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Top issues
12 known problems · 3 high
high
Takata passenger airbag recall (early 2017 builds)
All engines
high
Lineartronic CVT shudder / judder and lock-up clutch
2.0i petrol (FB20D)
high
Lineartronic CVT shudder / lock-up (shared with petrol)
2.0i Hybrid (e-Boxer)
Recalls
3 on recordREC-001222
2019-11-04
Defect: The aluminium positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may fracture, allowing the engine to draw an increased amount of engine oil.
Hazard: May cause excessive exhaust smoke and possibly an unexpected loss of engine power.
Remedy: Contact an authorised Subaru dealer for inspection and repair, free of charge.
Affected: 25,329 units, XV & Impreza 2016-2019 (campaign SRT282)
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-30
REC-001604
2021-06-02
Defect: Rear stabiliser bracket bolts may not have been sufficiently tightened during production.
Hazard: A loose stabiliser bracket could affect vehicle handling.
Remedy: Contact an authorised Subaru dealer for inspection and repair, free of charge.
Affected: 38,755 units, XV & Forester sold 21 April 2017 - 24 August 2020
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-30
REC-005485
2022-08-03
Defect: Due to a manufacturing issue, the Electronic Park Brake (EPB) adaptor cord connector may not operate as intended.
Hazard: The vehicle may move or roll away while the EPB is engaged in the park position.
Remedy: Book a free rectification at any authorised Subaru Service Centre.
Affected: 78,617 units shared across 2015-2018 Liberty, Outback, Levorg & WRX and 2017-2019 Impreza & XV (campaign SRT324)
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-30
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Before and after
Before: XV GP (2012-2017)
After: Crosstrek (2023-, the XV was renamed)
Price (AUD)
$18k-$38k
Body styles
5-door wagon (raised hatch/crossover)
Drivetrain
Symmetrical full-time AWD
Origin
Japan
Built in
Japan
Overview
The second-generation XV (chassis code GT, built on the Subaru Global Platform) was sold in Australia from May 2017 as 2.0i, 2.0i-L, 2.0i Premium and 2.0i-S, with the Hybrid (e-Boxer) range added late in 2020. It is a Impreza hatch on stilts: 220mm of clearance, genuine full-time Symmetrical AWD (a real advantage over the front-drive-biased soft-roader crowd) and X-Mode for slippery surfaces, but only modest 2.0L outputs and a CVT. Every Australian XV GT uses the naturally-aspirated FB20 boxer four with a timing chain and a Lineartronic CVT - there was no diesel, no turbo and no manual in this generation here. The defining caveats are the Lineartronic CVT (low-speed shudder/judder, torque-converter lock-up and fluid degradation), the FB20's appetite for oil, and a leisurely drivetrain that feels underdone when loaded or climbing. Crash safety, AWD traction and Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist suite are the strong suits; outright performance and towing are not. Early (2017) cars fall under the broad Subaru Takata passenger-airbag recall - confirm rectification before buying.
Engines & variants
2.0i petrol (FB20D)
Engine
2.0L direct-injection DOHC boxer (flat-four), Active Valve Control
Engine code
FB20D
Config
Flat-4 (boxer) NA
Displacement
1995cc
Power
115kW @ 6000rpm
Torque
196Nm @ 4000rpm
Drivetrain
Symmetrical full-time AWD
Economy
7.0 L/100km combined (claimed); 8-9 real world
Tow (braked)
1400kg (2.0i-S, lower on base grades)
Tow (unbraked)
600-670kg
Transmission
Lineartronic CVT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (maintenance-free for life under normal use)
Pros
- Genuine full-time Symmetrical AWD - better traction than front-drive rivals
- Timing chain, no belt-change cost
- 220mm clearance plus X-Mode for light off-road and snow
- 5-star ANCAP and EyeSight driver assist on most grades
- Cheap to run and service, big dealer/parts network
Cons
- Only 115kW/196Nm - slow when loaded, on hills or overtaking
- FB20 is a known oil-consumer; needs level checks between services
- CVT droning under acceleration and the usual Lineartronic shudder risk
- Direct injection means intake-valve carbon over time
- Modest tow rating and small towball download
Known problems
high
Lineartronic CVT shudder / judder and lock-up clutch
The Lineartronic CVT can shudder or judder at low speed, typically just after warm-up and under light throttle from a stop, caused by torque-converter lock-up clutch behaviour and degraded CVT fluid friction modifiers. Subaru's Lineartronic has been the subject of warranty extensions and overseas class actions; left unaddressed the chain/pulleys wear.
