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Subaru XV I problems (2011–2017)

The only engine of the Subaru XV I that we have documented, the Subaru bóxer, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «Buy» for 1.6i 114 hp (FB16, 2011-2023) and 2.0i 150 hp (FB20, 2011-2018); «With caution» for 2.0 D 147-150 hp Euro 5 (EE20, 2010-2015) and 2.0 D 147-150 hp Euro 6 (EE20, 2015-2018).[1][2][3]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, the XV I has only two precautionary recalls, both from the United Kingdom: the brake light switch and the brake hoses on the last units. We have found no data on in-service faults. It is worth checking with the chassis number that they have been carried out.[2][4]

Subaru XV I (2011–2017)
Photo: Overlaet · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468106.8out of 10

Subaru XV I rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 6 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: it is based on few sources or few documented faults, so it is not included in the rankings. Having few documented faults does not mean it is reliable: it may simply be little studied. How it is calculated

  • Engine6.84 faults
  • Gearbox10.0No documented faults
  • Suspension4.1Technical inspection (ITV) only: 2.3 times the defects normal for its age
  • Brakes7.91 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering9.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.4 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Headlights and lights7.51 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior8.1Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

The weak points of the Subaru XV I

  1. 1High severity: Brake hoses with insufficient sealingBrakes
  2. 2Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter on the EE20 dieselSubaru bóxer engine
  3. 3Medium severity: Imprecise injectors and sooty EGR valve on the EE20 dieselSubaru bóxer engine
  4. 4Medium severity: Short-circuiting ignition coils on the Forester, XV and Impreza (2016-2019)Subaru bóxer engine
  5. 5Medium severity: Brake light switch with silicone ingressHeadlights and lights

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

2 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: DVSA R/2020/315: sealing of the brake hose fittings. See the campaigns for the Subaru XV I

6 sourcesHow we work

Subaru bóxer

Subaru bóxer (gasolina EJ and FB and diésel EE20)

In the XV I
2011–2017[1][5]
Names
1.6i · 2.0i · 2.0D
Faults that affect it
4 · 1 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
32
Moderate risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 2.0 D 147-150 hp Euro 5 (EE20, 2010-2015)2010–2015 · 147–150 hp · EE20

    With caution

    AUTO BILD sees an improvement from 2010, but its 2019 reader survey records engine problems in 32% of owners of the diesel XV I and it only advises the diesel for "true optimists"; insist on a service history, no oil leaks and a particulate filter in good condition.[1]

  • 1.6i 114 hp (FB16, 2011-2023)2011–2023 · 114 hp · FB16

    Buy

    AUTO BILD recommends the XV I's petrol engines without reservation; the only warning is to use the chassis number to check that the valve spring campaign was carried out on cars built in 2013-2014 (DVSA R/2019/025).[1][2]

  • 2.0i 150 hp (FB20, 2011-2018)2011–2018 · 150 hp · FB20

    Buy

    AUTO BILD recommends the XV I's petrol engines without reservation. Two British campaigns need checking: the valve springs on cars built in 2013-2014 and the ignition coils on those built from September 2016 to October 2019.[1][2]

  • 2.0 D 147-150 hp Euro 6 (EE20, 2015-2018)2015–2018 · 147–150 hp · EE20

    With caution

    AUTO BILD says the new 2015 block should bring peace of mind, but it still recommends the petrol engines and no source quantifies the failures of this version; same checks as on the Euro 5.[1][3]

Faults that affect the XV I

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The Subaru bóxer has 7 documented faults in total.

