[Magdaddy]

my experience might not exactly apply but...my 14 5spd manual XV was delivered last Feb, Nokian ice/snow tires were immediately mounted on the stock wheels for winter use. Even with the dedicated winter rubber, the car wandered, and exhibited bizarre yaw/tc/vdc characteristics. I immediately did the VDC bypass switch mod, and noticed a significat improvement. Yes cruise control, hill holder, and other stuff drops out too, but carcontrol was noticeably inproved.

Last spring, I lowered the XV 3" F&R, had a competent shop do an alignment, installed a larger adj rear sway bar, and front sturt tower brace. Winter came early this year here in Central New York, winter wheelset went back on two weeks ago. I have had a half dozen oppourtunities to drive the car on snow covered, slushy, windy conditions...it drives completely different this year than last.

-Lowered ride height helped
-proper alignment helped
-VDC bypass helped
-larger rear sway helps scoot out the rear end when you want it too.

In a nutshell, very stable, and confidence inspiring.

 

[ORANGEMECH]

My wife and I have also experienced that weird sensation with our 2014 Crosstrek when the car seemingly starts to become very nervous when on slight snow and ice, even worse when there is wind involved. Continually seems like the rear wants to slip out even when reducing speed and staying on straight line with no changes in speed. I have Nokkian winter tires on as well so cannot understand the cause as I have been driving for ages and never had that feeling expect with older rear wheel drive vehicles in snow and ice.

Following other comments on this site, I went and had the alignment checked today and everything was right on so the issue would seem to come from elsewhere. The mechanic who worked on my car has 37 years in the business and he suspects that it is the traction control/stability control system which is much too sensitive and which reacts far too fast for the car. He thinks the software is telling the car to adjust itself and before the car even has the chance to do so the software is again sending more instructions which then leads to that unstable feeling in the car. I have to take the car in for service in not too long and I intend to have a chat with the service manager on this to see where that might lead.

 

[jamesxv]

Not discounting your mechanics assessment but others, as have I, have had dealerships and others deem the alignment within spec but I knew something wasn't right so I went to another mechanic and they adjusted the rear toe-in. All good now. Always get a printout of the alignment readings (before and after). We can take a quick look and tell you if something looks off.

 

[ORANGEMECH]

Further to my earlier comments, got word back from the service manager at my Subaru dealership whom I had asked to call Subaru Canada to get some
comments about the unstable nature of the Crosstrek. Firstly, the service manager told me that he also experienced this same problem but on several Outbacks and that
he solved it by changing the type of snow tires. He could not remember what type of snow tire caused the problem nor even if it was downsized tires.

After talking to Subaru Canada, he told me that there are no reported problems with the electronic systems in the car and so it would seem that it is an issue that revolves
around the tires themselves. He suspects that firstly my one downsizing of the tires for winter is at cause and secondly that the type of winter tire may also be at fault. Subaru
Canada offers no solutions nor do they recommend one type of winter tire over another so their conclusion seems to be that we should install winter tires on the same rims
that came with the vehicle and hope that the make of winter tire that is installed will solve the problem. Let's just say that my overall opinion of Subaru has taken quite
a nosedive.

 

[peytonracer4]

Many people on this site, me included, have solved this problem with a proper alignment. It seems that the factory alignment on the crosstrek is crap. Get a before and after spec sheet to see what was changed.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[afisher67]

I know this thread is a little dated now, but I wanted to check in and see if anyone has had any other updates or advancements with their yaw issues. I'm experiencing the same issue with yaw movement on snow/ice above 40mph on our 2014 Crosstrek.

We'll be taking it in this winter for an alignment check and getting the spec sheets. Whenever that happens, I'll be sure to share my results. (This seems to be the most thorough thread on the topic)

 

[jamesxv]

Mine has been great every since I got a proper alignment done. Very stable at high speeds on the snow.

 

[afisher67]

Thanks for the quick response. Would you recommend taking it in to an actual Subaru dealership to have the alignment done or just any trustworthy source who can do the job?

 

[rlouie]

Thanks for the quick response. Would you recommend taking it in to an actual Subaru dealership to have the alignment done or just any trustworthy source who can do the job?

With the wide range of responses from members, going to the dealer to get it done isn't any better in terms of odds than going to a random shop.

The key seems to be if the shop/dealer will give you a report on what the alignment numbers are BEFORE the alignment was done and AFTER it was done to compare what was actually done. We have had reports from members who have dropped their car at the shop/dealer to get it done, paid the bill, and didn't get a BEFORE/AFTER report to find out that the problem still existed. It turns out that NOTHING was done other than lightening of the wallet by the shop/dealer. A good shop will provide you with a report. A great shop will provide you with the BEFORE as a estimate and will only charge you when the alignment is complete so you know what the problem was.

 

[Closed Case]

Thanks for the quick response. Would you recommend taking it in to an actual Subaru dealership to have the alignment done or just any trustworthy source who can do the job?

You have great places in Denver, CO

Alignments – Alignment Specialists Denver

Japanese Specialist

 

[KJoFan]

Thanks for the quick response. Would you recommend taking it in to an actual Subaru dealership to have the alignment done or just any trustworthy source who can do the job?

