Where's the line?
Two research teams read owner forums, Subaru service bulletins, NHTSA recalls and parts catalogs, and a skeptic checked each team's work. Here is what's normal to carry on this car and what isn't.
Your list, sorted
| Issue | Verdict | What to do | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snapped lug stud | Fix now | Replace the stud; check the other studs; torque 89 ft-lb (confirm in the owner's manual), by hand, not an impact gun. | part ~$2 + labor |
| Swerve under braking / control arm | Check first | Ask the screwdriver question below. Replace the arm only if the crack goes all the way through and is wider than ½ inch, or the arm or ball joint is loose. | if needed: ~$450–750 both sides + alignment |
| Belt chirp with the A/C | When convenient | New belt + A/C idler pulley in the same visit as other work. Urgent only if it squeals constantly, the A/C grinds, or the battery light comes on. | ~$90 parts + ~1 hr |
| Hatch button dead | Live with it | Swap in the switch you ordered (63270-FJ000). | ~$30, done |
| Interior lights flicker | Live with it | New bulbs first. Only chase it further if the battery dies again (ask for a "parasitic drain test"). | $0–50 |
| Passenger airbag codes | Watch | If the dash airbag light is off and "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" switches correctly with an adult seated, they're old codes. | $0 |
| Brake pedal dips when A/C cycles | Normal | Only a problem if the pedal sinks, goes soft, or a brake light comes on. | $0 |
| Oil burning (FB20 engine) | Normal if mild | Check the dipstick every 2–3 fill-ups and top it up. | ~$8/quart |
| CVT (transmission) | Watch: biggest risk | Already serviced. Shudder, slipping or a growing whine = get it checked before driving far. Subaru's extended warranty has ended for this car. | repair ~$1,200–2,000+ |
The control arm: the key finding
Subaru tells its own technicians not to replace this bushing for small cracks. Service bulletin 03-94-24 (2024): push a flat screwdriver into the crack and measure it. Only cracks that go all the way through the rubber count, and only if they're wider than ½ inch. Surface cracks and smaller through-cracks "will not cause any functional concerns." Subaru wrote it "to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement."
So "a new one tore again in 4 months" may just be normal cracking called a tear. Other possible causes: the bolts were tightened with the wheels hanging (they must be tightened with the car's weight on them), a bad part, or another worn part.
But your car swerves under braking, and the bulletin only judges ride quality. So before skipping it, ask:
- "Is the crack through the rubber side to side, and how wide with a screwdriver in it, per Subaru bulletin 03-94-24?"
- "Is the ball joint tight?"
- "Is the $1,000+ for one arm or both, and does it include the alignment?"
If the bushing passes, the swerve is more likely tires, tire pressure, a sticking brake, a CV axle or a wheel bearing, all cheaper to fix. No recall or design-flaw notice exists for this arm on the gas 2015 Crosstrek.
Free check: recalls
- 19V149, the brake-light switch (brake lights can fail; a CVT can get stuck in Park). Your Carfax shows "brake light switch replaced" at Sport Subaru in 2018 and 2020, so this is probably already done.
- 15V366, EyeSight automatic braking. It only applies if the car was built Oct 16, 2014 – Apr 15, 2015: check the build month on the driver's door-jamb sticker.
Easiest: enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Any open recall is fixed free at a Subaru dealer.
What usually comes next at this mileage
- Wheel bearings, especially the rear: a hum or howl that rises with speed. ~$400–700 per corner.
- CV axles: clicking when turning and accelerating. ~$500.
- Struts: bouncy ride or a leak. ~$400 per corner with an alignment.
For the mechanic (copy-paste)
Parts and prices
| Part | Number | Price found |
|---|---|---|
| Front wheel stud | 28365FE001 (Dorman 610-566) | ~$2.20 |
| Front lower control arm, left | 20202FJ050 (now FJ051) · Dorman 528-253 | ~$224 OEM · ~$96 |
| Front lower control arm, right | 20202FJ040 (now FJ041) · Moog RK623560 | ~$224 OEM · ~$143 |
| Accessory belt | 809221210 (may now be 23780AA130) | ~$32 |
| A/C idler pulley | 23770AA070 | ~$54 |
| Alignment (after arm work) | needs a shop with an alignment machine | ~$100–150 |
Prices are online listings, not quotes. Unconfirmed: the tensioner part number, a Crosstrek-specific labor price for the stud and belt, and whether the stud swap needs the hub removed. Full team reports, with every source: Personal Hub → car-research.