  1. Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlClogged particulate filter on the EE20 dieselThe particulate filter on the EE20 boxer diesel tends to clog, especially on those built up to the end of 2010 according to Gebrauchtwagenberater; AUTO BILD cites it on the XV I together with a rising oil level, among the diesel's problems.
  2. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionImprecise injectors and sooty EGR valve on the EE20 dieselThe EE20's Denso injectors can work imprecisely and produce a knocking noise, and soot in the injectors and EGR valve can lead to expensive repairs; AUTO BILD cites 500-800 euros per injector in Germany.
  3. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionShort-circuiting ignition coils on the Forester, XV and Impreza (2016-2019)Two British campaigns (2020 and 2021) affect 2,338 Forester, XV and Impreza cars built from September 2016 to October 2019: one reprograms the control unit because the coil stays powered after the engine is switched off, and the other replaces all the coils, which can short-circuit and leave the car unable to start.
  4. High severityFrequency: RareCylinder head and blockValve spring breakage on models built in 2013 and 2014In 2019 the DVSA recorded a recall for possible valve spring breakage on the Forester, Impreza, XV, Outback, Legacy and BRZ built in 2013 and 2014 (812 cars in the UK); the fix is to replace all the springs.

XV I Subaru bóxer pageAll versions and faults of the Subaru bóxer

Faults of the Subaru XV I outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

What the MOT inspection finds on the Subaru XV I

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 2,253 inspections of 750 cars registered between 2011 and 2016, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 10.6% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4.3%.

    Many more defects than average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 3.5% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4.4%.

    Average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.7%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 23.9% of inspections; in cars of its age, 16.9%.

    More defects than average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 1.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.9%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2.6%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 5.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4.2%.

    Average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 14.7% of inspections; in cars of its age, 16.8%.

    Average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Subaru XV I

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the Subaru bóxer (2011–2017)

Clogged particulate filter on the EE20 diesel

Medium severity

Imprecise injectors and sooty EGR valve on the EE20 diesel

Medium severity

Short-circuiting ignition coils on the Forester, XV and Impreza (2016-2019)

Medium severity

Valve spring breakage on models built in 2013 and 2014

High severity

Wear parts for the Subaru XV I

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

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Buying a Subaru XV I?

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Own a Subaru XV I? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Subaru XV I reliable?

The only engine of the Subaru XV I that we have documented, the Subaru bóxer, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «Buy» for 1.6i 114 hp (FB16, 2011-2023) and 2.0i 150 hp (FB20, 2011-2018); «With caution» for 2.0 D 147-150 hp Euro 5 (EE20, 2010-2015) and 2.0 D 147-150 hp Euro 6 (EE20, 2015-2018). Outside the engine, the XV I has only two precautionary recalls, both from the United Kingdom: the brake light switch and the brake hoses on the last units. We have found no data on in-service faults. It is worth checking with the chassis number that they have been carried out.

What problems does the Subaru XV I have apart from the engine?

Outside the engine, the XV I has only two precautionary recalls, both from the United Kingdom: the brake light switch and the brake hoses on the last units. We have found no data on in-service faults. It is worth checking with the chassis number that they have been carried out. The most important documented faults are: brake hoses with insufficient sealing (brakes, high severity) and brake light switch with silicone ingress (headlights and lights, medium severity).[2][4]

What faults does the Subaru XV I have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: clogged particulate filter on the EE20 diesel (Subaru bóxer, medium severity), imprecise injectors and sooty EGR valve on the EE20 diesel (Subaru bóxer, medium severity), short-circuiting ignition coils on the Forester, XV and Impreza (2016-2019) (Subaru bóxer, medium severity) and valve spring breakage on models built in 2013 and 2014 (Subaru bóxer, high severity).

What is the best year to buy a Subaru XV I?

According to our rating by year, the best are 2015, 2012 and 2011 (7.6/10); the worst rated is 2016 (6.8/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Subaru XV I have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 2 campaigns for the Subaru XV I, such as DVSA R/2020/315: sealing of the brake hose fittings (2020). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[2]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Subaru XV I im Gebrauchtwagen-Test: «Vorsicht vor dem Boxer-Diesel!»AUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 17 December 2019 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  2. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 9 October 2026
  3. Jak to działa: silnik Boxer Diesel w samochodach SubaruAutoblog (Spider's Web) · Motoring press · published 29 August 2018 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in another language
  4. Subaru XV: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 16 February 2024 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Subaru XVWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  6. Subaru Impreza III – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 6 September 2023 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German