Lemberg Law is investigating widespread consumer complaints about driver-side mirrors vibrating and shaking, especially when traveling at highway speeds. Consumers complain about headaches, visual problems, and safety issues. However, there doesn’t appear to be a solution in sight.
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What’s The Issue?
Complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that there are very definite problems with the driver-side mirror of both the Subaru Crosstrek and Ascent 2024 model year. Most complaints state that the problem has been evident since the day these SUVs were purchased and driven for the first time. Most state that dealerships confirm the problem but are unable to do anything to fix it. Replacing mirrors generally achieves nothing, even when they are upgraded to night-dimming mirrors. Replacing the mirror housing doesn’t seem to help either.
There are also several ongoing threads on Reddit and the Subaru XVForum that identify the same problem.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Complaint Summary
Complaint Category
Number of Complaints
Unknown Or Other
7
7
Exterior Lighting
6
6
Electrical System
4
4
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
4
4
Visibility/wiper
4
4
Service Brakes
3
3
Steering
3
3
Vehicle Speed Control
3
3
Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior
3
3
Engine
2
2
What Are Owners Experiencing?
The mirrors of these vehicles shake excessively while driving at highway speeds or on rough roads. The problem is the repercussions this has, from distracting or disorientating drivers to causing headaches and dizziness. It appears that dealers generally confirm that this is an issue but are unable to fix it. Some owners maintain that dealers confirm that the mirror shakes but refuse or are unable to do anything about it. Others say that dealers claim this is normal!
In mid-September, 2024, an owner was told after the dealership replaced the mirror, that the shaking was “because of (a) slight change to body style and mirror size.” They also confirmed that “it has this issue on the 2024 models.”
Most consumers are prompted to complain to the NHTSA because they identify the problem as a safety issue. “This mirror issue presents a huge safety hazard, as it is unreliable and useless to use. It is also a significant distraction while driving.” Others say it makes them sick. For instance, an owner reports that the vibrations cause dizziness when trying to “decipher what I’m looking at.”
Ascent Complaints
Complaints about 2024 Ascent driver-side mirrors are very similar. But they are all from different states, adding credibility to their grievances. For example, an owner from Texas complained in June 2024 that the “driver-side mirror vibrates and shakes excessively on rough roads or at highway speeds, making it difficult to use, especially at night. In contrast, the passenger-side mirror is stable at all speeds with minimal to no shaking. The dealer’s service department confirmed the problem and replaced the mirror but was unable to fix it, stating that nothing else could be done. The driver-side mirror has had this issue since the car was delivered from the dealer.”
An owner from Arkansas lodged an NHTSA complaint in July 2024 describing exactly the same problem. In this case, the dealership confirmed the problem and was working on finding a solution. In contrast, the complaint states, “the passenger-side mirror is stable at all speeds with minimal to no shaking.”
An owner from Virginia states that the vibration gets worse as speed increases.
An owner from Maryland stated in a complaint issued in April 2024 that the “driver-side mirror has (a) vibration that increases with speed. At highway speeds, it is difficult to safely see the lane next to you, especially if there is a vehicle behind you with their headlights on.” The dealership replaced the vehicle’s mirror glass and housing, but it made no difference. The mirror continued to vibrate. Like the Arkansas complainant, this owner states that there is no observable vibration with the passenger side mirror. Nevertheless, the local dealership told the owner there was nothing more they could do to eliminate the vibration!
A complaint from Arizona states that the vibration makes the mirror unusable. It confirms that “Subaru is unable to repair the problem.” Another Maryland owner agrees, stating that “it affects the ability to see anything in the mirror.”
Crosstrek Complaints
An owner from Pennsylvania tells how the 2024 Crosstrek driver’s outside mirror started shaking when the SUV was “brand new”, with less than 400 miles on the clock. The complaint states that there was a “massive blur” and it caused the headlights to “dance” around. The mirror also seemed to be “buzzy.” This was “quite distracting and disorienting when checking for safe lane changes.”
The local dealer “took a look at it,” and reported that it was “operating as designed.” The technical person said, “The mirror glass itself does shake but that is going to be normal because of how the mirror glass sits in the housing.” The owner’s response was, “I’m sorry, there’s no way that a mirror should be shaking like that. The inside rearview mirror is pristine. The passenger side doesn’t shake. It’s the driver’s mirror, and now two Subaru employees have confirmed some shake, but won’t do anything about it. This is a safety issue.”
