our new 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness. Subaru is having many issues with their thin windshields for 2023/2024 Crosstrek windshields. Our new vehicle has barely 2100 miles and the windshield has cracked in two places. Not from a rock chip and from normal highway driving. This is a safety issue. Normal to work driving, No off roading. I have been reading up on Subaru windshields and how they require constant repair/replacement. Subaru should issue a recall and install thicker windshields that meet higher safety standards. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
lighting 2 complaints shown
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.
Headlights on low beam have a very low distance reach. This is more apparent if you are going up or down an incline. On inclines, the Steering adaptive headlights change in such a way that you have very little distance in your sight. There is also a very sharp delineation of light vs dark at its maximum distance at even levels. This give the impression that you have good lighting at short distances then instant blackness. Once you reach a certain distance in the lighting your visual information stream is cut off completely. Worst headlights I have had in 45 years of driving. I wondered if I was going crazy. I looked up the same problem being described on forums. Some suggested write NHTSA and let you know of the problem. I believe it is a serious safety issue which interferes with
brakes 1 complaint shown
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek brakes engaged TWICE without the driver pushing on the brakes, slowing the car down significantly. The initial vehicle speed was around 65 mph on the highway, and slowed to around 45 mph after the second automatic braking incident occurred. Adaptive cruise control was NOT on. The car in front of the Crosstrek was 8-10 car lengths away. Then while the Crosstrek was still moving, a truck hit the back right bumper of the Crosstrek and pushed it into the next lane to the left. (I), the driver of the Crosstrek, was able to steer back into the original lane of travel to the right. After the Crosstrek was steered back to the original lane of travel, it came to a stop due to right rear axle damage. The Crosstrek driver was able to creep to the shoulder to wait for emerg
cruise control 1 complaint shown
When slowing to park, with foot on brake, vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly surged forward going up an incline, side-swiping the parked car to the right of the driver, without any action taken by the driver. Safety at risk from uncontrolled car during sudden unexpected acceleration. Reported hours after event, police report filed, insurance claim filed. Dashboard during the event light up with multiple indicators. No prior unusual symptoms.
tires 1 complaint shown
The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek equipped with Falken Tires, Tire Line: Ziex ZE001A A/S, Tire Size: 225/55/R18, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the front driver's side of the vehicle suddenly lowered. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road, where the contact became aware that the side wall of the front driver's side tire had blown out in 5 different places. The contact replaced the tire with the spare tire. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact completed some research and learned that the tire failure was a known failure. The tires were OEM tires, but the contact intended to replace all four tires. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.
airbags 1 complaint shown
The passenger front airbag does not always activate when my wife (who weighs [XXX][) sits in the seat. Car has been brought to the selling Dealer (Lester Glenn Subaru, Toms River, NJ). They state that the weight sensor under the front seat is calibrated correctly and there is nothing they can do about this issue. When I sit in the front passenger seat (I weigh [XXX] pounds) the airbag indicator light is always in the on position. I also own a 2024 Subaru Legacy and the same issue is evident with this vehicle. I will file a separate incident report on that vehicle. This is very frightening as we fear that if we get into an accident my wife will be severely injured or killed because her airbag will not deploy. We bought the car in June 2023; but did not notice this indicator light i