When I had my Crosstrek and the same problem you are experiencing, I took mine back to the dealer as I felt it was a flaw with the car they should address. I got before/after reports both times I took it in to have the alignment worked on. The dealer didn't charge for either trip, so they did well. But, in the end it did not resolve the issue for me. The only thing that resolved the problem for me was to trade the Crosstrek for an Impreza and I couldn't be happier, except I still admire the look of the Crosstrek and may explore it as an option again when I'm looking.

 

[afisher67]

Thanks for the input everyone. I plan on getting before and after reports to do a comparison and for my records. The speculation behind the question about going to a Subaru dealership is to find a trustworthy source. Since Subaru hasn't really acknowledged this issue (at least from the vibe on these forums), I don't know how apt they'd be to being completely transparent with my issue.

Thanks for the local options too! I'll be looking into them more this week.

 

[rlouie]

Since Subaru hasn't really acknowledged this issue (at least from the vibe on these forums), I don't know how apt they'd be to being completely transparent with my issue.

I don't think it's so much that Subaru has or has not acknowledged this issue as the issue does seem to go away (for most members) by having the alignment in specification so really it's a matter of ensure that the car was in specification to begin with. Many Crosstreks were delivered with their alignment in specification (hence not everyone has the issue) while others (a relatively small number) for some reason or another were not within specification.

Since the specification seems to work in most cases, the issue isn't with Subaru or their specification per say (as the original design does work) but more with the dealers themselves on how much they understand what happens when the car performs like this and how to fix it. Also, you can say that Subaru may not have a tight enough policy on the quality of work done by the dealership or details on how the work is to be performed (as well as the needed follow-ups to ensure that the dealerships are doing it the way they are supposed to).

 

[afisher67]

Well, I made it to 2 places this week. The first stop was to the Subaru dealership. They were able to run an alignment check for free and came up with the user friendly report showing that the rear toe was out of spec. Since I was there, I was hoping to get this adjustment made under the factory 3-year warranty. (2014's get "one free adjustment" in their warranty) Unfortunately, because we only felt this "floating" feeling on snowy/icy roads above 40 mph it was deemed a "conditional" issue, not a manufacturer defect so they wouldn't cover the alignment.

Spot #2 brought me to Closed Case's recommendation of Japanese Specialists. Nice folks and a sweet, old dog in the lobby. They were able to provide a more detailed before and after showing everything (excluding caster) to be adjusted in to spec.

Now that I know the alignment is squared away, the Crosstrek will get put to the test when we go skiing this weekend. Fingers crossed.

 

[Rorgaard]

I'm late to the party but this is normal for the XV, mine does it too. It'll do a little 'wobble' before the dash light starts flashing, which I see as a helpful indication I need to slow down or pay closer attention.

I'm pretty sure it's caused by power transferring around... and while it may feel like the car's wobbling and about to fishtail, it really isn't. I've done a lot of driving on ice and snow and as long as the light on the dash isn't flashing at you, everything's cool.

 

[DK_XV]

I've noticed that getting a little twitchy, but I was doing 60mph/100Kph on ice. But it never tripped the VDC, i could just feel the car skating on the ice. Slowed down a bit and it was fine. Granted, that is way fast for ice, and light cars can change direction quickly, whether intended or not.

Also, the Crosstrek uses tires that are 30mm wider than what an Impreza uses. On ice, wider does not mean better, so you might be noticing that.

 

[christine48322]

afisher67, how'd you do? I'm just now having this problem with a 2014 Crosstrek, just as you described it, fishtailing over 40mph on slightly snowcovered roads. I have the original tires at 46k with plenty of tread, but this new issue is giving me fits. We're on a skiing vacation and I don't want a white-knuckled ride home if I know an alignment will fix the sway.
(add in a new-to-me cargo box on the roof, some wind and the expletives were flying!)

 

[Closed Case]

I've noticed a difference with a Perrin steering dampener lockdown. There is "ever so much" slack in the steering [re:rubbery] that given the projectory, it can allow enough play for the steering to be tracky [eg. crowned roads, etc]

Steering Dampener Lockdown

 

[rlouie]

afisher67, how'd you do? I'm just now having this problem with a 2014 Crosstrek, just as you described it, fishtailing over 40mph on slightly snowcovered roads. I have the original tires at 46k with plenty of tread, but this new issue is giving me fits. We're on a skiing vacation and I don't want a white-knuckled ride home if I know an alignment will fix the sway.
(add in a new-to-me cargo box on the roof, some wind and the expletives were flying!)

With the cargo box, I would also look at getting the 20mm RSB for general all around improved drivability. According to folks who have done it, the upsized RSB cuts down the affects of cross winds when driving on an highway.

 

[techrat]

Count me in as well. I am experiencing the same white knuckle driving issues on slush/snow/ice at higher speeds. every car I have ever owned (been driving for 29yrs) performed better in the winter on the highway. I am
scared to merge if there's a ridge of slush because the car reacts wildly to it. I have dedicated studded/winters (cooper weather-master wsc) . I don't drive too fast for road conditions, and baby my car. I am going to try the
alignment, hopefully that will help but I don't have my hopes up. This car is a beast in any conditions at 50km/hr and under. Unfortunately for me I drive 120kms per day on the highway.

2015 sport - ice silver, 36000kms