Fix: Fresh genuine Subaru CVT fluid plus the dealer relearn/recalibration often resolves shudder; severe or slipping cases need a torque-converter or full CVT replacement. Check for shudder on a cold test drive.
medium
High oil consumption (FB20)
The FB20 boxer is a documented oil consumer; some examples use noticeable oil between services, and running low worsens engine noise, vibration and VVT operation. Severe consumers may eventually need ring/short-engine work.
Fix: Check oil level regularly between services, use only the specified low-viscosity oil and shorten intervals; monitor consumption on any car being considered.
low
Intake-valve carbon (direct injection)
Direct-injection FB20D engines can build carbon on the intake valves over time (no port fuel to wash them), causing rough idle, misfire or lost smoothness.
Fix: Walnut-blast or chemical intake clean; quality fuel and regular highway running help.
low
Battery drain / electrical niggles
Owners report flat batteries and minor electrical/infotainment glitches (Starlink screen freezes, reversing camera dropouts) on the GT-series cars.
Fix: Software updates, battery replacement; check the multimedia and camera work on inspection.
2.0i Hybrid (e-Boxer)
Engine
2.0L DOHC boxer four with integrated mild/parallel hybrid motor and lithium-ion battery
Engine code
FB20 e-Boxer
Config
Flat-4 (boxer) NA + electric motor
Displacement
1995cc
Power
110kW petrol + 12.3kW motor (120kW combined potential)
Torque
196Nm petrol + 66Nm motor (254Nm combined potential)
Drivetrain
Symmetrical full-time AWD
Economy
6.5 L/100km combined (claimed); ~7-8 real world
Tow (braked)
1270kg
Tow (unbraked)
600kg
Transmission
Lineartronic CVT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (maintenance-free for life under normal use)
Pros
- Slightly better economy and lower-speed smoothness than the plain petrol
- Retains full-time Symmetrical AWD and X-Mode
- Quieter, more relaxed take-off thanks to electric assist
- Same robust timing-chain boxer base
- EyeSight and 5-star safety carried over
Cons
- Mild hybrid - small battery, only modest fuel and performance gain for the price premium
- Hybrid hardware (battery under boot) cuts cargo space
- Still uses the Lineartronic CVT with the same shudder risk
- Heavier than the petrol, so not noticeably quicker
- Hybrid battery is an unknown long-term cost out of warranty
Known problems
high
Lineartronic CVT shudder / lock-up (shared with petrol)
The Hybrid uses the same Lineartronic CVT and suffers the same low-speed shudder/judder and torque-converter lock-up issues as the petrol when fluid degrades.
Fix: Genuine CVT fluid plus dealer relearn; replacement in severe cases. Test on a cold start.
medium
12V battery and hybrid system warnings
e-Boxer cars are sensitive to a weak 12V battery, which can trigger hybrid-system and EyeSight warning lights and no-starts; the small lithium drive battery is a long-term cost unknown out of warranty.
Fix: Keep the 12V battery healthy; have any hybrid/EyeSight fault scanned. Confirm hybrid-battery health and warranty status pre-purchase.
medium
Oil consumption (FB20 base)
The hybrid still uses the FB20 boxer and can exhibit the same oil-consumption tendency.
Fix: Regular level checks, correct oil grade, shorter intervals.