2014 Subaru Crosstrek.
The 2014 Subaru Crosstrek is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 29 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 37, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 1 recall, and it gets 25 to 30 mpg combined. The best Subaru Crosstrek year is 2022.

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 107 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Subaru Crosstrek year. 2014 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 6K to 86K miles on the car (74 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 12K–80K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 49K–111K miles
Recalls 1
- lights 2019
Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Subaru told dealers about
Subaru sent dealers 424 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) only
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety

Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru XV Crosstrek SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2150–2550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
The car cannot move due to it is unable to shift out of park. The brake light doesnt come on --believe it is the brake switch sometime doesn't work dealer wont admit problem
2014 Subaru Crosstrek owner · NHTSA complaint 11057238
Quick answers
Is the 2014 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.7× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 37; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Crosstrek year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2014 Subaru Crosstrek problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (21%), speed control (14%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2014 Subaru Crosstrek have?
1 safety recall (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Subaru Crosstrek get?
25 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2014 Subaru Crosstrek safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2014 Subaru Crosstrek problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 6,800 and 86,000 miles. The middle report was at 49,500 miles, from 74 complaints.
Does the 2014 Subaru Crosstrek have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2014 Subaru Crosstrek cost in fuel a year?
About $2150 to $2550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2014 Subaru Crosstrek have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Subaru Crosstrek year is better than the 2014?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2013 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works