An owner from Ohio states that when driving faster than 50 mph, the mirror shakes and vibrates. “This causes the picture to be extremely blurry, and makes it hard to discern other cars. I believe it to be a very real visibility issue for highway driving.”
Other Online Discussion
CrossTrek Discussion
The owner of a 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness started the conversation in about October 2023. The SUV had done a little more than 1k miles. “I noticed a lot of shaking in the glass itself on the driver-side mirror. I took it to my dealership today to get it fixed. But they told me that it was normal and by design, which baffles me since it doesn’t do it on the right side.” His question was, “Is anyone else experiencing the same issue? If so, did you take it to the dealership to get it resolved?”
Responses have been varied.
They said a mount in the mirror assembly was broken and replaced the whole mirror assembly. But the new driver’s side mirror vibrates just as bad…
Another owner who got a replacement said the Crosstrek was also in the shop for rattling issues on other parts of the car. They replaced the mirror again, and it still vibrates. He was told that Subaru hasn’t acknowledged the issue yet.
I’ve noticed a little bit of shaking — enough to slightly blur the license plates of overtaking cars. But I can see the cars just fine. I kinda thought it was related to me cranking up the music.
My Premium driver’s side mirror still vibrates even after tire pressure adjustment. They have a replacement ordered, but it sounds like it will not make a difference.
Some owners think it has something to do with tire pressure. “I noticed that most Crosstreks come with tires filled up to 40 psi, even though the recommended tire pressure is 33 in the front and 32 in the rear. I dropped mine down from 40 to the recommended psi and the vibration was drastically reduced. It still occurs but not as bad.”
CrossTrek Discussion
Ironically, even though there are more complaints about the Ascent on the NHTSA website, the conversation on Reddit only began in about May 2024. The owner of a 2024 Limited Onyx Ascent, with less than 1,000 miles, states that, “The driver side rearview mirror shakes considerably which makes it distracting when driving on the highway. Passenger side mirror is solid and does not shake. Everything works on both mirrors (proximity lights, adjustments, tilt when reverse, fold when parked). I took it to the dealership and they say it is normal.”
There are many responses advising him to report the issues, For example, “Not normal at all. Escalate it with the service manager. If he won’t help, try a different dealer, or call SOA (Subaru of America) to advocate for you with your dealer.” Another advises, “Refuse to take the car back until it’s fixed.” However, that is probably not good advice as there is evidence that mirror replacements don’t fix the problem.
Discussion on the Subaru XVForum
The owner of a 2024 Crosstrek Onyx started a discussion in July 2023 because his driver-mirror was vibrating at highway speeds and on uneven pavements. He said he had attempted to tighten the mirror assembly. But it wasn’t the assembly that was shaking, rather the glass.
A few people on the forum state that they had mirrors and/or the housing replaced, and it did work. Others state it either didn’t make any difference, or Subaru was unable to help. Like other complaints, most confirm that it is only the driver-side mirror that vibrates, and only at highway speeds.
In November 2023, the “discussion starter” stated that “Subaru Canada is now getting reports from dealers that customers are experiencing mirror vibration. It will need to be investigated and a potential repair implemented at some point. There is currently no repair procedure or timeline.” In January 2024, he posted that the dealership had ordered a replacement mirror assembly and would install it as soon as it arrived. A month later, he posted that it had made no difference.
There’s a good chance that the problem isn’t going away anytime soon. There is also evidence that it isn’t only the 2024 Crosstrek and Ascent that are affected. The owner of a new 2025 Subaru Forester reports that “the driver side mirror vibrates on the highway but (the) passenger side is stable.”
Someone else on the forum was told by a dealer that it is also a problem with the 2025 Forester and the Centaur. A service associate said “that Crosstrek had this issue and (said) replacing mirror assembly didn’t fix it.” Subaru of Canada issued a bulletin stating dealers should not replace it until a solution/new part was ready. “They are hoping to do the same with ’25 Forester.”
What Should You Do if Your Crosstrek or Ascent Has a Mirror that Shakes?
If the driver-side mirror of your 2024 Subaru Ascent or Crosstrek vibrates and shakes, Lemberg Law would like to hear about it. Let us know by filling out a contact form or calling our Helpline. We’ll assess your case and you may be eligible to join our new class action investigation.
It’s not going to cost you anything because the law says Subaru must pay the legal bills for lemon law cases.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
