SubaruXV Crosstrek2015Overview/subaru/xv-crosstrek/2015/base/

2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 XV Crosstrek.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (AV-S6)

The 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek is a compact SUV built on Subaru’s well‑known boxer platform, powered by an automatic (AV‑S6) transmission and requiring 5.1 qt of 0W‑20 API oil for optimal operation. It delivers EPA‑rated fuel economy of 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, underscoring its efficient balance of performance and economy. In the broader reliability window of 2013‑2016, the XV Crosstrek’s 2015 model sits near the lower end of complaint volumes, with only 98 total owner complaints and a modest recall count of two, indicating a generally dependable platform during that period.

Model year201520142013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy26/33/29 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · NS CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI NS · NS CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnRELAYOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/55R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length175.2 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height63.8 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Curb weight3516 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 33 / 29 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the XV Crosstrek of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

10.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.30 sec — 2015 2.0i Limited Pzev
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20152.0i Limited Pzev 2.0L F-410.30 sec17.70 sec148 hpAWD
20152.0i Special Edition 2.0L F-410.30 sec17.90 sec148 hpAWD
2014Hybrid Touring 2.0L F-4 + Elec 0.6-kWh10.10 sec17.70 sec160 hpAWD
2014Hybrid Touring 2.0L F-4 + Elec 0.6-kWh10.40 sec17.90 sec160 hpAWD
20132.0i Premium 2.0L F-48.10 sec16.50 sec148 hpAWD
20132.0i Premium 2.0L F-48.80 sec16.60 sec148 hpAWD
20132.0i Limited 2.0L F-49.80 sec17.50 sec148 hpAWD
20132.0i Limited 2.0L F-410.00 sec17.50 sec148 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.1 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, 75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.43 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity8.5-9.0
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity8.5-8.9
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity8.7

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts15 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts63.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft/lbs.
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Transfer Case Fill Plug37.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugMetal
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug23.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub140 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)600-800 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Ignition TimingTubo: 10, Non Turbo: 16 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance10 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity16.00-16.20 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

RPM49-58 @ idle rpm
Engine CompressionTURBO / psi 196-254 / variance 14 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0039-0.0059 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0081-0.0095 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 20 /
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 59; Rear: 49 /; Front: 59; Rear: 48.7
ABS Sensor Torque5.5 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .870; Rear: .335
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 6.730

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt head washers and threads with clean engine oil

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
274.0 ft. lbs.74 ft. lbs
3Loosen bolts 360 degrees in reverse order360 degrees
415.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
531.0 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
6100 degrees100 degrees
7Bolts 1and2100 degrees
8Bolts 3,4,5,650 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Clutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Federal data positions the 2015 model year near the end of a volatile arc for this Crosstrek production run, with 98 complaints and 2 recalls sitting between the 2014 peak of 106 complaints and the dramatic 2016 collapse to just 3 complaints and zero recalls. While owner reports declined slightly from 2014, technical service bulletins reached their generational high at 419 units, significantly exceeding 2013’s 291 and indicating elevated manufacturer-directed service activity. The 2015 model carries the highest TSB volume of the range alongside complaint levels comparable to 2013-2014, with top categories including Unknown or Other, Power Train, Electrical System, and Engine, though the data does not specify underlying causes for these distributions. With 5 crash-related and 1 fire-related complaint recorded, the year shows typical risk exposure but no extraordinary safety signal distinct from adjacent model years. Given that 2016 models demonstrate significantly cleaner federal records, the 2015 represents the last year of higher reported activity before the generational improvement, making it a marginally riskier acquisition than the subsequent year though not the poorest choice of its cohort.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
419
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
98
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 98 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other14
Power Train13
Electrical System12
Engine11
Vehicle Speed Control4
Structure3
Service Brakes3
Air Bags3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V366000Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent BrakingReported 12/06/2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 419 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
16-156-25R2026-06-02Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
16-156-25R2026-05-13Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…
SubaruNet Announcement (R2026-05-04Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific XV Crosstrek. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 XV Crosstrek take?

5.1 qt of Synthetic 0W-20 API certified SM, SN, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 XV Crosstrek have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the XV Crosstrek get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 33 highway / 29 combined mpg.